| Artist | Front 242 |
|---|---|
| Cover | Front242.Front.By.Front.Original.gif |
| Released | November 1988 |
| Genre | EBM, industrial |
| Length | 36:28 41:46 1988 CD issue 69:37 Epic CD issue |
| Label | Red Rhino Europe Wax Trax! Animalized Epic |
| Producer | Front 242 |
| Prev year | 1987 |
| Next year | 1991 |
Front by Front is the fourth studio album by Front 242, released in 1988, and has been labelled as "easily one of the greatest industrial albums ever made".[1] The album was reissued in 1992 by Sony Music Entertainment. The song "Headhunter" became an industrial dancefloor hit, accompanied by a music video directed by Anton Corbijn, and has since been subject to over 20 remixes.
Miss Kittin used "First In / First Out" on her mix album A Bugged Out Mix.[2]
Reception
Front by Front was one of Wax Trax! Records' most successful releases, selling more than 90,000 units in its first run.[3] The album, and its lead single "Headhunter", elevated the public awareness of EBM and industrial music in the late 1980s.[4]
In 2019, Pitchfork ranked it at number 6 in its list of the "33 Best Industrial Albums of All Time".[5] In 2023, Consequence ranked it at number 9 in its list of the "50 Best Industrial Albums of All Time".[6] Spin named it one of the ten essential industrial records.[7]
Track listing
Notes
The 1992 bonus tracks were originally released on the Never Stop! EP, except for "Headhunter v1.0" which was originally released on the Headhunter EP.
Personnel
Front 242
- Jean-Luc De Meyer – vocals
- Daniel Bressanutti – keyboards
- Patrick Codenys – keyboards
- Richard Jonckheere – drums
Additional personnel
- Frédéric Boebaert – art direction
- Greg Calbi – mastering, remastering
- Alain Verbaert – photography
References
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "Front by Front – Front 242". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ Miss Kittin - A Bugged Out Mix By Miss Kittin (CD) Discogs. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
- ^ Smith, Rod (27 March 2014). "Wax Trax: An Introduction". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Dicker, Holly (21 August 2018). "Join in the chant: Inside the cult of EBM". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "The 33 Best Industrial Albums of All Time". Pitchfork. 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ "50 Best Industrial Albums of All Time". Consequence. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Chow, Alexander (October 2003). "Essential Industrial". Spin. p. 60.