SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BILL LEEB – MACHINE VISION

BILL LEEB
MACHINE VISION
METROPOLIS RECORDS

Between his work with Front Line Assembly and Delerium (not to mention other projects in which he is involved, such as Noise Unit, Intermix and Cyberaktif), it is hard to believe that Leeb had time to record and release a solo album in 2024. But Leeb did release a solo album in 2024, Model Kollapse. Now, Leeb has put together a companion EP for that album. The EP, Machine Vision, contains five remixed tracks from Model Kollapse plus one new song, “Fireshow”. This EP is full of EDM, full-on, high power electronic music. Not so much angry but rather assertive.

Rhys Fulber, who is one half of Delerium and a member of Front Line Assembly, tackles the lion’s share of remixes for the EP. The EP opens with Rhys Fulber’s remix of “Neuromotive (Sehr Geil One Mix)”. Here the moody original is turned into a full-on dance extravaganza. The other remix of the song, “Neuromotive (Sehr Geil Two Mix by Rhys Fulber Remix” is another hardcore dance version of the song, and is quite energetic. The second remix seems harder than the first.

“Infernum (Narcissistic Flow Mix by Dream Bullet)” is a very different take on the original. Darker vocals and a slower groove and is less focused on dance and more interested in creating a very different atmosphere. “Fusion (Black Chromium Mix by Dream Bullet)” is the most radical remix from the original. Here, it becomes another high energy dance track that would pack any dance floor. It is a great reimagining of a song that was much darker in its original form.

“Fireshow” is the highlight of the EP, and it was a wise decision to place it at the end, saving the best for last. It is an interesting mix of noise, beats, and a very strong melody. It has an overall feeling of doom, which makes it even more fascinating. Leeb’s altered vocals, in combination with the sound and music, is perfect.

Machine Vision is a great companion to the great Model Kollapse. The EP is very different from the original and expands on the music from Model Kollapse. Leeb has done a fantastic job creating all new music from the original album. Yes, it is a remix, but the remixes become whole new entities on their own. It is a wonderfully executed remix EP, and the biggest downside was that he did not remix the entire album.

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