|
|
| DATA |
|
RELEASE DATE: 2010-02-05
LABEL: AFM Records
TRACKLIST:
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
|
| |
|
|
Mechanize
Fear Factory
THE REVIEW:
The year 2009 was probably the strangest in Fear Factory´s history. First on April 7th Burton C. Bell and ex-guitarist Dino Cazares, who left the band in 2002 after ending up into a rift with Burton, announced the reconciliation of their friendship, and the formation of a new project with Byron Stroud on bass and drummer Gene Hoglan (Death, Strapping Young Lad). Only a few weeks later on April 28th, this project was revealed to actually be a new version of Fear Factory, which meant that the original members drummer Raymond Herrera and guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers were kicked out from the band. This of course led into legal complications who had the right to use the name ”Fear Factory” and because of that the band had to cancel almost every show in 2009. The new version of Fear Factory stated that “they canceled their touring plans so that they can finish up writing and recording the next “Fear Factory” album”. The album which was recorded during the fall / winter of 2009 will be released on February 5th in Europe through AFM Records and on February 9th in US through Candlelight Records.
“Mechanize” marks as the seventh full-length release for the new incarnation of Fear Factory. For me after watching the battle the members have had of the band name I am still not sure if I accept the dirty game Burton C. Bell and Dino Cazarez have played to drop Christian Wolbers and Raymond Herrera off from the band´s new line-up but still let´s but these things aside for a bit and focus into the main thing which of course is brand new album “Mechanize”. The band´s vocalist Burton has stated in an interview that the new album has the raw aggression of “Soulf Of A Machine” combined to the song writing skills of “Obsolete”. With this being said I really must say that the band has taken a step forward into their roots with “Mechanize”. The album definitely sounds like more like the old Fear Factory with double-bass insanity from Gene, precise and shredding guitar work from Dino and monstrous vocals from Burton. To be honest if you compare “Mechanize” to the previous Fear Factory albums “Transgession” and “Archetype” the guitar work is a notch better, the song structures more ass-kicking and most of all the whole album a lot tighter than it´s predecessors. It´s really hard to pick up a personal favorites from “Mechanize” but tracks entitled “Controlled Demolition”, “Powershifter” and “Mechanize” are definitely worth checking out because of their sheer brutality and merciless attitude.
After listening to “Mechanize” I have come to a conclusion that Fear Factory really needs both Dino and Burton to sound as heavy as they sound today. The album brings the old good days of Fear Factory into my mind and I can definitely recommend to everyone who wants to get their neck sore from head banging to grab this album when it arrives in stores on February 5th in Europe and February 9th in US. “Mechanize” is a living proof that the band is back in the game and as mindblowing as they should be!
BY: Arto Mäenpää (adebisi85) on 2009-12-22
RANK:
 
|
