Fear Factory is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1989. Throughout the band's career, they have released ten full-length albums and have evolved through a succession of sounds, all in their main style of industrial metal. Over the years, Fear Factory has seen frequent changes in its lineup, with lead vocalist Burton C. Bell being the only consistent member for 31 years until his departure in 2020. Guitarist Dino Cazares is the only original member still in the band. The band went on hold in March 2002 following some internal disputes, but resumed activity a year later without founding member Cazares. Previous bassist Christian Olde Wolbers replaced him as the new guitarist, and bassist Byron Stroud joined the band. In April 2009, a new lineup was announced. Cazares returned as guitarist, and Gene Hoglan as drummer. Bell and Stroud reprised their respective roles, and this lineup recorded the band's seventh studio album titled Mechanize (2010). Former members Wolbers and Raymond Herrera—both of whom were playing in Arkaea—disputed the legitimacy of the new lineup, and a legal battle from both parties had begun. Despite this, Fear Factory has since released three more albums: The Industrialist (2012), Genexus (2015) and Aggression Continuum (2021).
Nailbomb was a heavy metal band formed in 1993 as a side project by Brazilian musician Max Cavalera of Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy and Soulfly, and English musician Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel. The band recorded one studio album, Point Blank, and played a warmup live performance and their last ever performance at the 1995 Dynamo Open Air Festival two days later, after which the band immediately disbanded.
Soul of a New Machine is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released on August 25, 1992, by Roadrunner Records. Although this record was Fear Factory's first studio album to be released, it was actually their second album to be recorded, after Concrete, which was recorded earlier but not released until 11 years later. The album's sound mixes together many elements of metal music, described by AllMusic as an early example of alternative metal. German magazine Rock Hard described it as death metal with many other elements such as industrial metal.
Demanufacture is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released on March 3, 1995, by Roadrunner Records. This is the band's first album with their classic line-up, adding new bassist Christian Olde Wolbers. Although credited, his actual input is disputed between current and former band members. Many regard it as the band's best album and a heavy metal classic. The album was certified Gold in Australia by ARIA and Silver in the UK by the BPI.
Digimortal is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released on April 24, 2001 by Roadrunner Records. It is a concept album and the final part of a trilogy that started with Demanufacture and continued with Obsolete. It was the band's last album before officially breaking up in March 2002, though they reformed in 2003.
Obsolete is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released on July 28, 1998, through Roadrunner Records. Conceptually, it is a sequel to 1995's Demanufacture. With the success of its fourth single, a cover version of "Cars" by Gary Numan, featuring Numan himself on vocals, Obsolete would break Fear Factory into the mainstream and remain their highest selling album.
Transgression is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory. It was released on August 22, 2005 through Calvin Records. Guest appearances include Billy Gould, the bassist of Faith No More, and Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton, who co-wrote the song "New Promise". The album was released as an enhanced CD with access to the exclusive Fear Factory website. It was also released as an enhanced DualDisc with the DVD side featuring the whole album in (48,000 kHz), music videos and "The Making of Transgression" video. One could also retrieve another bonus track, entitled "My Grave", by putting the CD into the computer and clicking the 'Music' section at the special website.
Dino Cazares is an American musician, known for being the guitarist and one of the co-founders of industrial metal band Fear Factory. He is also the co-founder of the metal bands Divine Heresy, Asesino, and Brujeria. Cazares popularized the use of digital amp modelling processors, as well as the use of seven and eight-string guitars in metal music.
Christian Olde Wolbers is a Belgian musician, songwriter and producer. He is the bassist and backing vocalist of the rap metal/nu metal band Powerflo, and the bass player of the thrash metal band Vio-lence. He is also a former bassist, guitarist and backing vocalist of the industrial metal band Fear Factory, and the hardcore punk/crossover thrash band Beowülf.
Remanufacture – Cloning Technology is a remix album of Fear Factory's second album Demanufacture, released on May 20, 1997.
Fear Is the Mindkiller is a remix EP containing remixes of songs from the first album Soul of a New Machine by Fear Factory. It was released on April 14, 1993, by Roadrunner Records.
Hatefiles is a compilation album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released by Roadrunner Records on April 8, 2003. It contains rare, unreleased and remixed tracks. The album is notable as it contains "Terminate", the last song to be recorded with original guitarist Dino Cazares until his return to the band in 2009. Graphic designer Dave McKean's artwork is also used.
The Best of Fear Factory is a best-of compilation album released on Roadrunner Records, featuring a collection of Fear Factory's music with the label. The record was released without Fear Factory's involvement, so it's unlikely that the album is officially recognized by the band themselves. Songs from Concrete, as well as their various compilation, live and remix albums, are not included.
Resurrection is an EP by the American heavy metal band Fear Factory. It was released on September 14, 1998.
"Archetype" is a song by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released from the album of the same title. The single was released on the same day as the album itself, on April 19, 2004. It is the fifth track of the album and was also included on the MTV2 Headbangers Ball, Vol. 2 compilation in September 2004. Months prior to the release of Fear Factory's studio album, however, an exclusive remix of "Archetype" was included on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Album in November 2003. This version features a more electronic sound and softer ending.
"Shock" is a song by American heavy metal band Fear Factory. It was released as the lead single from their third album Obsolete (1998) and is the first track on the album. Its music was composed by guitarist Dino Cazares and drummer Raymond Herrera. The lyrics were written by vocalist Burton C. Bell. The introduction of a concept album, "Shock" introduces its protagonist, a political prisoner known only as Edgecrusher, who declares his personal mission to destroy the totalitarian society in which he lives.
"Linchpin" is a single by American heavy metal band Fear Factory from their album Digimortal. It peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Burton Christopher Bell is an American musician and vocalist. He is best known as the co-founder and former frontman of the metal band Fear Factory. Until 2021 he was the only member to perform on all of the band's albums. His singing style mixes clean and shouted vocals with death growls.
Mechanize is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory. It is the only album to feature Gene Hoglan on drums and the first since 2001's Digimortal to include original guitarist and founding member Dino Cazares, who rejoined the band after a reconciliation with lead vocalist Burton C. Bell, in April 2009. The album was produced by Rhys Fulber, who had not produced or been involved with a Fear Factory album since Archetype. The album has received mostly positive reviews from fans and music critics, being praised for its very aggressive and heavy sound. In its first week of release, the album sold 10,000 copies.
The Industrialist is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released on June 5, 2012.
