This is Fear Factory.
They’ve been a pioneering force in industrial groove metal since the band’s inception in 1989.
Some line-up changes, members that have left and returned, and 9 full length albums make for a long and complex story.
As of Spring of 2016, the band is out touring on a retro revival tip playing the full, “Demanufacture” album for a few select dates. That was the band’s second album and was released in 1995. Critics consider it a defining album from a band that has many.
Fear Factory’s last full length disseminated through the masses in August of 2015 under the title of, “Genexus”.
“Genexus” is a concept album, with the title combining the words “genesis” and “nexus.” It explores what happens when the difference between humans and machines becomes invisible. “Expiration Date” is the last track on the album and the finale of the story. Longtime fans know vocalist Burton C. Bell has a sort of toggle switch between heavy as concrete death growls, and a haunting low baritone of smooth vocals. However, this track highlights the softer end, yet still maintains a crushing melodic simplicity that has always served Fear Factory well.
Bell comments on the track: “With Genexus we didn’t want to do away with the melodic vocals, so we approached every song in a new way and used a combination of growls, melodic screams and clean singing. For ‘Expiration Date’ the music just didn’t call for death metal vocals at all.”
While not the face-peeling intensity that probably brought most fans to the FF camp, this is a solid track that your non-metal loving girlfriend might let you slip into the road trip mix.
It is unknown if the band will be sneaking some new material into sets on the current tour. As mentioned before, they are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band’s landmark album, “Demanufacture” and touring the following dates in support of that release by playing the whole album in its entirety.
Mar. 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
Mar. 24 – San Antonio, TX – Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music
Mar. 25 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Mar. 26 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
Apr. 02 – Fayetteville, NC – Rock Shop
Apr. 03 – Norfolk, VA – Norva
Apr. 05 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head
Apr. 06 – New York, NY – Gramercy
Apr. 09 – Worcester, MA – Palladium
Apr. 12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
Apr. 14 – Cleveland, OH – Agora
Apr. 15 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
Apr. 19 – Chicago, IL – Concord
Apr. 20 – Ringle, WI – Q and Z Expo Center
Apr. 21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
Apr. 24 – Denver, CO – Summit
Apr. 27 – Idaho Falls, ID – Hitt Event Center
May 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda
And for long time fans… this is truly a treat.
