The question of when the human voice might be overshadowed by AI and technology touches upon the essence of our existence and connection. Technology, like a double-edged sword, holds the potential to both distance and reunite us with our innate nature.
The human voice embodies more than mere sound; it carries emotion, nuance, and the very soul of our shared experiences. As we advance technologically, the risk lies in losing this intimate form of expression. Yet, paradoxically, it is within this very progression that we might rediscover what it means to be human.Or…our deepest fears could indeed be realized, and our agency squashed by the very technology we created.
Industrial-electronic trailblazer Bill Leeb (Front Line Assembly, Delerium) addresses this paradox in the exciting new solo endeavour: Terror Forms, the first taste of Leeb’s debut solo album Model Kollapse. Featuring Shannon Hemmett of Vancouver post-punk quartet ACTORS and her solo project LEATHERS, the duo explore the intricacies of artificial intelligence and the very survival of humanity itself.
Hard-edged yet melodic, danceable and focused on strong songwriting rather than ambient layers, Terror Forms mixes elements of tough electronic dance music with a nod to its impact on newer artists like Gesaffelstein and ADULT. It also carries the mark of darkwave influences, striking a balance between grit and rhythm that keeps you hooked.
The original term “Model Collapse” refers to a phenomenon in artificial intelligence where trained models, especially those relying on synthetic data or AI-generated data, eventually degrade over time. Leeb posits the notion that “as we forge forward on an unprecedented technological scale, it makes me wonder how much longer we can remain in control of various aspects of our lives. Automation has already taken over many industries. With technology running much of the world, will the entire planet eventually be vulnerable to a Model Kollapse? Chaos would surely ensue.”
The video, an AI-generated alternate universe created by Tim Rim Hill, shows Leeb and Hemmett in guises culled from photographs of the two, but in cyborg form. It’s unsettling, creepy, and true to form for this particular song.
Watch the video for “Terror Forms” below:
Based in Vancouver, Bill Leeb is the brains behind the influential electro-industrial group Front Line Assembly and the ambient-pop duo Delerium. He cut his teeth with Skinny Puppy under the alias Wilhelm Schroeder. Leeb also dabbles in other projects like Noise Unit, Intermix, and Cyberaktif.
In 1987, he started Delerium as a side gig, diving into dark ambient trance and electronic pop. Their 1994 debut, “Semantic Spaces,” put them on the map, winning two Juno awards and leading to collaborations with artists like Leigh Nash, Lisa Gerrard, Kirsty Hawkshaw, Emily Haines, Jacqui Hunt, Matthew Sweet, and Kristy Thirsk. Their hit “Silence” with Sarah McLachlan topped charts globally, its remixes celebrated as some of the best trance tracks ever.
Model Kollapse marks Leeb’s first solo venture since the mid-80s days of Front Line Assembly, when he used to make recordings in his bedroom and released them on limited edition cassette format. This album also involves contributions by LA-based artist Mimi Page, a long-term Delerium collaborator, and Jason Corbett of ACTORS and Jacknife Sound Studio.
Almost four decades on, his new album was recorded and produced in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles with assistance from Vancouver/Toronto-based production duo Dream Bullet and long-term FLA/Delerium cohort Rhys Fulber, plus regular mixing engineer Greg Reely.
The full Model Kollapse album will be released on September 13 via Metropolis Records on vinyl, CD, and digitally.
Pre-order here
Follow Bill Leeb:
Or via: