IT'S OFFICIAL: FEAR FACTORY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM, 'MECHANIZE,' FEATURING BURTON C. BELL AND DINO CAZARES
Candlelight Records confirmed February 9 as the American release date for Mechanize, the seventh studio album from Fear Factory, today. Mechanize features the highly anticipated reconciliation of vocalist Burton C. Bell with original guitarist Dino Cazares, along with bassist Byron Stroud and journeyman drummer Gene Hoglan (Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad, Death). The anticipated album also welcomes back keyboardist/producer Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly).
Mechanize is a full-fisted blast of passion and innovation that sounds like the missing link between's 1995's groundbreaking Demanufacture and 1998's more texturally nuanced Obsolete. Songs like "Industrial Discipline" and "Powershifter" are crushing and colossal, melding fast and precise rhythms with vocals that pinwheel from raw and scathing to hauntingly melodic while "Fear Campaign," which features harrowing spoken word passages, quickly segues into a showcase of punishing beats, rapid-fire riffs and ghostly keyboards. For the first time in years, the band's industrial roots glimmer through its street-lethal metal, thanks in part to Fulber, who worked on Fear Factory's popular industrial remix albums Fear is the Mindkiller and Remanufacture.
"I didn't want any of the soundscapes to sound natural," Bell says. "I wanted them to be really mechanical because I wanted that aspect of Fear Factory to really shine again. I feel it kind of got dulled over and that's the aspect that I really enjoyed a lot about Fear Factory. I was a huge fan of industrial music and still am. And you don't hear much of that anymore these days."
While Mechanize is instantly reminiscent of Fear Factory's most potent moments of discovery, it's hardly a stroll down the old assembly line. Through a combination of technological advancements and experience, Fear Factory have evolved like a computer virus, constantly reconfiguring itself to maximize its destructive impact. As work began on the album in early April, Bell, who resides in Pennsylvania, admitted he initially expected the years apart would leave him feeling awkward or uncomfortable. However, when Cazares picked him up at the airport his apprehensions melted like a block of ice on a hot electric motor. "After being with him a couple hours and talking to him everything was cool," Bell says." Three months later the duo had a fresh batch of new songs written and a more importantly a renewed confidence in their union.
"Our creative juices were really flowing the whole time," Cazares says about the entire creative process. "All of a sudden we'd look at the clock and go, 'Holy shit, it's already 2:30 or 3 a.m.' We just lost track of time because we were all bouncing ideas off each other really productively. We were adding touches right up until the final second to make the record as fresh as it could be."
In the early '90s, many years before Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall started combining strangled growls with catchy vocal melodies, and Static-X and Rammstein began blending pounding staccato riffs and jackhammer beats with electronic samples, Los Angeles future-thinkers Fear Factory were reinventing both death metal and industrial rock with an arsenal of sonic styles. The band, with Bell and Cazares at its core, landed a record deal based on a self-financed recording they made with producer Ross Robinson (Slayer). They immediately entered the studio to record their first proper album, Soul of a New Machine. Released in 1992, the album nearly transformed death metal overnight with its blend of throat-abrading screams and melodic vocals, and sci-fi lyrics about a machine that was invented to control and contain mankind.
"A lot of people didn't get it and really ridiculed us," Cazares recalls. "Because of the different vocals some people were like, 'Whoa, this is cool, this is different.' And then other people went, 'He's singing melodically? That shouldn't be on a fuckin' death metal record.' It took a while for more people to catch on to that style of singing, and now it's everywhere."
Fear Factory would release four critically acclaimed albums and two industrial-remix EPs, selling well over a million albums in the process. In early 2002, following a grueling tour with Machine Head, the band imploded due to personal differences and sheer over-exertion. A revamped group, moving forward without Cazares, would go on release two more records over the next few years.
As time passed, the chance of a reunion between Bell and Cazares seemed less likely. Then in April, 2008, a full six years after they had last spoken, Bell, who at that time was touring with Ministry, ran into Cazares while in Los Angeles and the two reopened the lines of communication. "It just didn't feel complete," says Bell. "I realized that Dino and I were a real integral part of Fear Factory and we needed each other to make it work. Without the both of us it just lost that intensity."
In the six years that have passed since the original Fear Factory splintered, lots of transformation has taken place. Bell has formed the gothic rock band Ascension of the Watchers, and Cazares has put out two Divine Heresy discs and toured extensively. Stroud and Hoglan have recorded and toured with Strapping Young Lad, Zimmer's Hole, and Dethklok. For Bell, the myriad of projects have only provided creative ideas and inspiration for Fear Factory. He notes, "In this day and age, you gotta keep busy. You can't just rely on one band; something we've all learned from time and years of experience. Not only is it good to support yourself, but it also keeps you going creatively."
"This is definitely a different chapter for us and I think it's the best thing we've ever done," Cazares adds. "Obviously, Burton and I have grown up and we've pretty much perfected what we do. More importantly we've discovered why we so were good together in the first place. Our combination just works. All the ingredients and the elements that we had in the past, combined with what we've learned since being apart feels like putting on a new glove that still feels as good as an old glove."
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Whatever
I'm friends with Raymond and Christin so reading this sucks!
I can't believe Byron would suck Burton's dick and let fat ass Dino bend him over too. Fucking traitor.
Burton, I respected you and your "opinion" about Dino when all the shit went down,but you fucked Raymond and Christin hard - and they had your back when you and Dino HATED each other! Fuck You and Dino, you fuckin assholes!
The original line-up from "Soul Of a New Machine" thru "Digimortal" will always be the best, but at least there was respect during "Archetype" and "Transgression" albums, or so I thought.
This new line-up makes me sick.
Goo Goo - Gaa Gaa...
I'm friends with "like anyone cares" and I cry like a baby... Turn your Fred Durst shit back on!
On the flip-side of the coin...
First of all - "the original line-up from SOANM to Digital-Mortal" doesn't exist. COW didn't play bass on SOANM and neither did the original bassist Andrew Shives. One would think If you were "friends" with COW and Ray, you would also be a fan of the band and this would be something you would know. Now, you look like a moron.
Secondly - With friends like COW and Ray, who needs enemies?
You can believe whatever shit that they have likely fed you, but you need to realize that there are three sides to every story - theirs, Burt/Dino's and the TRUTH that lies somewhere in between.
Let me assure you though that there is WAY more to this whole situation than what you know and way more than what's been printed in the media. Way, way more...and it's shit that doesn't need to be aired in public.
As for your comments about Byron - You're a complete douchebag if you're bad mouthing Byron. The guy is a first class act all the way.
At the end of the day, the only "back" that COW and Ray have is the "Greenback". It's unfortunate that they are more concerned with the almighty dollar than actually collaborating on an album of decent material...Let's not forget that Arkea's album was originally - according to COW - supposed to be new material for Fear Factory.
You are right on one thing though - This new line-up is sick...because the album they produced is going to fucking CRUSH
you don't know ANYTHING
Cow did not become a full member of FF until obsolete when he started playing. everything before that Dino played on.
As Burt stated on the radio, he called raymond before anything was done and told him fuck you and dino is dead to me. and now that they saw that they "burt n dino" can do FF without him they want to be let back in also arkaea went nowhere Cow no one cares not an original member.
Mechanize will not dissapoint! gene is better than ray! he actually uses his hands as much as his kicks! and dino has been putting out great riffs with divine heresy and asesino so there is no doubt this album will blow you away.
To Whatever...
Christy Priske, is that you??
Dude
I'm pumped on this record. Dino and Burton made some of the best metal ever together. They can't fuck this up!!
I'm sad to see that Raymond is no longer in the band
because he was there since the beginning. But Gene Hoglan is an awesome drummer so the new stuff with him will probably sound really good. As for Christian, who gives a shit? Really? Maybe some girls - because I've heard he was supposed to be the "cute one" in the band. But otherwise that dude didn't do anything, and when he moved to guitar to replace Dino, it was just pathetic. You can't replace Dino. Glad to see these guys back together - hope the new record kills as much as it should.
:)
Oh man... This is gonna be BADASS!!
featuring Burton and Cazares?
Fear Factory is indeed in my top 5 favorite bands. I met the whole band and they signed a dollar bill for me in Philly. I gotta say i am really bummed that its not the same line up. This band got me through some of the hardest times in my life. I will never turn my back on Fear Factory. Can't F'n wait guys!!!!! Make a good record and come to philly to kick my ass!!!!!!!!
-LuminChaos
All I can say is ARKAEA!!!!!
All I can say is ARKAEA!!!!!
HA!
Look another post by the "baby!"
To the first clown who posted
This album will shit on the last 3 they released. After Obsolete it went down hill. Just listen to Divine Heresy and combine that guitaring with Burton's vocals and the drumming god Gene on drums and you'll understand. They have a great line up which will work.
To the first clown who posted, so what if Raymond and Christian are your friends. Go follow their boring band. I listened to their album and it did nothing for me. This article is about the new FEAR FACTORY album which they no longer are a part of. I love the guys to but shit happens and they're no in it. Why people come on and bag something and waste their time amazes me.
A bit worried
I was really hoping for a return of the classic Burton-Dino-Christian-Raymond line-up (Demanufacture is by far my favorite album). Raymond's creative drumming was a big, big part of the fear Factory sound. I'm a bit worried about that new release.
Raymond is an amazing
Raymond is an amazing drummer and he'll be missed, but i think Bell and Dino have always been the engine that drove this band. I was not impressed by anything after Digimortal at all and Dino is an amazing guitarist! I cannot wait to hear new music and and see them on tour!!
Hellz yeah
Raymond is an amazing drummer and he'll be missed, but i think Bell and Dino have always been the engine that drove this band. I was not impressed by anything after Digimortal at all and Dino is an amazing guitarist! I cannot wait to hear new music and and see them on tour!!
Fear Factory is the best
Fear Factory is the best death metal band ever, demanufacture and obsolete are the best albums, i hope this new album will be so fucking aggressive and technical like both of them, i have an answer, is there Rhys Fulber too?? i discovered front line assembly thanks to FF..
ARKAEA sucks bad. The new
ARKAEA sucks bad. The new FEAR FACTORY line up is awesome!
Bring it!
Cannot wait for this new disc to be released! FF Forever!
As excited as I am, I am a
As excited as I am, I am a little peeved, no more Cyberwaste live :(
HaHaHaHa. That's hilarious.
HaHaHaHa. That's hilarious. That's the first song I thought of when I read this article.
Awsomeness!
I love the fact that Dino and Burt are back together in FF, I think this lineup is Kick-arse and I look so much forward to hear this album , some heavy technometal hammering in my ears! I will sure miss Raymond and Cristian they are awsome and I respect them and I hoped they would rejoin to but like I said before This is a kick ass Lineup. Please Come to Iceland Fear Factory.
Ps. don't shit talk Fred Durst hehe he's cool
FF 4 LIFE!!
Dino n Burton are the Heart n Soul of FF
so happy to see them 2 together again after listening to dino's stuff from divine heresy n asesino, there is no doubt he will bring out an amazing new album with Gene n Burt! can't wait!!!!!!
They're all good...
together but the only guy who's doing proper shit since ever is Dino,don't know the guy,don't know anyone but I think Dino stands out for doing great stuff all along while the other guys just missed something...I'd love to put them together cause they're FF:The real ones!But...
As for the 1st bass player...WHO CARES?He's no-one compared to COW in FF's life.Don't diminish COW or RAY.They are part of the best FF album there is and will ever be:"DEMANUFACTURE"-The album that changed Death metal!
Is Hoglan technically better than Ray?Sure,but in music there is mistery called "musically inventive" where someone really straight technically can overcome the boredom off a technicist by expressing innovative ideas and feelings.Ray and Dino created a machine that seemed artificial rhythmic playing,Hoglan is a god of drumming but he followed Ray on SYL,he wasn't the leader.Devin inspired himself in FF&Carcass to do Syl.
So,afterall what matters is:WE CAN TALK SHIT AND WRITE INFANTILE NON-CONSTRUCTIVE BLABLABLAH FOREVER BUT NOTHING'LL BRING THE REAL THING AGAIN.IT CAN BE GREAT BUT IT WON'T BE FF CAUSE IT DIED.
I will hear everything from those guys and probably enjoy their bands but it's a waste of time fighting the "WHO'S THE BEST CONTEST" cause that leads to NOOOOOTHIIIIINGGG!
CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG???
MEKA
Concerned but hyped..
Im a long time fan of Fear Factory and I must admit while I did like a few of the songs off Arkaea's album, it really didn't seem to have much depth. Cliche riffs bolted together in an attempt to break into the nu-metal scene but did nothing new. It wasn't as good as Threat Signal's first album nor was it as good as a FF album.
I really wasn't a fan of Transgression, I did however love Archetype so im not writing off COW's songwriting abilities just yet. However, the fact that Arkaea's YITD album was destined to be the next Fear Factory album speaks volumes about how close the FF brand came to complete and utter destruction. Transgression was a nightmare for me as a long time FF fan, im still shattered that album is on their discography but a second disaster such as the Arkaea album would have been would have seen me give up on the FF dream.. Talk about the bullet narrowly missed!
So now we have a new bass / drummer and the original guitarist from FF back. There is definately some hope here and I for one am grateful that there is one more album worth waiting for coming out of the FF camp. I just hope it can be released with the FF brand and not some new name that comes from this legal battle. Ray and Christian should let it go and Burton and Dino should give them like 10% of any earnings if they continue the brand. I think it would be worth it to see the hundreds of thousands of fans turn up to their gigs.
Bring on February 9 !
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