Is Face the Fear a good place to start with In Strict Confidence?

Yes, Face the Fear is recommended as a starting point for new In Strict Confidence listeners. Dark synths intertwine with driving percussion to create a brooding soundscape that captures the essence of late '90s electro-industrial. Released in 1998, Face the Fear marked In Strict Confidence's third studio album, following their previous release, The Hardest Heart. At this point, the band had begun to establish themselves within the electro-industrial scene, showcasing a matured sound and deeper lyrical themes reflecting personal and societal struggles.

Who is Face the Fear for?

Face the Fear works well if you're into steady mid-tempo progression, dark emotional exploration and brooding vocals with depth.

How many songs are on Face the Fear?

Face the Fear has 10 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Face the Fear

In Strict Confidence · 1998

52 min · 10 tracks · electro-industrial

Dark synths intertwine with driving percussion to create a brooding soundscape that captures the essence of late '90s electro-industrial.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Empire Start here — Opening with a powerful blend of mechanical beats and haunting vocals, Empire sets the thematic tone for the entire album, exploring themes of power and control.
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Industrial Love — This track combines a catchy melody with dark lyrics that critique romantic relationships through an industrial lens, showcasing the band's unique approach to songwriting.
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Way of Redemption — With its anthemic chorus and reflective lyrics about personal struggle and redemption, this track encapsulates the emotional depth present throughout Face the Fear.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album effectively captures the electro-industrial sound of its time with strong production and engaging arrangements.

What we noticed

The album opens with a driving beat in 'Empire' that sets a dark, energetic tone, which is maintained through the first half.
Tracks like 'Industrial Love' and 'Hidden Thoughts' feature layered synths that create a dense atmosphere, while vocals are often delivered in a rhythmic, spoken style.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as the shift in 'Engel mit Feuer und Schwert', which introduces a more melodic section before returning to heavier beats.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

steady mid-tempo progression
dark emotional exploration
brooding vocals with depth
in-order listening experience

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat party tracks
prefer instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Defined the electro-industrial genre and solidified the band's reputation.
Themes: mechanical power struggles· industrial romance critique· personal redemption journey
Career context: Released in 1998, Face the Fear marked In Strict Confidence's third studio album, following their previous release, The Hardest Heart. At this point, the band had begun to establish themselves within the electro-industrial scene, showcasing a matured sound and deeper lyrical themes reflecting personal and societal struggles.
Stylistic neighbors: Project Pitchfork· VNV Nation· Front Line Assembly