Search - Noise Unit :: Strategy of Violence

EBM still works (against some prejudices)

D. M. MATALLIN | Valencia, Spain | 11/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you like FLA's 'Gashed senses and Crossfire' and especially 'Caustic Grip', as well as other older bands such as DAF, then you'll like this cd.
It's made by Leeb and Fulber, so it could be claimed perfectly as a FLA cd, somewhat a sequel to 'Caustic Grip'. But maybe it's unfair to call this album a sequel, 'cos it deserves full rights to be considered a very good album. The sounds used are similar to Caustic Grip, but still you can recognise a different attitude. 'Strategy of violence' has not the catchy choruses of FLa albums, it's maybe more direct, more agressive. At the same time, it incorporates elements from techno ('Kick to kill', 'Hollow ground'), ambient ('The passage'), as well as stmes renders a tribute to old EBM ('Alle gegen alles', 'hate you feel')
Leeb's voice is maybe more distorted, but you can still recognise his singing. (well, stmes)
If you liked Noise unit's 'Response Frequency', you'll appreciate the improvements displayed in this album. If you want to know more exctly how these songs sound, bear in mind FLA's 'Overkill' as maybe the most similar thing.
At first, the songs seem quite similar but then after some listenings you can begin to appreciate their differences. However, it can't be denied that these songs have a similar flavour among them.
'Corroded decay' (8/10): begins the album with strength. After some voice samples, the song begins. Heavy basslines, good electronics, distorted agressive voice and guitars play an important role in it. It could have been perfectly in 'Caustic Grip'. One of the best.'Hollow Ground' (6/10): the song begins with a very militaristic beat which appears throughout the whole song. It's a more techno song, techno-EBM could be called. A quite annoying sound spoils the song, you'll recognise it when you hear it. A pity. My finger can't stmes avoid to press the skip button.'Hate you feel' (7.5/10): this song reminds me stmes to Nitzer Ebb, stmes to the songs on 'pleasure of Penetration' by Leaether strip. Typical old EBM beats, distorted voice, quite good, but maybe lacks a catchier chorus.'Assault' (8/10): interesting beginning, somewhat deleriumesque, that is, more atmospherical, but soon an EBm song begins. Listen to it carefully, and you'll maybe recognise some similarities (especially in the first verses and the intonation) with FLA's 'Barcode'. Obviously the sounds have nothing to do. It's quite agressive but at the same time catchy.'Carnage' (8.5/10): maybe my fav. It's similar to the others, but the voice is less distorted and catchier. It has some nice melody at the middle of the song and at the end, and interesting electronic sounds. It would have been a pleasure to listen to it among the 'Caustic Grip' bunch. Quite good.'Kick to Kill' (8/10): another good song. It begins with more technoish sounds, it's a sort of techno-EBM song. good chorus, agressive enough to sound like FLA. it stucks into your head.'Alle gegen alles' (7.5/10): it seems like a tribute or homage to DAF. Sung in German, primitive beats, typical synthesiser melody that repeats all over the song. The voice is more agressive and deeper, some samples smell of FLA, but this song ccould have fitted any DAF album. 'The Passage' (8.5/10): this song fits any Delerium album of the time. Atmospherical, it delays a couple of minutes to actually start with the beat. I cann't deny I love those instrumental songs of Leeb. Vey good. some think it's out of place on the album. I always appreciate good instrumental songs in Leeb cds, they give them a change in atmosphere, a sort of breath among the EBM assault.'no fear-No pain' (8/10): I think this used to be an extra track. now can be considered part of the album. Quite old EBMish, it reminds me of FLA's 'Overkill'. Minimalistic, repetitive though quite good. Tje chorus stucks into your head, precise and direct.This album deserves the money it costs. Maybe less catchy than 'Caustic Grip' and 'Tactical Neural Implant', I think that not to own it means to miss a step in FLA or Leeb's evolution. Try it."

One of Leeb's best releases ever

David Stallard | Columbus, OH United States | 06/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD when it was brand new and only available as an import. It was amazing then, and it still stands up well today. Strategy of Violence is full of riffs that are much more complex than what Leeb had done in earlier releases. In fact, if you listen to Frontline Assembly's Hard Wired album, you can hear how many of its riffs were heavily influenced by what they had done years earlier on Strategy of Violence. Almost every track on this album has some element that makes you sit up and take notice...something that goes above and beyond the typical Leeb/Fulber release."