A new version of Fear Factory has been officially launched featuring the band's original members Dino Cazares and Burton C. Bell alongside bassist Byron Stroud and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan. The band is scheduled to play a number of shows this summer as well as record a studio album.
U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine recently spoke to Dino and Burton about their decision to reform Fear Factory and their future plans.
Metal Hammer: This has come as something of a surprise. Aren't you guys supposed to hate each other?
Burton C Bell: "Well, you know, we were friends before we were in a band together and after a while we forgot what it was all about. The first time we saw each other in a long time was at the Ministry show in L.A., and we just started talking again. It was like, 'I don't really remember what it was all about!' It's like, good friendships will always return, basically."
Metal Hammer: Were you surprised by that? Had you avoided each other?
Burton: "We never really avoided it, we were just never in the same place. We were in the same place that one night and it was like seeing an old friend again, and it was good!"
Dino: "Burt lives in Pennsylvania and I live in California, so obviously we never really had a chance to see each other. When we did see each other, it was like 'What's up, buddy? How're you doing?' It was like we'd never stopped being friends. It wasn't weird, it just felt good. I already know him! Ha ha ha!"
Metal Hammer: When did you decide that this was going to be FF and not just a new project?
Dino: "Well, Burton pretty much approached me with that idea, and how could I say no? I'd be jamming with my old friend again and it'd great to collaborate with him because we wrote some of the best music of our lives together."
Metal Hammer: Have you guys rehearsed together yet?
Dino: "Yesterday was our first rehearsal. It was amazing. The vibe was really good. It felt like we never stopped jamming. You know, Burton's always got a million ideas and obviously I shit out riffs, and playing with one of the best drummers in the world…for me, it's one of the best collaborations that I've ever been a part of."
Metal Hammer: Do you have specific aims for the new FF or are you keeping an open mind about the possibilities?
Dino: "There are definitely specific things we want to achieve, but we have to approach this with an open mind. We don't want to fully repeat ourselves, what we've done in the past, but we definitely do want to make this album the future of a classic record."
Metal Hammer: A lot of bands are reforming these days and everyone always plays all the old classics…is that your plan too?
Dino: "One of the things about FF's m.o. is that we were always a band that evolved, and that's something we want to achieve now too. It's obvious that we've got my signature right hand, my guitar, and we've got Burton's signature vocals, but we've got a different drummer and this is eight years later, so there's gonna be some different ideas and we're gonna make it the best it can be. We're not gonna put out a record that's half-assed. It's going to be 100 percent FEAR FACTORY and it's going to be the future."
Burton: "I wouldn't say this is a reunion or a reformation. It's more of a reorganization. FF has been rolling around, even though we haven't been chugging out records. The last one was four years ago, but it's just in a state of reorganization now."
Dino: "I know a lot of bands, when they get back together they can basically go out and tour off the classics and that's great. That's something that we're definitely going to do and I know a lot of the fans are going to want to hear Dino's guitar sound back into the mix, and we're really happy to be able to give them that. We're going to have some European festivals coming up, including Sonisphere."
Metal Hammer: …and you're doing Bloodstock too, right?
Dino: "Yeah, we're doing Bloodstock as well and some other festivals in Spain and Italy."
YES. This is awesome news. Christian was always the expendable one, but it sucks that Raymond won't be involved. As long as Burton and Dino get back to basics, this should undoubtedly rule. Nostalgia FTW.
post by nick tas at Apr 29,2009 10:25am
Yo Kyle, Jim and I were out of our mind tired one night at 4am talking about how we have to cover every song on Demanufacture because of how brutal it was. Then we listened to the album for the first time since 8th grade and had a change of heart.
chrstian and raymond are in another band that sounds just like fear factory, haha
I can't really agree with that. After listening to the song they just released, it sounds like Lamb of God crossed with the last few Textures albums (which suck). Their vocalist is no Burton Bell, his clean vocals are reminiscent of Linkin Park. Shit is gay!
bennyhillifier This was at the Palladium many years ago, and I was ripped out of my mind at this show. This was one of the rare occasions they played Securitron live, and it's a perfect example of FF's capabilities.
post by DYA NLI at Apr 29,2009 11:16am
ITT: THE DUDE FROM BRUJERIA DROPS IT INTO NEUTRAL AND COLLECTS A PAYCHECK
Mike: Holy shit, I think I was at that show. I know I've definitely told this story on here before, but the show was sold out, and Burton got my friends and I in for free.
I will say that demanufacture and soul of a new machine are decent albums.
post by MikeofDecrepitude at Apr 29,2009 11:35am edited Apr 29,2009 11:36am
Out of like the 30 times I've seen them, that was easily one of their best performances. Mike, that's awesome that Burton hooked it up, and not a surprise either. I remember one time he got me into an interview he was doing, and then just hung out after and shot the shit with me until they went on. Also hooked it up with free merch on other occasions too. Dino and Burton are two of the most down to earth people I've met.
when I met dino on the slayer tour in 97 or 98, he was a super nice guy, but wouldn't take his face out of his personal organizer. They were awesome then.
Christian was nice when I dealt with him via emails.
I believe I was on the list for that FF show in the video above, but failed to go due to excessive sand in my vagina.
Yo Kyle, Jim and I were out of our mind tired one night at 4am talking about how we have to cover every song on Demanufacture because of how brutal it was. Then we listened to the album for the first time since 8th grade and had a change of heart.
I actually remember Jim telling me about this a while ago. I had a good laugh... I would love to have heard you guys cover that
Yes, his drums are triggered to hell on Strapping Young Lad's albums, and the Dethklok album
I'm not sure if his drums on Death's records are triggered though. I would assume at least the kicks are. I've seen him play live with Strapping Young Lad, dude is a fucking monster, triggers or not
post by moenli at Apr 29,2009 3:31pm
yea, i'll be honest...I'm kind of interested to see what this lineup cranks out
I enjoy Soul and Demanufacture. I thought Archetype was decent, but the last one was god-awful
to be honest i hated Transgression when it first came out. i have since gave it another chance and have found it to be quite enjoyable. Archetype was pretty good. hell, i even sort of enjoy half of Digimortal. Demanufacture is obviously their best though. just the atmosphere and everything, was and still is spot on. Obselete is great too. they really are just a good band even if a ton of fags listen to them and think they are the heaviest thing since John Goodman.
post by C.dEaD at Apr 30,2009 12:56pm
I love old FF. Some of my fav. stuff of old Roadrunner catalog, but I never got why "Obsolete" was good. When it came out I wasn't that excited for it because "Remanufacture" was a pile of shit. I gave "Obsolete" a chance, listened to whole thing when my friend brought it over. We both wanted to punch the cd player.
Fear Factory isn't Fear Factory without Raymond Herrera, despite my love for Gene Hoglan. i would love to see them go back to basics, they are one of my long standing top bands despite the bullshit, but it won't happen. Transgressions was absolute garbage, and the last one Dino was on, Digimortal, was also total garbage. Archetype was the step back to the way things used to be, despite track 2 having the worst lyrics i think i've ever heard. i have no faith in this.
I'd say FF isn't truly FF without all three original members. Herrera is a crucial aspect of FF because he came up with all of those inventive beats. Losing Dino was a major blow because he wrote all of their best songs. Digimediocre could have been good, for it had a cool transhumanist concept behind it. Unfortunately label pressure made them dilute their sound because Roadrunner wants all of their bands to sell albums and release hit singles like Nickleback did. Transgression just lacked good riffs, which is odd because the opening track is one of the best songs they've written. And two cover songs on one album? Eh..
