Fear Factory - Mechanize Review

Posted by Chris Crowing on 02.09.2010

Industrial metal legends Fear Factory have returned with a new album! Does it meet their usually exemplary standards, or is this one line-up shift too far? 411’s Chris Crowing checks in with the full review…



01. Mechanize
02. Industrial Discipline
03. Fear Campaign
04. Powershifter
05. Christploitation
06. Oxidizer
07. Controlled Demolition
08. Designing The Enemy
09. Metallic Division
10. Final Exit

Following a contentious split last year, Fear Factory reformed, welcoming founder-member Dino Cazares and former Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan into the fold, and sending long-time members Christian Olde-Wolbers and Ray Herrera away to form Arkaea (who's album was pretty damned good, largely only lacking in Burton C Bell's vocals, sufficing with Generic Metal Singer 187 to mediocre results.)

The particulars of the split variously delighted, concerned and essentially divided long term fans, as the return of Cazares could herald a return to their late 90s glory days, but the loss of Olde-Wolbers and Herrera was a grievous one.

That said, Byron Stroud has done a fine job since stepping into the bass position for Archetype and who better to replace Herrera than a Devin Tonwsend approved, industrial legend in Hoglan?

So, does Fear Factory Version 4.0 excel or underwhelm?



The title track opens proceedings with a sound effect that is eerily reminiscent of the anvil sounds which opened the seminal Demanufacture record, and it is immediately apparent that Dino Cazares unparalleled right hand is back in full effect with some judderingly heavy and direct riffage infusing both the track and the entire album.

It's hard to pick individual songs out for particular praise, as virtually every song uses the same, well established Fear Factory pattern where Dino (showing occasional Divine Heresy-esque solos as well to his customary FF riffage) and Burton take turns to shine, with synth assisted beat-downs giving space to appreciate the quality of Stroud and Hoglan as more than mere accompaniment.

Fear Factory have always been a band who have rewarded repeat listens to differentiate the subtleties woven into the seemingly unrelenting riffage and furious wrath, and while this album is lacking in obvious singles like "Archetype" or "Resurrection" a few songs shine out above the generally excellent level.

"Mechanize", "Powershifter" and "Oxidize" are probably the most direct and perhaps radio friendly songs on the record (well, they have the catchiest riffs and most defined choruses) even though Burton's more operatic vocals are reserved for the choruses of "Controlled Demolition" and "Industrial Discipline" between some of the chunkiest riffs on the album.



"Christploitation" opens up with some synth effects that wouldn't be out of place on a mid-90s Paradise Lost record before breaking out into an infectiously lurching riff and some histrionic choral effects followed by a more direct assault. Indeed halfway through the song, they break out into an almost Sepultura-like passage, before breaking out into the piano and chorals again. Industrial Blackened Death Metal? I LIKE it!

This song is probably my favourite from the record if only because it's a bit different and the breaks between genres make me laugh out loud when listening to the record on my iPod.



"Designing the Enemy" opens up with a lurching riff and Burton in expansive vocal mode reminiscent of "Resurrection" before the song gets down to it's true heavy pace for the verse, before returning to the haunting 'all you are, I have been' chorus. The contrast between the soaring vocals and the juddering riff makes this a truly effecting piece of music...

"Final Exit" closes the record in epic fashion with Burton in fine voice throughout in the closest thing this album has to a stadium-filling sing-along - not to say this song isn't heavy as a heavy thing, it just has it's soaring moments and they are a million times more heartfelt, emotive and awe inspiring than any of the contrived 'anthems' we see provided by the likes of the Lostprophets. Seriously, this song sends shivers down my spine it's SO beautiful and a more fitting exeunt to a record characterised with such passion I couldn't imagine...



The fact that the album fades out with a sweeping chords and a sweep arpeggio, and the last words Burton says are 'goodbye' does leave me with the horrid fear that my beloved Fear Factory may be considering calling it a day once this tour cycle is over...

So, Dino's return is a success, Burton C Bell continues to show why he's one of the five best singers in metal (although without as obvious a glory moment as offered on previous records), Gene Hoglan occupies Ray Herrera's drum stool in such a way that we don't miss the legend and Byron Stroud puts in another commendable bass performance. As a long term fan, I'd loved this to have been Bell/Cazares/Olde-Wolbers/Herrera, but the finished product was well worth the change in the guard.

This record is definitely a return to the sound of Fear Factory's most successful period in the late 90s, sounding like it could have been recorded between Demanufacture and Obsolete, and this makes it a leaner, more aggressive record than the lacklustre Digimortal, the slightly chart-friendly Archetype and the over processed Transgression.

However, it lacks some of the punch and originality of their best work - at the end of the day, they are returning to a sound they perfected over twelve years ago!

I would say that was more of a concern the first time I listened to the album, as repeated listens have erased any fears that it's merely a nostalgia trip, and this is possibly the most affecting metal record I've heard since Mastodon's Crack the Skye.

Slainte,
Chris Crowing

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The 411: The best industrial metal album you'll hear this year, a must-buy for all fans of things heavy and passionate. If you are a newcomer to Fear Factory, pick up Demanufacture and Obsolete as well, but Mechanize is the best record in this style I've heard since the millennium. Buy this record...

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]