Fear Factory Review: Obsolete

Fear Factory

Obsolete

Review Score:

(10/10)
Many people expected big things of Fear Factory after the release of DEMANUFACTURE, possibly one of the best metal releases of the decade.

What was delivered on OBSOLETE, was a complex, cross-genre album,not as accessible as their previous disc.

Again produced by Rhys Fulber of FrontLine Assembly fame, OBSOLETE revolves around a loose concept of a bleak future, stripped of the eccentricities of human nature. Common ground for these guys, but this is the album where their world view (musically at least) is at it's most cohesive. This is doubly true for the lyrics.

The production of Fulber, combined with the percussive playing of Raymond, Christian, and Dino lend themselves to an industrial feel that most metal bands would not be able to replicate. Burton's nihilistic lyrics prove that he as at the forefront of metal songwriting today. [heck!] Why couldn't I have thought of that!

A possible reason that this album was not received as well as it deserved to be was that fact that it spanned a range of musical sub-genres. Aside from the huge old schoool FF riffs, OBSOLETE delivered a more raw sound not quite as synth driven as their previous effort, whilst maintaing a highly rythym driven approach. This style has incorrectly been labelled as nu-metalism, if labels need to be applied, possibly something along the lines of idustrial death metal is almost appropriate. Certainly the impact of technology is ever present in their music, a touch ironic given the albums subject matter.

Standout tracks: Edgecrusher - the most power hungry metal track of the last five years, Securitron - "I am the way, prepare for salvation!! -brilliant- , Freedom or fire -haunting and brutal. Resurrection - anthemic and beautiful.
This release also features a cover of the retro dance classic Cars by Gary Numan, a well done effort which includes the man himself on vox as well.

If you have the spare [money amount]in your wallet, do yourself a favour and bypass the movies or a big mac for a change, get this CD.

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