So we now are at the conclusion of part one of the 90’s and the band up for review is Fear Factory. Fear Factory is one of those bands where everyone who was into metal would talk about them. So here goes….
Soul of a New Machine- I hadn’t really heard anything off this album but I will say that this is a record where they were heavily influenced by Napalm Death. It’s got that grindcore vibe to it but then there’s the singing elements to it which was groundbreaking at the time. Overall, a great album and I give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Leechmaster, Crash Test, Desecrate
Demanufacture- here’s where they found their sound. This record is a masterpiece and is a classic. This is the first record to feature Christian Olde Wolbers on bass (Dino Cazares played bass and guitar on the last record). I guess this is part of a trilogy of concept albums. This one’s about a man’s struggles against a machine-controlled government, with each song a chapter in his life. I give this album a 10/10
Standouts: Self Bias Respirator, New Breed, Demanufacture
Obsolete- this one definitely feels like a sequel to Demanufacture. This one’s about how man invents technology so much so that he becomes obsolete. There’s even a cover song of Cars and it’s an interesting song to but on the album. This is another great record and a terrific album to listen to right after the previous. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Freedom or Fire, Securitron-Police State 2000, Hi-Tech Hate
Digimortal- this is the last part of the trilogy and it’s about man and machine becoming one and humans and machines depending on each other in order to survive. It’s also the last to feature founding guitarist Dino Cazares. B-Real from Cypress Hill guest vocals on the song Back The Fuck Up. Out of the three albums for their concept records, this one is probably their weakest. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Linchpin, Acres of Skin, No One
Archetype- so this is the first album with out Dino on guitars so bassist Christian Olde Wolbers switched to guitar and play bass on the album. I hadn’t really heard much off of this except for the title track and the song Bite The Hand That Feeds which is featured on the movie soundtrack for Saw. I was actually kind of expecting a slower and even softer album but that’s not the case here. I actually really enjoyed this album a lot. It’s just as heavy and melodic as any of their other albums. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Act of God, Bonescraper, Cyberwaste
Transgression- this one would be the last album to feature original drummer Raymond Herrera and guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers. The production on this album seems rushed and it’s definitely not up to par with other Fear Factory albums. Mark Morton from Lamb of God does co write the song New Promise but even then, this album is just meh. There’s also covers from Killing Joke and U2. I give this one 6/10
Standouts: Spinal Compression, New Promise, Moment of Impact
Mechanize- the first new album with Dino back and now we also have Byron Stroud from Strapping Young Lad on bass and the legendary Gene Hoglan on drums. This record is so much heavier than the previous record and having Gene replace Raymond was a great choice as both are incredible drummers. I was a little leery about going into this record with out the classic lineup but I was pleasantly surprised. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Controlled Demolition, Metallic Division, Oxidizer
The Industrialist- so now we go back to the concept record and it’s about all the incarnation of all industries becoming an automation. Music wise it seems like a continuation of the last album but I feel that it’s not as strong as the last album. This is also the first record to use drum machines instead of a live drummer. Overall this one is just ok. I give it 6/10
Standouts: Virus of Faith, Recharger, Depraved Mind Murder
Genexus- I went into this thinking it wasn’t going to be that good seeing as how the last album was bland. This one definitely exceeded expectations. Is it groundbreaking or anything new? No not really. Is it as good as say Obsolete or even Mechanize? Yes it’s up there. While it’s nothing new, it’s the band just making a record the way they know how and it’s a straight forward industrial thrash record. The songs are much better here than they were on the last record and they seem like they attempted to go back to their roots a little here. I give this 8/10
Standouts: Promotech, Battle For Utopia, Autonomous Combat System
This is a great band to dive back into especially since it’s been forever since I’ve listened to their stuff. Overall, a pretty consistent band as far as good albums go. It’s just too bad that they can’t work out their differences and get back out there to write and record a new album with the classic line up. I wish I would’ve seen these guys live when I had the chance to so hopefully that can happen.
Final Grade: B+
Album Rankings:
- Demanufacture
- Obsolete
- Archetype
- Mechanize
- Soul of a New Machine
- Digimortal
- Genexus
- The Industrialist
- Transgression
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