Fear Factory, Future Uncertain, Unveils New Album

By Brady Bredell
Contributing Writer

After a brief hiatus, Fear Factory returns with a somewhat familiar lineup and “Mechanize,” an album that can be summarized as their best work since the 1998 release, Obsolete. With the addition of former, founding member, Dino Cazares, on guitar and former Strapping Young Lad, Death and Dethklok drummer, Gene Hoglan, Fear Factory has resurfaced with a strong lineup and legal implications for excluding longtime members Christian Olde Wolbers and Ray Herrera.

Originally, the new lineup was intended to be a side project, but it was later decided that Wolbers and Herrera were out and Cazares and Hoglan were in. According to Wolbers and Herrera, who spoke out on the radio program, “Speed Freaks” they technically never left the band and are still contractually regarded as Fear Factory Incorporated. “[Christian and I] are actually still in Fear Factory…[Burton and Dino] decided to start a new band, and furthermore they decided to call it Fear Factory. They never communicated with us about it,” said Herrera. The two ousted members have formed the group Arkaea and have recently released an album with several songs originally intended to be on the new Fear Factory record.

Regardless of the controversy, “Mechanize” is a great album orchestrated by great musicians.

The opening track, Mechanize, is an instant reminder of the long-awaited return of Dino Cazares, whose progressive, industrial guitar style helped put Fear Factory on the map and ushered in a new era of metal bands. Though the guitars are as impressive as ever, it seems as if Cazares has decided to capitalize on a sound he perfected over a decade ago. As in the rest of the album, he fails to further develop his sound on this track. The same can’t be said for Burton C. Bell though. His melodic vocals are, as always, phenomenal and the screaming on this track is as aggressive as ever.

Another notable tune is “Industrial Discipline.” From start to finish, this song sounds very reminiscent of material from Fear Factory’s breakthrough album, Demanufacture. It is also about the most radio-friendly track on the album—despite its overall heaviness. Clearly, this album was made to please old-school fans, not to sell millions of copies.

The highlight of Mechanize is “Final Exit,” a beautifully crafted track that marks what may be the end of Fear Factory. Considering the various legal disputes and Burton’s haunting, final words on the record being “goodbye, goodbye,” it really makes one assume that after 21 years Fear Factory may be hanging up the gloves for good.

If that is indeed the case, “Final Exit” is the perfect way to end the legacy. This track darts back and fourth between traditional Fear Factory heaviness and their more mellow side—Bell’s vocals being the highlight. Check out this track.

Overall, Mechanize is an impressive album and the reconciliation of Burton C. Bell and Dino Cazares makes for a perfect storyline. Though the latest release consists of only 10 tracks, it is more deserving of your attention than any of their previous three records.

Recommended for fans of: Static-X, Machinehead, Slipknot and Strapping Young Lad.

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)