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Album Review: FEAR FACTORY – Genexus

FEAR FACTORY – Genexus

I love listening to music. When I hear a band I love, I want to tell the world. I want to realize every facet of their beauty. I want to let their colors wash over me. I’m reviewing Fear Factory because I believe in them. I know what their mission is with each record they release, and I want to see them reach people. I want to see them succeed. Genexus is the third in a series of albums continuing the concept of the search for a soul in an increasingly technocratic world amid the pummeling dynamics of hacking axeman Dino Cazares, a sniper’s rhythm section, and the vital, soaring vocals of Burton C. Bell that have awed everyone from Devin Townsend to Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward.

“I HAVE A WEAPON OF HUMAN DESIGN!” [columns] [column size=”1/3″]

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Artist: Fear Factory
Album Title: Genexus
Release Date: August 07, 2015
Playing Time: 00:47:55
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
[list style=”music”] [li]Autonomous Combat System[/li] [li]Anodized[/li] [li]Dielectric[/li] [li]Soul Hacker[/li] [li]Protomech[/li] [li]Genexus[/li] [li]Church of Execution[/li] [li]Regenerate[/li] [li]Battle For Utopia[/li] [li]Expiration Date[/li] [/list]
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So begins the chorus of the crushing opener “Autonomous Combat System.” The song does feel like a weaponized drone or a robotic soldier attacking with stealth and then expert precision as a sinister piano creeps over a voice that says “The next step in evolution is a machine. A machine that can think.” Kinda Terminator-like, but I’ll take it as the piano marches into a screaming salvo. Follower “Anodized” (the title referring to the coating of metal with a protective oxide layer–these machines can’t die!) offers up groove-metal salutes to the New World Order that Fear Factory have been known for in the past while Burt belts “Never DIIIIIE!” I hear lightning in his voice on “Dielectric” The band transmits electric force; it constantly feels like an explosion is about to happen just before the downright gorgeous chorus. The battle for human autonomy continues in “Protomech.” As our protagonist screams about his lost humanity, he intones with a chilling echo: “Take everything away from me…Replace my skin with circuitry…to feed the machine.” I couldn’t help but reflect on the human contact I’ve lost as I watch people stare vacantly into screens. Closer “Expiration Date” brings to mind “Final Exit,” the bookend to 2008’s Mechanize, in its epic, sweeping scope and hope for a better world.

This album may bring thoughts of cyborgs and intense action sequences to the surface, and though the band hasn’t changed much stylistically, with Genexus Fear Factory continue their mechanical music with an organic heart. And they pulverize doing it.

fear factory
Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

FEAR FACTORY, ONCE HUMAN, BEFORE THE MOURNING, THE BLOODLINE
08/23   Flagstaff AZ – The Green Room
08/25   Lubbock, TX – Jakes
08/27   Corpus Christ, TX – House of Rock
08/28   Houston, TX – Scout Bar
08/29   Pensacola, FL – Vinyl
08/30   Ft Lauderdale – Culture Room
09/01   St Pete – The State
09/02   Orlando, FL – Venue 578
09/04   Atlanta GA – Masquerade
09/05   Wilmington, NC – Ziggy’s
09/08   Little Rock, AR – Juanita’s
09/09   Clarksville, TN – Warehouse Live
09/11   Louisville, KY – Trixie’s
09/13   Bloomington, IL – Castle Theater
09/15   Oklahoma City, OK – Farmers Market
09/16   Gallup, NM – The Juggernaut Music

Genexus was produced by vocalist Burton C. Bell and guitarist Dino Cazares, and co-produced by long-time collaborator Rhys Fulber. The album was mixed by famed British producer and engineer, Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD). Artwork was once again handled by artist Anthony Clarkson. Drums on Genexus were performed by Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY).

Order Genexus by itself or in various bundles from http://nblast.de/FFGenexus.

Check out the video for ProtoMech


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Visit FEAR FACTORY online at www. FEARFACTORY.com.
Like: www.facebook.com/FEARFACTORY
Follow: twitter.com/FEAR_FACTORY
Watch: www.youtube.com/fearfactorymusic
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