Into Battle with the Art of Noise


Into Battle with the Art of Noise is a 1983 EP by the Art of Noise—its first release, and also the first release by ZTT Records. The record represented the first instalment in the ZTT's Incidental Series.
Into Battle... constructed tracks using early sampling techniques centred on the Fairlight CMI workstation, which at that time represented the state-of-the-art in musical technology.

Reworked tracks

The two key hit tracks from the EP were subsequently featured on the group's first LP, Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise?, except for the EP, "Beat Box" was remixed, reconstructed and substantially modified to concentrate more on musical experimentation rather than the raw hip-hop sound of the original. The LP version was designated "Diversion One", while the original EP version of "Beat Box" has since become known as "Diversion Zero."

Reissues

In 1986, Who's Afraid was combined with portions of Into Battle... and the 1985 "Moments in Love" 12-inch single, to form the Daft compilation.
In 2003, the original Into Battle... EP was issued on CD for the first time on a German-only release, but the release inexplicably included "Diversion One" of "Beat Box" in place of "Diversion Zero."
Into Battle... also features as part of disc four of the 2006 Art of Noise boxed set And What Have You Done with My Body, God?. The project was conceived, researched and compiled by music journalist Ian Peel – sourced from the original masters – and restored the original version of "Beat Box" and features the 5:10 edit of "Moments in Love" from the cassette issue of the EP, neither track having been officially released on CD before.
In April 2011, Peel continued his archiving of ZTT material, now named the Element Series, with a Deluxe Edition reissue of Into Battle with the Art of Noise. As part of Record Store Day, this Deluxe Edition was also released as a Limited Edition 2 LP vinyl version: both the original EP and the Worship material LP on 180g blue vinyl, limited to 500 copies worldwide.

Cover art

The artwork depicted on the original EP sleeve was derived from the Ghent Altarpiece.

Parody

The EP's title and elements of its visual and musical style were parodied by the group Mainframe with their 1984 12-inch single, "Into Trouble with the Noise of Art".

Reception

reviewer Ned Raggett had positive views on the EP, stating "One listen to into Battle With the Art of Noise and some of the influences in industrial, hip-hop, techno, and pop become clearer."

Track listing

All songs except "Donna" were written by Anne Dudley, Trevor Horn, J.J. Jeczalik, Gary Langan, and Paul Morley.

US/UK Vinyl

Side 1
  1. "Battle"
  2. "Beat Box"
  3. "The Army Now"
  4. "Donna"
Side 2
  1. "Moments in Love"
  2. "Bright Noise"
  3. "Flesh in Armour"
  4. "Comes and Goes"
  5. "Moment in Love"

    UK cassette

Side 1
  1. "Battle"
  2. "Beat Box"
  3. "The Army Now"
  4. "Donna"
Side 2
  1. "Moments in Love"
  2. "Bright Noise"
  3. "Flesh in Armour"
  4. "Comes and Goes"
  5. "Moment in Love"

    US cassette

Side 1
  1. "Battle"
  2. "Beat Box"

  1. "The Army Now"
  2. "Donna"
  3. "Beat Box"
Side 2
  1. "Bright Noise"
  2. "Flesh in Armour"
  3. "Comes and Goes"
  4. "Moments in Love"

    2011 Deluxe CD/Vinyl Record Store Day Reissue

Into Battle
  1. "Battle"
  2. "Beat Box"
  3. "The Army Now"
  4. "Donna"
  5. "Moments in Love"
  6. "Bright Noise"
  7. "Flesh in Armour"
  8. "Comes and Goes"
  9. "Moment in Love"
Worship
  1. "Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise"
  2. "One Finger of Love"
  3. "Diversions 1"
  4. "Two Fingers of Love"
  5. "The Uncertainty of Syrup"
  6. "Damn It All!"
  7. "Three Fingers of Love"
  8. "Sign of Relief"
  9. "Hands off Love"
  10. "Diversions 5"
  11. "Goodbye, Art of Noise"
  12. "Confession"
  13. "Close "
  14. "Diversions 3"
  15. "The Moment of Desire"
  16. "And What Have You Done With My Body, God?"
  17. "The Wounds of Wonder"
  18. "A Time For Fear "