Fear Factory - Mechanize (Candlelight/Stomp)

Let’s summarise the soap opera that has been the recent history of Fear Factory: in 2002, after 13 years and four studio albums, some kind of massive breakdown occurred and the band split up, only to reform shortly after minus guitarist Dino Cazares. Bass player Christian Olde Wolbers moved onto guitar and Byron Stroud, formerly of Strapping Young Lad, joined on bass. This line-up released two albums: 2004’s Archetype, which was very much in the vein of previous releases, and then 2005’s poorly received Transgression, which was very much not.

Fast-forward to 2009, and vocalist Burton C. Bell and Cazares re-kindled both their friendship and their working relationship. Stroud remained in the line-up, leaving no place for Wolbers; and legendary human drum machine Gene Hoglan was called in to take the place of founding drummer Raymond Herrera, who had been working with Wolbers. Clearly a division had occurred – Bell & Cazares versus Wolbers & Herrera - and this was played out in the metal media with name-calling, accusations, and eventually law suits.

Finally, it seems the dust has settled and the new line-up has emerged, played live shows and recorded an album, their first for Candlelight Records, utilising the talents of long-time producer and collaborator Rhys Fulber. That album is Mechanize.

So the first question on everyone’s lips: does it sound like Fear Factory? Fans can rest easy because this is no Transgression – this is the band at its pure, classic, industrial best. The electronic elements are back, along with trademark slick production, machine-gun drum fire, epic riffage, and tortured vocals.

Bell has stated in interviews that this time around the theme is not, as has been the case in the past, a futuristic dystopia; rather, he feels current events are more horrifying than anything he could concoct. The future has arrived kids, and it’s a doozy.

The album opens with the title track, and there’s no doubt that we’re in familiar territory. The industrial feel is strong, the snare is fast and nasty, the guitars are right where they should be, and Bell’s growls drop to a harsh whisper for the verse and soar up cleanly over the chorus. It’s spine-tingling stuff, and very Fear Factory-esque.

Moving along, and we’re treated to more of the same. Industrial Discipline will no doubt emerge as a favourite – it has the kind of sing-along chorus that characterises classic Fear Factory live stalwarts like Self Bias Resistor and Resurrection. Fear Campaign, for which a video is in production, continues the strong opening with more speedy thrashing verses and melodic choruses, as does Powershifter, the first single previewed on the band’s MySpace page.

In fact, further examination is unnecessary and I’ll leave it to the listener: the rest of the album builds on the same solid foundations, track after track. Driving, machine-gun, rapid-fire drums: check. Filling Herrera’s shoes would always be a tough task, but Hoglan is one of the best drummers in the world for a reason. Great riffs: check. Dino Cazares, we missed you! Vocals that bark, snarl and then take off and fly: check. Burton C. ‘I’m not a metal guy’ Bell, it’s good to hear from you.

The album finishes on a slightly mellower note, as is often the case on Fear Factory releases: closing track Final Exit is about the organisation of the same name, which offers compassionate assistance to those seeking “self-deliverance” from incurable suffering. It’s a thought-provoking end to a thought-provoking 45 minutes.

Mechanize is a good, solid release, a great release, the kind of release we’ve been wanting from Fear Factory for a long time. Will it be a classic album, up there with the likes of Demanufacture and Obsolete? Perhaps not; but only time will tell.

Mechanize is out in February on Candlelight/Stomp.