Fear Factory – ‘Fear is the Mindkiller’
Roadrunner, 1993
Gloon:
After the groundbreaking ‘Soul of a New Machine’ Fear Factory decided to take their love of industrial and technology to new levels by dropping some beats and loops into their cyber deathmetal template. ‘Fear is the Mindkiller’ features 4 songs from their label debut remixed and tweaked with what at the time would have been referred to as techno. Dance beats gleefully tap along to classics such as ‘Martyr’, ‘Self Immolation’ and ‘Scapegoat’, while simplistic and mainly involving repetitive loops and beats nothing like it had been done previously and I am sure a lot of metal heads were left confused as to whether to embrace the weirdness or curse the blasphemous swines for their gayness. In the end it was little more than a gimmicky little EP but it helped pave the way for a swag of new bands and laid the groundwork for what was to be the almighty ‘Demanufacture’ release. Hardly essential these days but still a groundbreaking release in its day, worth trackin down to complete the FF collection.
Favourite Tracks – Martyr, Self Immolation, Scumgrief
Rating – 7.5/10


Fear Factory - Digimortal
Roadrunner, 2001
Gloon:
Fear Factory return after what seems like a lifetime, and some of us would wish they hadn't bothered. I have been into FF for a long time now and have enjoyed their evolution from Cyber-death metallers to one of the big boys of world metal. I liked 'Obsolete' alot and didn't appreciate the calls of 'Nu Metal Sell Out' that were thrown their way. All I can say now is, call away. 'Digimortal' is a compromise, and that means 'IT IS' a sell out. The music has been dumbed down and the songs shortened to help appeal to the 'wider' sheep audience and their limited attention spans. Burton's vocals have also suffered with all the power and anger that he can display, being nicely mixed and leashed for commercial appeal (hell forbid any listeners felling any emotions other than half arsed appreciation). The song writing has also been restrained, sure there is still the futuristic imagery and technology paranoia, but its definitely lacking when compared to previous efforts.
There are some good moments namely 'Digimortal' and 'Linchpin' which both follow the 'Edgecrusher' formula, however these are offset by the truely low moments, like the horrible rap track 'Back the Fuck Up' featuring B-Real from Cypress Hill. I can truely say I haven't been this disappointed since Machine Head released 'The Burning Red' and Metallica turned into a rock band. Fear Factory R.I.P.
Favourite Tracks - Linchpin, Digimortal
Mark - 6.5/10


Fear Factory ‘Linchpin Special Australian Tour EP’
Roadrunner, 2001
Gloon:
This seven track Aussie exclusive includes 3 unreleased tracks from various video game ventures, 2 live tracks and the single ‘Linchpin’ from the ahem, disappointing Digimortal album which was to be the bands last. The computer game cuts are interesting if nothing else, ‘Frequency’ being the only real song as such. The remixed version of ‘Invisible Wounds’ is a total waste of time with dismal alterations to sound and structure. As for the live tracks of ‘Replica’ and ‘Edge Crusher’ well they sound bloody terrible and I feel sorry for the poor bastards that saw them live that day. But wait there is more, this little useless EP also doubles as a Enhanced CD so we get the ‘Kornpin’ film clip (truly embarrassing for any long term fans) and a snippet of the band recording (yet this didn’t work). So overall was it worth the ten bucks? I’d say who cares!!!!!! Fear Factory are dead for better or worse and this little collectors item is just that, a useless collectors item. Buy it to round off the full catalogue and tease your overseas friends, otherwise don’t bother.
Favourite Tracks – no comment
Rating – 5/10


Fear Factory 'Concrete'
Roadrunner, 2002
Gloon:
'Concrete' (once known as the Ross Robinson demos) sees the release of Fear Factory`s very first recorded effort back in 1991. It consists of 16 tracks, 8 of which were re recorded for their 1992 Roadrunner debut 'Soul Of A New Machine'. The other 8 tracks consist of four that have been rewritten into other songs and four that have never, until know, been released or heard. This is really a far cry from the commercial crap that FF released with 'Digimortal' and in my eyes a much better swansong for their career, even if it was recorded over decade ago. 'Concrete' is raw, spitefull death metal with FF's trademark groove and even some blistering grind elements (check out the outro to Big God/Raped Souls). The 'Soul of a New Machine' tracks are instantly recognisable though are harsher and have a less industrial feel and more traditional death metal roots. Burton's vocals stay more in the guttural death realms and lack power and definition in the clearer passages, this strangely works to their advantage as I found the clear vocals in SOANM at times distracting and out of place. 'Concrete' finishes the Fear Factory saga and in a way completes the circle by adding the last missing piece of their musical progession. A must for fans and metalheads alike, Fear Factory can now leave the scene with some more dignity and well earned respect.
Favourite Tracks - Self Immolation, Big God/Raped Souls, Concrete
Rating - 8.5/10


Fear Factory ‘Archetype’
Roadrunner, 2004
Gloon:
They’re back!!!!!!!! After a crap album, a feud, a breakup, and a reformation (minus original member Dino Cazares) Fear Factory mark 2 return to action. With the departure of Dino, Christian now moves from bass to guitar and new honorary member Byron Stroud (Strapping Young Lad) takes over the four string duties. Whether a coincidence or just a return to form the guitar sound now returns to the abrasive heaviness of the ‘Demanufacture’ era and the bass losses a lot of the Kornism that plagued the band’s last release. Burton’s vocals have also returned to the harsher days of FF with genuine aggression flowing through his voice again and not the restrained shite that was on offer during ‘Digimortal’. All the now classic trademarks of the band are back in place, the industrial heaviness, the insane kicks and battery and the haunting clean vocals. Title track ‘Archetype’ typifies these characteristics while also seeming having a swipe at a certain former member ‘The infection has been removed, The soul of this machine has improved’, (well if Dino was the infection responsible for ‘Digimortal’ than good riddance I say). The now patented ballad type number is also present in the form of ‘Bite the Hand that Bleeds You’ and the futuristic man vs machine theme is kept in tact through ‘Corporate Cloning’.  ‘Archetype’ while still maintaining some suspect songwriting (single Cyberwaste comes to mine) is a fine return to form for band who forged a unique sound and identity only to lose it to the lure of the big dollars in years past. I am happy to say that I am back on the Fear Factory wagon and long may I stay there as long as the band continues to release albums of this quality.
Favourite Tracks – Archetype, Act of God, Slave Labour
Rating – 8/10


Fear Factory ‘Transgression’
Roadrunner, 2005
Gloon:
Continuing in the same vein as last years Archetype, albeit with a few minor tweaks, Transgression is another solid indication that the metal still flows in the hearts of the band and ‘Digimortal’ was just a blip on the graph. Kicking off surprisingly with a mellower number in the form of ‘540000 Degrees Fahrenheit’ it is immediately obvious that while the core sound and aspects of the band are still intact some changes are a foot. For the most part this ‘experimentation’ is gradual and occurs more as the album progresses as if the band is trying to ween you onto their softer, rockier approach. Tracks such as ‘New Promise’ and ‘I Will Follow’ will definitely be hit or miss stuff with established fans but hardly detract from the album like say a ‘Back the fuck Up’ did. Fear not however as there is still plenty of abrasive cyber metal to be found, ‘Spinal Compression’ is classic FF with a huge chorus while ‘Contagion’ sees the trademark harsh to soft approach which the band produce so well. Burton again ceases to amaze as he’s versatility and scope is one full display from the balladesque ‘Echo of my Scream’ to the rocky ‘Supernova’ hes clean vocals have again improved. Overall this is an album of two halves the more traditional Fear Factory songs and the more lets say less metal songs, however with the exception of ‘I Will Follow’ everything on here is as expected and I think most fans will dig it, I know I have.
Favourite Tracks – Transgression, Contagion, Supernova
Rating – 8/10
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