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VNV Nation, "Judgement" (Metropolis Records)

The Irish/English combo of Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson return with the most accessible record yet in their 17-year career. Theirs is industrial electronica with techno ambience and dance rhythms ("Carry You"). Themes of an apocalyptic future are often delivered via disembodied vocals (the raver "Momentum").

Nevertheless, all is not lost, as the men stick to their credo - "Victory not vengeance" - on at least a couple of tunes, most notably "The Farthest Star" about individual empowerment. The dance-floor ready "Testament" evokes love in a time of dystopia: "We conquer paradise just to burn it to the ground."

These guys are full of dour pronouncements: All the lyrics of "Descent," a spoken-word plunge into the depths of hell and madness backed by an industrial clamor; and the anthemic "Nemesis," which sounds like Interpol with a death wish and a double-time military beat singing about "Judgment day's not coming soon enough."

The gloom and doom is toned down a bit on the lovely electro-ballad "Secluded Spaces" and the disenchantment ballad "Illusion."

The guys are rigid electronic stalwarts, as the liner notes are quick to point out: "No acoustic instruments, electrified or otherwise, were used in the recording of this album." However, they do thank Edna, the espresso machine.

I'm not sure whether they're packing Edna on this trip, but VNV Nation brings its electronic hoedown to the Launchpad, 618 Central S.W., for an all-ages show on Monday. Imperative Reaction opens; doors at 7 p.m. $17 in advance; $20 at the door. 764-8887. www.virtuous.com

Tesla, "Real to Reel" (Tesla Electric Company Recordings)

After a three-decade career, this Sacramento quintet pays tribute to its roots with a double-disc set of classic '60s and '70s (mostly) rock songs that they proceed to "Tesla-fy."

Working at the Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, outside El Paso, the band recorded live and raw, all analog, to 24-track tape with minimal overdubs and no ProTools. The results are a mixed bag, mostly on the successful side.

Highlights include a faithful rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Thank You"; a gritty take on James Gang's "Walk Away"; a bruising "Day of the Eagle" by Robin Trower; a rich and organic version of the Beatles' "I've Got a Feeling"; a bloozy "Honky Tonk Women" by the Rolling Stones; and a jam-out on Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy."

The showstopper, however, is the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion," where the R&B soul classic is rearranged for rock band that really works, even without the horns.

The version of "Real to Reel" available in stores contains only "Reel 1," a 13-song set. The 12-song "Reel 2" is free with the purchase of a concert ticket, which the guys in Tesla will conveniently make handy on Father's Day when they play the Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 Second St. N.W. Matthew Genovese opens the show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. $34-$64. 883-7800. www.ticketmaster.com

Linkin Park, "Minutes To Midnight" (Machine Shop Recordings/ Warner Bros. Records)

On the third studio release from this Southern California six-piece, the nu-metal pioneers ditch their old sound for a very melodic hard-rock punch-&-crunch (the love song "Leave Out All the Rest," about loving yourself).

There is almost no rapping ("Bleed It Out" and the slow-jam, rap gospel of "Hands Held High"), but there is some screamo (the hard rocker "Given Up" with its hand-clap intro).

Death and regret are prominent themes, especially on first single "What I've Done," with its piano intro and chug-a-chug guitar break that introduces the chorus. Ethereal ballad "Shadow of the Day" is essentially all background electronic hum that evolves into a wall of sound.

There are three tunes that could be considered a suite: the breakup song "Valentine's Day," about ending up alone; the hauntingly lovely and spare "In Between" with in-your-ear vocals concerning regret; and "In Pieces," which seems to be the female point of view of "In Between."

The vocal harmonies are also sublime, as on "Hands Held High" and the orchestral and epic "The Little Things You Give Away." The latter tune is an indictment of the Bush regime vis-a-vis Hurricane Katrina, that has a gorgeous roundelay coda.

By expanding their repertoire and songwriting reach, the bandmates in Linkin Park have delivered their finest CD to date.