When it comes to naming a band that defines what is called the “industrial metal” sound, Fear Factory is atop the list. There music sounds very robotic sounding, and they use a plethora of different synth sounds. This style does not take away from the music though, and the result is a very heavy and texturally interesting metal album.
One will notice immediately how obnoxiously fake the drums sound on this record; at the same time, that person will also notice how those sounds really shape the band’s tone. Each snare punches through clearly and with maximum force, while the kick drum notes come through in the same manner at ridiculous speeds. This style of production gives the album a very crisp, clear sound while also making the songs punchier. The robotic sound has become very common in metal, but Fear Factory’s use of it seems to stick out to me more than others; They really incorporate the production into their songs as opposed to a band that plays their music without acknowledging how the producer is going to shape it.
Before I began listening to this album, I was sure I was in for 45 minutes of fast-paced metal with no slowing down—and I was right. However, with that assumption, I also figured that each song would sound pretty much similar all of the others—on that assumption, I was wrong. Though each song contains the same elements (crazy fast kick-drumming, subtle synth work, and simple guitar work) each song really has its own place on the album. Some songs seem really vocally centered; others on the production have singing while some have more complex harmonies than others…In a genre that does not allow for much variation, I thought that Fear Factory did a fantastic job keeping the album interesting throughout.
Key Tracks: Recharger, God Eater, Difference Engine
Seth Wood-MuzikReviews.com Contributor
June 15, 2012
