Irritation Factory

FEAR FACTORY – “Mechanize” CD ’10 (Candlelight, US) – I’ll be the first to admit that I have very little history with FEAR FACTORY. In fact, it would not be incorrect to say that I knew nothing about them before hearing this disc. The descriptions I’d heard of them being very clinical, technical and well, yes, “mechanized” sounding had done little to inspire my interest. And so, finally 2010 has come along. I happened to read a pre-release review of this one and, learning that the band’s original guitarist had returned to the fold for what was to be a “real return to form” I suddenly had the urge to part with $ 9.99 at Best Buy and bought this. To this date, after 3 listens, I am convinced that I actually must’ve been confused, shuffled into The Home Depot and purchased some sort of power tool. “Mechanize” is, without question, one of the most aptly titled records I have ever heard in my entire life. From pillar to post I do not hear one note, one single iota of sound that indicates it has been produced by human beings. Every single song sounds so cold, emotionless and sucked dry of feeling that regardless of how “heavy” it is, it is completely devoid of impact except to be massively irritating. I defy anyone to sit and listen to this damn thing all the way through and then tell me truthfully that they enjoyed what they heard. Damn, Gene Hoglan (drums) was a god in Dark Angel and I absolutely loved “Darkness Descends.” And yet here…Christ, he is probably the most annoying thing of all, his ridiculously stupid drum histrionics sounding more like someone running a riveting machine than playing a musical instrument. If you like this band, for whatever reason, I’m sorry to have burst your bubble but after taking a chance and spending $ 10 on this unmitigated piece of shit I felt like I needed to get this off my chest. Can’t See Their Error