“Intercontinental Ballistic Music doesn’t ask for your attention—it storms in with crushing force, relentless riffs, and a cinematic industrial vision that refuses to compromise.”
There is something refreshing about a record that has no interest in softening its edges. Leather Laces arrive with Intercontinental Ballistic Music as if they have declared war on predictability, delivering an album that embraces industrial metal with complete conviction. Built over 18 months inside Devisal Studios, the project feels carefully engineered rather than casually assembled. Every mechanical beat, distorted guitar and electronic pulse serves the larger concept, making the album feel like one continuous mission instead of a loose collection of songs.
The anonymous Italian project has created more than music. Leather Laces exist inside the larger Devisal Universe, presenting themselves as a fictional corporate militia hidden behind riot gear and secrecy. That concept could easily become a gimmick, but the music carries enough weight that it never needs to rely on the visual identity alone. The aggressive production, harsh synth textures and pounding rhythms speak for themselves. The album opens with “SHOE – Extruder-Destroyer,” immediately throwing listeners into its dystopian landscape. The guitars grind against electronic percussion while the arrangement creates the feeling of entering hostile territory. It is an explosive introduction that establishes the record’s uncompromising tone. “_SHOE – Mind Control Techniques” follows with an even colder atmosphere. The mechanical grooves and industrial programming give the impression of machines slowly taking control, while layers of synths create an unsettling sense of tension. It highlights the band’s ability to balance heavy riffs with electronic precision. Previously released single “_SHOE – Rocket Launcher” remains one of the album’s biggest highlights. It delivers the most immediate hook on the record without sacrificing any intensity. The combination of sharp guitar work and pounding programmed drums makes it feel designed for maximum impact, proving that industrial metal can still be memorable without becoming predictable. The intensity continues through “_SHOE – Deployed to Hell,” a track driven by relentless momentum and thick walls of distortion. It captures the feeling of moving through chaos without slowing down. “_SHOE – Marching In The Fog” introduces a slower, more suspenseful pace, allowing the atmosphere to build before unleashing another wave of crushing riffs. The contrast gives the album welcome breathing space while maintaining its dark identity.
With “_SHOE – Heavy Machine Gun,” Leather Laces fully embrace the militaristic aesthetic suggested by the album title. The pounding rhythms resemble relentless machinery, while the guitars cut through the mix with precision. “_SHOE – Massive Dark Raid” expands the cinematic qualities even further, layering electronic textures beneath massive riffs to create one of the album’s most immersive moments. The closing section begins with “_SHOE – Midnight Extraction Point,” which feels tense and urgent, almost like the soundtrack to an escape operation. The final track, “_SHOE – Unit Goes Home,” provides a fitting conclusion. Rather than ending with explosive chaos, it leaves behind a lingering atmosphere that feels reflective without losing the album’s mechanical identity. One of the strongest aspects of Intercontinental Ballistic Music is its consistency. Every song supports the larger concept while still offering its own personality. The production avoids becoming cluttered despite the heavy layering of guitars, synths and programmed percussion. Everything sounds deliberate, giving the record a polished but aggressive edge. Leather Laces may hide their identities, but Intercontinental Ballistic Music leaves a clear artistic statement. It proves that industrial metal still has room to evolve when artists commit fully to both sound and vision. Rather than chasing trends, the album builds its own uncompromising world—one powered by distortion, atmosphere and relentless energy from beginning to end.
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