Epitaph is possibly my favorite album from Front Line Assembly. They managed to create a sound on this album that is instantly recognizable... from it's dark and rich bass tones to it's delicate balance of beauty and disgust.
The concept of beauty for FLA is a bit foreign for most of their discography. Most of the time this band focuses entirely on the depravity of the human race and the music reflects that intimately. Epitaph is a bit different.
Sure the album has a near singular focus on mechanical sounds, complex drum beats and harsh atmospheres... but there are moments (fleeting as they are) where things brighten up just a little bit.
Ironically one of the strongest moments of this is on the song Everything Must Perish, while the verses contain the expected vitriol the chorus is a bit different. A melancholic atmosphere comes over the music and the vocals are actually melodic (instead of the usual whispered, spoken spite filled words), and are quite pleasant to listen to. The melodic outro to the album is also filled with a haunting female vocal lead over an incredibly atmospheric composition... this may be one of the best instrumentals that the band has created.
FLA is a continuously evolving band. They have never once revisited this style and that is likely for the best. Each entry into their discography is separate and unique. Epitaph just happens to be near the top of that list.
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