Since I'm still somewhat new to MS (at least to the forums) I was wondering if we're allowed to talk about leaked-but-not-yet-officially-released albums without getting curbstomped. (I've preordered and already paid for the album, so it's not like I'm cheating the artist out of money.)

Anyway, after only one listen I'm happy with the album, though things may change a dozen more spins later. The first half is pretty cool and all, but to me it sounded like FF on autopilot. Good stuff, but it's just what you'd expect from FF.

The second half made a much better first impression overall. I can see Collapse, Manufactured Hope, Cognitive Dissonance and Monolith becoming my favorites of this album (even if Monolith is somewhat radio-friendly and mainstream). End of Line is surprisingly NOT the usual mellow closer, which is nice, though I would have been totally fine with something slow and soft like most of FF's album closers. Considering this is Burton C. Bell's last FF album it would have been nice to end things a bit more traditionally. Although this is the third time he quit the band, so never say never.

Written by Brutal Water on 16.06.2021 at 13:38

Since I'm still somewhat new to MS (at least to the forums) I was wondering if we're allowed to talk about leaked-but-not-yet-officially-released albums without getting curbstomped.

Discuss away. We do have a 30-day grace period from the release date for official reviews before guest reviews will be accepted, but forum comments are always encouraged.

Just avoid sharing any links to illegal means of accessing the music you're discussing, as that will immediately get you permabanned.

Got it, thanks for the info!

Good album. Shame Burton left but I understand if you can't survive on factory wages (I just can't get enough of this joke hehe)

I've also downloaded the album almost a week ago. Not quite sure what to think about it. It is filled with energy and punchy riffs and drums, yet no song really makes it out of the lot. I will buy the album being a FF fan since the nineties but as a tribute to Burton C. Bell. Without him this is the end of it, no matter what Dino says. Every song comes with a lot of eletronic, mostly sounding like tekno stuff more than the usual industrial tone. There are also a lot of introductory words and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy as the album seems to tell a story the way Obsolete did decades ago. Not a bad album so far but cannot compare to Genexus which is great imo.

This is my third listen, yet I get nothing but a WTFIT feeling. Where's the industrial aggressive-spanking sound? The insane screaming vocals, the riffle-shot drums along fast and massively heavy riffs? Are you serious this is FF? Because I must be nuts, but I felt like listening to a bit heavier version of some of the last In Flames albums, and that sucks at a top level. The lyrics? Damn! Didn't give it a 4 because I respect these guys a lot, but this surely is one of the biggest letdowns in a long time for me.

Feel sorry that the album got leaked earlier itself. I think most have already listened to it by now.

Why this brilliant and a masterpiece of " brute force" so low recognition and a low rate? I don't understand you " people of metal " . Or it's because the band are from USA ( some hate here ? ) I'm a huge fan from FF and this album is by far one of the big 3. For all the haters...think again and listen carefully the entire album and give him justice ( 9/10 ).

I've been noticing many metal bands have been giving in to the temptation of replacing many of their elemental sonic characteristics with massive electronic effects. It might work for some, but it does get horrible and garble the band's originality and the experience you expect to have by listening to it. And there are very high doses of this problem happening here. I'm not stupid to ignore that industrial metal is about mixing metal with electronica, but I'll always expect from an industrial metal band more prominence in their metalish approach. This record gets shallower and shallower as you play on the tracklist until you finish it with a sensation of ears unfilled while your brain still have a craving for some true Fear Factory thing.

Maybe this is not a good time for me to enjoy (or I'll never really do) a disc like this, but always being so clear about my feelings, this is the only genuine way to express myself about it.

Wow, this was pretty good. The first half sounded like "Obsolete"-era, taking a step back from their previous releases. But then get brutal once "Fuel Injected" comes on, and doesn't stop - except for "Monolith". Real drummer, like with the previous album. Bell sings on every song, even the heavy ones, which is nice & melodic. Sounds more metalcore that way. But sadly, this is his last release with the band (f**k you Dino!). But I'll be putting this on repeat for a day or two 🤘

Guitar sounds very clean and "digital", but as usual - Dino is nothing more than a mechanic-riffing generator, so from this side I have nothing to complain.
But there's something missing in this album, and I am not really sure what.
And what is going on with all the electronics being replaced with symphonic parts?

Not sure what to think yet.
My expectations were maybe too high, especially after hearing Fuel Injected Suicide Machine. Long time since I heard such a great Fear Factory song! Unfortunately, no other song touches its brilliance in my opinion. Especially regarding the chorus. The album starts cool and omnious with recode and there are a lot of layered instruments, melodies and cool riffs to enjoy, but the album also becomes a bit too bombastic for my taste. It is still my favorite band, so let's give it another 100 spins to let it grow.

A couple of spins later I'm pretty confident that Manufactured Hope, Cognitive Dissonance and Monolith will be my go-to tracks of this album (but again, things may change in the future when I've listened to those tracks way too many times and rediscover some of the other songs). Collapse is pretty cool too.

I didn't care much for Disruptor when it was first revealed, but it's growing on me. Fuel Injected Suicide Machine on the other hand I liked right off the bat, but now that I've heard the rest of the album some more, I'm a bit baffled that they chose this track over some of the others mentioned above for their second reveal. It's a good song and all, but IMO there are better ones on this album.

Purity is the weakest track for me. I don't hate it or anything, but I find it a bit dull and during the last few spins I was tempted to skip it (but didn't, because I have a soft spot for FF, it being one of the two bands that got me into Metal in the first place).

Decent send off because good luck doing a Fear Factory tour, let alone album without Bell.

Not to bad favorite tracks are Disruptor, Purity, Monolith, and End Of Line

Who's singer here

Written by Bad English on 21.06.2021 at 12:34

Who's singer here

That's a rather strange question. Burton Christopher Bell, maybe?

Written by Starvynth on 21.06.2021 at 14:15

Written by Bad English on 21.06.2021 at 12:34

Who's singer here

That's a rather strange question. Burton Christopher Bell, maybe?

Have there been any rumors as to who might be the replacement singer?

Written by Aries Rising on 23.06.2021 at 05:24

Have there been any rumors as to who might be the replacement singer?

There've been plenty of rumors circulating that either Mark Hunter ( Chimaira), Howard Jones (ex- Killswitch Engage) or even Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta gonna take on the job, but the last thing Dino said was "I kind of wanna give an unknown guy a shot", so I really don't know.

I think this a solid release. Nothing really original for the standards of this band, yet it features the best of their sound ...and the production is a tad better compared to the previous release, which was quite good already.

Written by Starvynth on 23.06.2021 at 10:38

There've been plenty of rumors circulating that either Mark Hunter ( Chimaira), Howard Jones (ex- Killswitch Engage) or even Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta gonna take on the job, but the last thing Dino said was "I kind of wanna give an unknown guy a shot", so I really don't know.

Yeah, it's probably gonna be some unknown nobody, because actual famous singers wouldn't tolerate Dino's bullshit very long.

Written by Starvynth on 23.06.2021 at 10:38

Written by Aries Rising on 23.06.2021 at 05:24

Have there been any rumors as to who might be the replacement singer?

There've been plenty of rumors circulating that either Mark Hunter ( Chimaira), Howard Jones (ex- Killswitch Engage) or even Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta gonna take on the job, but the last thing Dino said was "I kind of wanna give an unknown guy a shot", so I really don't know.

Whoever Dino finds it won't be the same FF as we used to know with Burton C. Bell and I strongly doubt the band will reinvent with a new singer. This is most probably the last FF album I will buy. I have strong memories of gigs with the band even though we all know that Burton has never been so good livewise esp when trying to sing...

Written by Brutal Water on 17.06.2021 at 01:43

Got it, thanks for the info!

Guest review when?

Written by Troy Killjoy on 04.07.2021 at 22:24

Written by Brutal Water on 17.06.2021 at 01:43

Got it, thanks for the info!

Guest review when?

Eh, I'm no good at writing reviews. I get hung up on details and end up talking about one small aspect while barely mentioning more important ones. I can practice, but I've never written essays that didn't read like total shit.

You know what? Fuck it, I'll give it a try and write a review after all. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? It gets rejected and that's about it. The time spent on it won't be a waste, because I'll be listening to FF during it.

Give me a couple of days and I'll have something ready.

Wow my expectations were very very low even being a long time Fear Factory fan, but this was actually a good surprise. Now without Burton doesnt make sense to keep the band going under the moniker of Fear Factory, his voice is irreplaceable (yeah I know, Nightwish, bla bla bla).

Although Burton was miserable in his live performances, his voice (both his gutural and his clean) is too characteristic, good luck Dino lol

I'm still working on the guest review and I have doubts whether people will even care or see the album from a new angle. I suppose the best reactions it would get is a shrug and a lazy thumbs-up.

Grah, I've been polishing and re-writing passages for a while now. I don't know how other, more pro, reviewers go about these things. If anybody has seen the Stephen King/George RR Martin interview, well, I think I'm more of a Martin type of writer.

For example, you'd expect a review on a metal forum to talk about the individual instruments. What can I possibly say about the bass on this album? It's there, but it doesn't stick out in any way.

Written by Brutal Water on 18.07.2021 at 14:31

It's there, but it doesn't stick out in any way.

You could flesh out a short paragraph about that exact thing tbh.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 18.07.2021 at 19:32

Written by Brutal Water on 18.07.2021 at 14:31

It's there, but it doesn't stick out in any way.

You could flesh out a short paragraph about that exact thing tbh.

You're right, I should just try that.

I am neither a fan of the genre nor of FF but still I liked few tracks especially second half of the album.