Assemblage 23 – Failure

The remaster done for this release is really well done for the most part. Despite the tracks being mastered louder than they were before, the 2021 mixes sounds better with the instruments being more separate compared to the original versions. I generally prefer how the new mixes sound aside from the changes done to the vocals on Divide and Silence. The backing vocals on Divide's chorus are reduced heavily and I'm not sure if I can even here them in the new mix. Silence also has the distortion on the vocals completely removed in the new mix.

Created at probably the darkest time in his life, this European reissue of Assemblage 23's sophomore record 'Failure' was the piece that had artist Tom Shear drawn into the spotlight of the EBM scene. Moving forward from 99's 'Contempt' the album focuses on the themes of unrequited loss, vulnerability and self depreciation, adding more to this already sombre sound that Shear had slowly become known for.
Although on a composition & production level is on a similar tone to his debut, it's the lyrical content that puts 'Failure' above it's predecessor, from the fragility of 'Naked' to the break beat fuelled 'Lord Of Flies' the style of the album is unrelenting in it's overall melancholy.
The main focal point to the release is of course 'Disappoint' - a lament that asks the many questions Tom had after his father's suicide, but there is also club anthem 'Awake', 'Tried' - which is the closest 'failure' gets to a ballad and 'Silence' - a track filled with dark destructive thoughts and guttural vocals.
Although A23's sound was still blossoming at this point, 'Failure' works as a great chapter of EBM history and became a wonderful piece of catharsis for Tom Shear, turning his sadness into something equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking.

One of my favourite all time albums. Great from start to finish, thanks Tom!

Failure is Shear's second album and contains some of his best tracks to date. Lots of good stuff here. This one has some of the same problems as Contempt, where some of the songs become too long or too repetitive. However, this one contains lot of key tracks. Highlights include I Am the Rain, Tried, Dissapoint (possibly Shear's best track), Longevity, King of Insects. This truly is a landmark album in this scene. The later Assemblage albums sound more refined, but this one should not be passed up. 4/5

a really emotional release by the one-man ebm outfit. the album is dedicated to his father who took his own life 2 years prior to the release of the album. any fan of VNV Nation is sure to find Failure to be interesting, as there are many similarities between the two bands (i.e. clean vocals, incredible music)