Released 6 years ago this November
Shadow of Fear
Cabaret Voltaire · 2020
58 min · 8 tracks · electronic music
A brooding amalgamation of industrial beats and ambient soundscapes that evoke a sense of unease and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Be Free — This opening track establishes the album's thematic tone with its hypnotic rhythms and layered textures, inviting listeners into a world of sonic exploration.
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Microscopic Flesh Fragment — With its unsettling sound design and fragmented structure, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend industrial noise with rhythm, reflecting on themes of disintegration.
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Universal Energy — Spanning nearly eleven minutes, this track showcases an expansive sound journey that balances tension and release, embodying the album's overarching exploration of existential themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album effectively combines industrial and ambient elements, maintaining a cohesive flow while exploring varied sonic landscapes.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a steady build of tension with industrial beats layered over ambient textures.
- Tracks four and five introduce more chaotic elements, incorporating dissonant sounds that disrupt the previous flow.
- The final three tracks gradually decrease in tempo and intensity, creating a sense of resolution and reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 progression with climactic build
- brooding atmosphere for introspection
- ideal for late-night solitude
- immersive experience through headphone detail
- explorative listening for existential themes
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer quick, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in November 2020, Shadow of Fear marks Cabaret Voltaire's first album in over 26 years, following their 1994 album, The Conversation. This release represents a significant return for the band as they reestablish their presence in the electronic music scene after a long hiatus, blending their classic experimental roots with contemporary influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Throbbing Gristle· Front 242· Skinny Puppy
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Be Free 6:25
- 2 The Power (of Their Knowledge) 6:30
- 3 Night of the Jackal 6:38
- 4 Microscopic Flesh Fragment 6:03
- 5 Papa Nine Zero Delta United 7:43
- 6 Universal Energy 10:58
- 7 Vasto 7:40
- 8 What’s Goin’ On 6:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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