Artist: Fear Factory Album: Mechanize

Year: 2010
Duration: 48:34

A Critical Review of Fear Factory’s Album Mechanize

Fear Factory is a band that is often credited with pioneering the industrial metal genre. The Los Angeles-based band has been active since 1989 and has gone through several lineup changes over the years. One of their most acclaimed albums is Mechanize, released in 2010. In this critical review, we will delve into the album and give our thoughts on its place in Fear Factory’s discography, the genre of industrial metal, standout tracks, and our overall impression of the album.

Mechanize is an industrial metal album released in 2010 by Fear Factory. It features 10 tracks that span just over 45 minutes. This album marked the return of original members Dino Cazares and Burton C. Bell, a fact that was highly anticipated by fans. The album’s sound combines elements of both industrial and thrash metal, with heavy guitars, pounding drums, and aggressive vocals.

One of the standout tracks on Mechanize is “Powershifter”. This track has all the hallmarks of a classic industrial metal anthem, with its pounding rhythms and aggressive vocals. The lyrics deal with themes of power and control, with lines like “You have no power over me / I am not your synthetic machine.” Another standout track is “Industrial Discipline”, which features a catchy melody and a more subdued vocal performance from Bell.

One of the most innovative parts of Mechanize is the album’s use of electronics. Fear Factory has always used synths and other electronic elements in their music, but they are particularly prominent on this album. The use of electronics adds a layer of texture and atmosphere to the album, making it more than just a simple metal record.

Despite the strengths of Mechanize, it is not a flawless album. One of the weaker tracks is “Christploitation”. The track features a spoken-word intro and a repetitive chorus that feels somewhat out of place on the album. The lyrics’ focus on the Church and religion contrast with the other themes throughout the rest of the album.

As a whole, Mechanize is a strong album that showcases Fear Factory at their best. It features heavy, aggressive music with plenty of interesting electronic flourishes. The album’s lyrics explore themes of power, control, and humanity in a unique and engaging way. However, there are some weaker moments on the album, but they are overshadowed by the album’s strengths.

In conclusion, Mechanize is an important album in Fear Factory’s discography and a great example of the industrial metal genre. The album’s sound combines heavy metal riffs with electronic elements to create a distinctive and engaging experience. While there are some weak moments on the album, they do not detract from the album’s overall quality. If you’re a fan of industrial metal or just heavy music in general, Mechanize is definitely worth a listen.

In conclusion, Mechanize is an important album in Fear Factory’s discography and a great example of the industrial metal genre. The album’s sound combines heavy metal riffs with electronic elements to create a distinctive and engaging experience. While there are some weak moments on the album, they do not detract from the album’s overall quality. If you’re a fan of industrial metal or just heavy music in general, Mechanize is definitely worth a listen.