NITZER EBB - BELIEF

Although this is Nitzer Ebb's second album, it was actually the first one I bought.  I picked it up at the Tower Records Superstore in Vegas while it was still around.  Man, I loved that store.  During the 90's, lots of electronic bands were following in the footsteps of Depeche Mode by exploring heavier industrial sounds.  And Nitzer Ebb seems to be the band who led the charge.  Where DM were inspired by German industrial bands like Einstürzende Neubauten and Kraftwerk, subsequent artists like Nine Inch Nails and Rammstein were influenced by DM.

Independent of Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb nonetheless embraced a similar respect for the avant-garde movement and represented it in their own music through a combination of pounding beats and half-spoken, half-sung Tantric lyrics that drone in your ear with the precision of a military marching band.

One of the biggest differences between this and the previous record can be found in the sound.  It was produced by Flood who had been working with Depeche Mode.  He brought the unique sound catalog they'd engineered over the years.  This allowed Nitzer Ebb to sound similar enough to DM for them to attract the later's fanbase while at the same time sounding completely different.

Their songs rely heavily on simple arrangements and aggressive beats and covered subjects as varied as Hezbollah airplane hijacking and faith crisis'.  In some ways, the more simple song writing and intense music fit the industrial label much better than other bands at the time who fit into the genre.

Industrial music would transition into a form of metal in the 90's thanks to the efforts of bands like NE.  But while that change occurred, NE stayed the same and became an electronic band.  This record can fit in either category and although it's a strong record from start to finish, I do have my favorite tracks.  'Shame' is easily my favorite on the album followed closely by 'Without Belief'.  I also think this is the strongest of the NE albums I've heard.  It's one weak moment is 'T.W.A.' which tends to meander a bit.

Overall, I recommend this record to people considering giving NE a try.  You won't regret this decision even if you never buy another record from the band.  This is the one that defines them even if "Ebbhead" is more well known and famous.  My final words:  THE ADVANCEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL MUSIC IN THE 80'S.  AND POUNDING BEATS TO BOOT.

NITZER EBB - BELIEF
01. Hearts And Minds
02. For Fun
03. Control I'm Here
04. Captivate
05. T.W.A.
06. Blood Money
07. Shame
08. Drive
09. Without Belief