The Industrialist is the eighth studio album by industrial metal band Fear Factory.
The Industrialist marks the band’s return to the concept album.[4] Burton C. Bell said about the album, “the protagonist (The Industrialist) is the incarnation of all industries in the form of an automaton. The mechanical, technological, and scientific advances through the industrial age led to the creation of The Industrialist. In the story, the automaton becomes sentient as it collects memories with each passing day. Through observation and learning, it gains the will to exist. What was meant to help man, will eventually be man’s demise.”[5] According to Cazares, the title was taken from a documentary the band saw about the people who developed “the engines for war machines”, and God Eater was a name Bell saw on a toybox while traveling.[6]
The album was recorded with Bell and Cazares as the only two credited members of the band, while Rhys Fulber once again produced and received additional writing credits. No live drummer was used on the album, with the band instead opting for programmed drums with help from John Sankey of Devolved, who was also credited.
The Analysis:
The Industrialist—-I’ve so been looking forward to this release, so my expectations were really high when I finally got this…..from the opening strains, I will not be disappointed. The opening opus begins rather slow but takes on the familiar FF sound after just a few bars….this opening track is almost epic…making me hard with excitement! The familiar vocal enters and the further tales of demise ensue…sit back and enjoy……the fun is about to begin!
Recharger—-Returning to full on aggression at the onset of the song, it is hard to believe there is not a human drummer on this release!!!! The vocal is so familiar, it feels like I’m home after being gone for a long time. this is fantastic. The squeals from the guitars are incredible and when that clean vocal enters…I’m just amazed….it makes me feel warm and fuzzy!!!! Imagine that!!!! This is an incredible track….a favorite for sure!
New Messiah—-This track, upon the intro, seems to actually come out at you from a distance….and just builds in aggression from there. This is remarkable…the lead guitars just soar. The vocal is like being transported back 8 years or so…to the glory days. The clean vocal enters and the song takes on a magical melody that will have you playing this in your brain for days and days. This is just classic!!!!
God Eater—-Beginning at the onset like a Linkin Park track, this quickly comes alive and reminds you what you are listening to. This is Industrialized Metal at its finest. The song is slow to begin…but comes alive with an intensity that is worth the wait. This is incredibly intense. I love the deep feeling of the song…and the slight manipulations you hear in the backdrop of the song. This is different…but fits in with everything in a masterful way……I love this band!!!!
Depraved Mind Murder—-This is classic FF from the very first notes and just progresses as the song does. I freakin love this….the drums are incredible for being machine made…the vocal is like it has always been…sounding the same as the very first release….the clean vocal sounds even better than ever….providing the much-needed melody to this song…this band would not be the same without it….incredible….!!!!
Virus Of Faith—-With super human drumming, that is not even human, the song begins with a huge BANG!!!! The interplay between aggressive and clean vocals make this track a favorite of mine…you travel between mayhem and calm so quickly…I feel schizophrenic…and in headphones…the track moves from ear to ear magically….this is just fantastic!
Difference Engine—- Drum driven and really aggressive from the very first note, this is another really favorite track of mine on this release….this is incredible…there is so much energy and vehemence. I love the slow ebb of the song and the sudden bursts that follow…this is incredible. I really can never find fault with this band!
Disassemble: Religion Is Flawed Because Man Is Flawed—-There are some really great guitar squeals throughout this song that really get me going…I love that shit. This is aggressive and full of religious venom…..I cant deny the disbelief…but i still love the band as an entity. this is remarkable…even the rough vocals are almost clean….this is fantastic…another very favorite track!!!
Human Augmentation—-This huge….epic last track on this stellar release…will leave you thirsty for more…begging for another quick release and listening to this one over and over for the next 6 months. this is extraordinary…full of effects, Indutrial style noises and an almost soundtrack style to the delivery. This is masterful….and that is before any singing even begins! Which it never does!!!! This ambient style closure is an excercise in patience…but a display of talent!!!!
***** out of 5 [!!!!!]