FEAR FACTORY Frontman Explains 'The Industrialist' Storyline

Candlelight Records has set a June 5 North American release date for FEAR FACTORY's new album, "The Industrialist". Produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY),the CD was mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, SKINNY PUPPY, MACHINE HEAD). It features additional tracking by Logan Mader (GOJIRA, DIVINE HERESY, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH) and artwork by Anthony Clarkson (DEVIN TOWNSEND).

"The Industrialist" is a conceptual album that brings to life a story scripted by vocalist Burton C. Bell. The album's lyrics detail the plot of the original narrative while delivering FEAR FACTORY's massive signature sound. Bell tells DecibelMagazine.com, "The full story will be the limited edition book/CD that [Candlelight] will be releasing. Along with the story, I drew some very rough sketches to go along with some of the scenes. In time, I wish to post the entire story and on the FEAR FACTORY web site.

"'The Industrialist' is an automaton, and it is the protagonist of the story. . . It is an automaton that is becoming sentient as it collects more memories with each passing day. Through observation and learning, it has gained the 'will to exist.'

"'The Industrialist' is the incarnation of all industries in the form of an automaton. The mechanical, technological, and scientific advances through the Industrialist age led to the creation of 'The Industrialist.' What was meant to help man, will eventually be man's demise.

"The way I see it, suffering gives the protagonist a reason to better oneself, to make life better. It shows the reader that the actions of the protagonist are not unfounded, even if the actions are questionable.

"Though the protagonist is an automaton, the suffering is caused by the actions of man. The automaton is becoming more sentient every day, while man is eradicating its kind through due process. I think the will to exist is within all life forms. The notion of suffering lends itself to adaption, modification of form and thought. Even a virus will evolve for the sake of existence."

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Clocking in at just under one hour, the album's ten songs again unite Bell with guitarist Dino Cazares. It is the second album written by the duo, reuniting in 2009 after a seven year split. Cazares says, "Collaborating with Burton again on the new album was like magic. Everything just fell into place naturally. It felt good to recapture the true sound of FEAR FACTORY, taking it back to where it all started while raising it to new levels."

"The Industrialist" again pairs FEAR FACTORY with long-time friend Rhys Fulber. Their collaborations together include five albums and two remixes, including the gold-certified CD "Obsolete". "Rhys has been our secret member," shares Cazares. "He is the one producer who has been able to understand what we have been trying to accomplish from the beginning and has opened our eyes to new things without sacrificing our original sound. His talents in production and keyboard/samples has made FEAR FACTORY stand out amongst the many bands of our genre."

FEAR FACTORY recently announced their first tour dates since 2011. Joining them for the tour that is set to kick off on May 1 is Boston's SHADOWS FALL, Kansas City-based THE BROWNING, Riverside, California's THE DEVASTATED, and LEGACY OF DISORDER from New Zealand.

FEAR FACTORY recently enlisted Matt DeVries as the band's new bass player. DeVries, previously of CHIMAIRA (where he played guitar) and most recently SIX FEET UNDER, joined FEAR FACTORY as the replacement for Byron Stroud (now with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).