Contempt
Assemblage 23 · 1999
71 min · 13 tracks · electronic music
Dark synths and driving beats intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating an immersive landscape of electronic melancholy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Anthem — As the opening track, Anthem sets the tone of the album with its pulsating rhythms and anthemic chorus that encapsulate themes of defiance and empowerment.
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Coward — This track delves into themes of vulnerability and self-doubt, featuring haunting melodies that juxtapose its dark lyrical content, making it a standout piece.
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Bi-Polar — Bi-Polar captures the emotional turbulence reflected in its title, using dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity to mirror the complexities of mental health struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong electronic composition and production, with a notable shift in mood across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features driving beats and dark synths, while the second half shifts to more introspective soundscapes.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal samples that blend with the instrumentation, creating a dense auditory texture.
- Tracks like 'Anthem' and 'Coward' utilize repetitive melodic motifs that build tension throughout their duration.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective exploration of emotions
- immersive soundscapes for deep focus
- cathartic moments of reflection
- steady pacing with emotional weight
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat dance tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1999, Contempt was Assemblage 23's second album, following their debut, Absence, which established them as a significant force in the electro-industrial scene. The album marked a period of artistic maturation, showcasing more complex production techniques and deeper lyrical exploration.
- Stylistic neighbors
- VNV Nation· Covenant· Front Line Assembly
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Anthem 5:53
- 2 Surface 5:04
- 3 Coward 5:49
- 4 Bi-Polar 5:57
- 5 Pages 4:45
- 6 Purgatory 5:48
- 7 Sun 4:26
- 8 Skyquake 6:29
- 9 Never Forgive 4:28
- 10 7 Days 3:12
- 11 Coward (Melting mix by Pain Station) 7:12
- 12 Skyquake (Voice of God mix by Manhole Vortex/Protocol X) 6:17
- 13 The Drowning Season (DSKø2k mix by Ed Vargo of THD) 6:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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