Assemblage 23 is perhaps on the best finds in the EBM/Electro-Industrial scene. While not in the same league as Apoptygma Berzerk, Covenant or VNV Nation, Mr. Shear's brand brings the next best thing, blowing all imitators and second rate bands out of the water! Shear's blend of high production techniques and lyrics of humanity are simply irresistable! Contempt claims to be performed on a single synth multitrack, but sounds like a well done and produced studio album. Not his best work, as some songs sounds sound a bit similar to others, but still a good find. By the time of Defiance and on, Shear nails each track with excellent precision! Pick this one up! 3.5/5

Though Failure was a somber masterpiece, and Defiance was decent, but excessively futurepop-ish, Contempt holds a place in my mind as Tom Shear's best contribution. Contempt was his first, and his best. It was a lot harder, faster (for the most part), and darker than his other material, while still retaining his epic clean vocals, and his gritty growls (not seen to often on the 2 following albums). The lyrics are great, and the music is brilliantly pieced together.