FEAR FACTORY's DINO CAZARES Slams Ex-DIVINE HERESY Bandmates For 'Ripping Off' His Song

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares has slammed his former DIVINE HERESY bandmates for allegedly "ripping off" one of his songs with their new group, saying that "it was kind of dumb and hilarious at the same time."

DIVINE HERESY, which initially featured Cazares alongside vocalist Tommy "Vext" Cummings and drummer Tim Yeung, released two albums — "Bleed The Fifth" (2007) and "Bringer Of Plagues" (2009) — before Dino returned to FEAR FACTORY and put DIVINE HERESY on hold. Vext and Yeung have since rejoined forces in a new project called WESTFIELD MASSACRE, which also features the contributions of guitarists Bill Hudson and Rick Di Marco.

Asked about the musical similarities between WESTFIELD MASSACRE's first single, "Darkness Divides", and the DIVINE HERESY song "Failed Creation", Dino told Shredload.com (hear audio below): "Yeah, why they decided to rip off something that I already did was… I have no idea. I thought that was kind of dumb on their part, and hilarious at the same time."

He continued: "I don't know what's going on with that band [WESTFIELD MASSACRE]. I'm not even sure if that even still exists. I know that Tim didn't even mention it in his… I know he doesn't even mention it, or it's not even on his YouTube page or his Facebook page. It's, like, I don't even know if he even considers that to be his band."

Cazares was also asked about the current status of DIVINE HERESY, whose second CD, "Bringer Of Plagues", featured vocalist Travis Neal (THE BLOODLINE) in the place of Vext. He said: "The current status of DIVINE HERESY is, actually, nothing at the moment. I do have songs written, but they're kind of in the backburner. At the moment, it's mainly just about FEAR FACTORY and [the new FEAR FACTORY album] 'Genexus'."

Regarding whether Yeung is still a member of DIVINE HERESY, Dino said: "No, Tim Yeung left for financial differences — I think the same reason why he left MORBID ANGEL." He added: "I wish him luck. I hope he is successful [in] whatever he does and whatever band he decides to jam with — as with all those musicians. At the moment, I'm just doing FEAR FACTORY and 'Genexus', and that's pretty much what I'm concentrating on."

FEAR FACTORY's new album, "Genexus", was released on August 7 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The follow-up to 2012's "The Industrialist" was co-produced by longtime collaborator Rhys Fulber, along with guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell and mixed by Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD). Artwork was once again handled by Anthony Clarkson. Drums on "Genexus" were performed by Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY).