Alec Empire – Intelligence And Sacrifice

Each Alec Empire produced album is unique and feels like a closed story of its own.
While this release picks up on the early DHR formula with sped up gabber drums, guitar noize and violent shouts, it turns it into something quite different. There is more a metal, rock, industrial feel to it, especially in its production intricacies. And believe me, these sounds are destined to be played on a huge sound system, maybe a rock arena or festival...
The lyrics are more aggressive and on point than ever... the path of destruction to the new world order.
Intermingled with this are tracks with a slower, deep and haunting punch, including my favorite, "The Ride".

And then there is CD2 - the "Intelligence" part, I presume.
This is a return to and step onwards from alec's experimental electronic path.
A bit like the mille plateaux or rauschen releases - but also distinct from it.

What's the difference between the limited and regular versions, aside from cover art?

Alec Empire's "Nu Metal" album (but not so much mainstream sounding) certainly packs a punch. The removal of his trademark amen break destroyer style is abscent here as he killed one year with Vs. Elvis Presley, but instead his sound is now backed by distorted noisey synths courtesy of Nic Endo, plenty of punk/metal attitude and heavy use of the gabber kick. It is noted how pissed and angry Empire sounds on this one record as "Everything starts with a fuck" is a brutal track from the word go. there's even some sampling of Napalm Death on some of the tracks. its a shame Empire seemingly got weaker after this release, not to mention his ATR reunion.

in a interesting story Foo Fighter Dave Ghrol appears on the "Tear It Out", as Empire was supposed to appear on his Probot project. When Probot was finally released, Empire's contribution was not used. Instead, the track was re-recorded with new lyrics and vocals by Mike Dean of Corrosion of Conformity and it became known as "Access Babylon".

A truly wonderful record, especially CD1. Track 9, "Intelligence & Sacrifice" is one of the most brutal and powerful tracks ever made by Empire in my opinion. Also, Noizy Nic Endo is doing great job with her machines as always, through the entire first cd. CD2 shows more of Alec´s calmer side. It´s dark, purely intstrumental and melancholic, and is a perfect contrast to the distorted guitars and earshattering screams from cd1. Great job on this one Alec!