HERRERA: A Lot Of FEAR FACTORY Fans Would Love To See The Original Lineup Back Together

ARKAEA/FEAR FACTORY drummer Raymond Herrera was recently interviewed for the Twin Cities, Minnesota-based "Metalkast" podcast/radio show. When asked about the ongoing legal battle over the rights to the FEAR FACTORY name between him and FF bassist-turned-guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers on one side and Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) on the other, Herrera replied, "Essentially, what's happened is that Burt and Dino became friends again, which, you know... keep in mind, Burt and Dino were the reason the band broke up originally in 2001 or 2002. They, I guess, wanted to continue with the FEAR FACTORY name, or the brand, so to speak, but they never approached us about continuing the band or the brand. And on their own accord, they essentially went out and, I guess, started booking tours and started doing interviews and saying that me and Christian were not in the band anymore, which was, like... 'Well, and when were we planning on discussing this?' Now, since this, I have been asked by pretty much everyone under the sun to get our side of the story. So, yeah, it's become this weird kind of situation. And back in November, I had heard that they had asked [bassist] Byron [Stroud; who played on the last two FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE] and [drummer] Gene [Hoglan; DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT]. And when I heard about it, I was like, 'Wow, that's a really great idea,' 'cause I love Gene Hoglan; he's killer. But then, I didn't know that they were planning to call that FEAR FACTORY until, like, maybe three or four weeks later, which by this time was about mid-December. And I was like, 'OK, well, now we have a problem.' I've tried to reach out to Dino, and I've tried to reach out to Burt, and neither one of them will reply to me or wanna talk to me or anything. Which seems really weird, because it's like, OK, well, if you're gonna out of your way to do what they've done... I'm willing to try to make it work and make amends. If FEAR FACTORY has to continue without me and Christian, then there has to be an agreement in place. Obviously, there's other things that go into this whole thing, but it's almost become like a soap opera, really. I don't really understand it myself. It's just really unfortunate."

Raymond added, "I've definitely gotten a lot of mail from fans that are really pissed off about everything that's gone on, and even pissed off at me, because, you know, some people think that I had something to do with what's been going on, and, obviously, I had nothing to do with it. I'm sorry to whatever fans may be pissed off. I'm kind of in the same boat. We're trying to rectify the situation and we do realize that a lot of fans would love to see the original lineup, with Dino back in the band, and I do understand that. And I think, from a fan standpoint, I would love to see that too. And quite honestly, from a fan standpoint, I think to be able to write with ChristianandDino together, which I've never really done in the past, could probably set us up for one of the best records we've ever done, or — who knows?! — maybe even the best. But I guess we'll see. So, I guess, as far as that goes, look out for some information probably in the next, maybe, two or three months."

The "Metalkast" podcast/radio show featuring the Raymond Herrera interview can be heard at this location.

As previously reported, the new FEAR FACTORY lineup (pictured below) has released the following statement regarding the cancellation of its previously announced European tour:

"On behalf of FEAR FACTORY, [we are] writing to each and every one of you to relay important information regarding the FEAR FACTORY concerts between June 21 through August 15. We regretfully are informing you that we are postponing these dates in Europe to schedule for later dates.

"These particular dates are being postponed in order that we, as FEAR FACTORY, may finalize the writing and recording of our new music. We are aware that this album will be a very important recording for each of us in FEAR FACTORY. That this album has to be sonically incredible for each and every one of you who are sincerely interested in listening to this latest creation.

"In order for FEAR FACTORY to create the album of our career, we must focus and work diligently to engineer our rhythms of mechanical death. We feel that rushing to release this recording will not be beneficial to the craft of our manufacturing.

"In this parting statement, please understand that postponing these dates is not for any other reason than to create the album that FEAR FACTORY fans are anxious to hear."

Regarding why Christian and Raymond aren't involved with the new FEAR FACTORY lineup, Bell told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, "It's like a business and I'm just reorganizing. After time, you realize what's important and what's not important, and after talking to Dino again, it just felt good and it felt right."

When asked if he knew straight away that he wouldn't include Christian and Raymond in the new FEAR FACTORY lineup, Burton said, "It's part of the organization. We learned some things and we have a really good rapport with Byron, and Gene is an amazing drummer. Dino and I, as the founders of FEAR FACTORY, we thought, 'Hey, let's try this, a different flavor.' Because wherever me and Dino go, it'll still be FEAR FACTORY, I believe."

Dino added, "I've had many projects in the past and I've played with some of the best drummers in this form of music, from Roy Mayorga to Nick Barker, Tim Yeung, Joey Jordison, and now I'm playing with the king of this genre. How could I pass that up? How could anyone pass up a chance to play with Gene Hoglan?"

Dino's tenure with FEAR FACTORY ended in March 2002 after Bell announced his departure from the group, allegedly telling his bandmates at the time, "Look, guys, I'm not into it anymore, I don't wanna play in the band anymore, I don't wanna play with you guys, and I especially don't wanna play with you, Dino."

FEAR FACTORY eventually reformed without Dino and released two more studio albums, 2004's "Archetype" and 2005's "Transgression".

ARKAEA — the new band featuring Wolbers and Herrera alongside vocalist Jon Howard (THREAT SIGNAL) and bassist Pat Kavanaugh (THREAT SIGNAL) — will release its debut album, "Years In The Darkness", on July 13 via E1 Music (formerly Koch Records).

Pictured below is FEAR FACTORY's 2009 lineup (left to right): Burton C. Bell (vocals),Gene Hoglan (drums),Byron Stroud (bass) and Dino Cazares (guitar)

ARKAEA (featuring Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera):