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Ending a five-year gap between albums, the influential United States-based electronic music act Assemblage 23 has unveiled ‘Tolerate,’ a new digital single. Released on September 19, 2025, the track serves as the first preview of the project’s highly anticipated tenth studio album. The single was released through Metropolis Records, the prominent Philadelphia-based independent label that has been Assemblage 23’s home for over two decades and a cornerstone of the North American industrial and synthpop scenes.
‘Tolerate’ is the first single from the project’s tenth studio album, ‘Null,’ which is scheduled for a November 7, 2025, release. The forthcoming album is the first collection of new material from Assemblage 23 since the 2020 release of the album ‘Mourn.’ The five-year interval between studio albums is consistent with the project’s established release cadence over the past decade, which has seen new full-length works arrive approximately every three to five years.
Assemblage 23 is the solo project of musician and producer Tom Shear, who founded the act in 1988. The project is primarily associated with the electronic music subgenres of futurepop, electro-industrial, and synthpop. Live performances are supported by keyboardist Paul Seegers and drummer Mike Jenney.
The Chronology of Assemblage 23
Assemblage 23 was formed by Tom Shear in 1988, initially as a hobby project. The project’s sound was influenced by Shear’s exposure to early synthpop and post-punk acts like Depeche Mode and Fad Gadget, combined with the harder-edged electronic sounds of industrial dance music he encountered at the time.
For approximately a decade, Shear developed his sound while sending out demos with limited success in a United States music landscape that was then more focused on guitar-based industrial rock.
The project’s first official release came in 1999 with the debut album ‘Contempt,’ issued by the Canadian label Gashed! Records. This was followed in March 2001 by the album ‘Failure,’ which gained significant traction in electronic music clubs.
Following a dispute with Gashed! Records, Shear signed with the United States-based Metropolis Records in late 2001. Metropolis subsequently re-released ‘Contempt’ and ‘Failure,’ establishing a partnership that has continued for over two decades.
Under Metropolis Records, Assemblage 23 released a consistent series of albums that solidified its position as a prominent act in the North American electronic music scene. This period includes the albums ‘Defiance’ (2002), ‘Storm’ (2004), ‘Meta’ (2007), ‘Compass’ (2009), ‘Bruise’ (2012), and ‘Endure’ (2016). The project’s ninth studio album, ‘Mourn,’ was released in September 2020.
The Sound of ‘Tolerate’
The track ‘Tolerate’ has a total runtime of 4 minutes and 23 seconds. The song is composed in a standard verse-chorus structure common to electronic pop music.
The composition opens with a syncopated, arpeggiated synthesizer line layered over a four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern, establishing the song’s tempo and melodic theme. The first verse introduces a driving electronic bassline and atmospheric synthesizer pads, which provide a harmonic foundation for the vocals. The percussion is built on a programmed drum machine beat with a prominent snare on the second and fourth beats of each measure.
The chorus sections feature a more dynamic arrangement, with the introduction of a lead synthesizer melody and additional harmonic layers that create a fuller soundscape. The song’s structure includes two verses, two choruses, and a bridge.
In the bridge section, the primary percussive elements are momentarily stripped away, emphasizing ambient textures before building back into the final chorus. The track concludes with an outro that fades out the instrumental arrangement.
Shear’s vocal performance is delivered in a clean baritone style, mixed prominently in the track. There is no use of harsh vocalizations or overt digital pitch manipulation.
The song was written, performed, and produced by Tom Shear, which is consistent with the production history of the Assemblage 23 project. Final mastering for the track was completed by Da5id Din at Corrosive Audio.
The selection of a mastering engineer known for his work within the industrial and EBM genres indicates a deliberate production choice intended to achieve a specific sonic quality—characterized by a polished, club-oriented, and powerful sound—that is aligned with the expectations of the genre’s dedicated listenership.
‘Null,’ The Forthcoming Album
Concurrent with the release of ‘Tolerate,’ pre-orders for the tenth studio album, ‘Null,’ were made available. The album is the first new collection of songs from the project since 2020’s ‘Mourn’ and is set for a November 7, 2025, release.
The album will be available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats. It has been stated that there will be no special or deluxe editions for this release, a departure from some previous albums. Pre-orders for the physical formats, including an autographed CD and a limited-edition vinyl record, are being handled through the artist’s official online store. Digital pre-orders are available on Bandcamp, a platform popular with independent artists.
A second single from the album, ‘Believe,’ is scheduled for release on October 17, 2025, approximately one month before the full album becomes available. This staggered rollout is a common practice designed to build audience engagement.
The 2020 Album ‘Mourn’
The predecessor to ‘Null,’ Assemblage 23’s ninth studio album ‘Mourn,’ was released on September 11, 2020. The album was widely regarded as one of the most personal and emotionally raw works in the project’s extensive discography. Thematically, ‘Mourn’ was heavily influenced by the passing of Shear’s father, and the album’s ten tracks explore the complex stages of grief, loss, and the struggle to find hope amidst despair.
‘Mourn’ presented a darker, more introspective, and atmospheric sonic palette. While retaining the project’s signature melodic sensibilities and intricate synth work, the album featured a more somber tone, with less emphasis on the energetic, club-focused tracks of previous releases.
Its release during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic resonated deeply with listeners, as its themes of isolation and anxiety mirrored the global mood, even though the album’s lyrical content was rooted in Shear’s personal experience.
The promotion of ‘Mourn’ was significantly impacted by the pandemic, preventing any touring in support of the album, which made the experience of the album a more solitary one for its audience.
Conclusion
The release of ‘Tolerate’ marks the beginning of a new chapter for Assemblage 23, signaling the impending arrival of the project’s tenth album, ‘Null.’ The single demonstrates Tom Shear’s continued commitment to the polished, emotionally resonant sound that has defined the act for over two decades.
With a new album on the horizon, a strategic promotional cycle, and a return to international touring, Assemblage 23 continues to be a vital and enduring force within the electronic music scene, backed by a long-standing and stable partnership with Metropolis Records.
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