Fear Factory is:
Burton C. Bell Vocals
Dino Cazares Guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers Bass
Raymond Herrera Drums
About the Music...
The following review is for Fear Factory's final Roadrunner release Hatefiles. A collection of 18 tracks consisting of remixes and rarities. Some are good, some are bad, while others remain... questionable. The cd is considered a "fans-only" album and it will more than likely only be enjoyed by the fans remaining after 2001's [url=http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210119]Digimortal[/url].
I'm sure even those of you who've never heard a Fear Factory song in your life are still able to enjoy this cd as a stand-alone.
And now onto the music...
Terminate 4:08
The band has always been able to start their albums with a punch. This album is no exception. We open with a light, eerie sound and drive straight into some powerful fast double bass kicks and heavy guitars overlapping, the Fear Factory signature. This song (originally recorded for the 2002 Terminator: Dawn of Fate video game) was the last Fear Factory song to feature Dino Cazares on guitar before his departure and replacing. Burton's vocals are ever-so powerful on this track. A real winner. 5/5
Frequency 3:00
Song made for the 2001 video game of the same name. Features that custom digital sound of Fear Factory. It's an alright song but gets somewhat repetitive. But then again, it is for a video game. 2/5
Demolition Racer 0:50
Another video game song. This time for the racing game Demolition Racer (1999). It's very short and has few lyrics. But it's not as repetitive as the previous track. 3/5
Machine Debaser 4:16
Also from Demolition Racer. A fast paced instrumental that begins to sound like a loop halfway through. 3/5
Invisible Wounds (The Suture Mix) 3:36
My favorite track in this collection. A powerful radio remix done by Fear Factory producer/keyboardsist Rhys Fulber. This remix runs the exact same way as the Digimortal version we all know and love. The differences are the added sound effects and keyboards plus the removal of the heavy bridge. The song still remains heavy though, especially in the final, closing moments which closes with a sweet piano peice. 5/5
Resurrection (T.L.A. Big Rock Mix) 4:03
After Resurrection was chosen to be the single from Obsolete (1998), it had to be edited for it's length and heavyness. Lines were cut and rhythem was all over the place. It's a horrible edit and I thank God Roadrunner decided not to use it. I was pleased that the bridge still remained intact though. 1/5
Edgecrusher (Urban Assault Mix) 4:43
Urban Assault? What is this, limpbizkit? Well I guess I'm just unfamiliar with the term. This is a hip-hop flavored remix of the bass-driven Obsolete original done by techno-remix God Junkie XL (The Animatrix, Elvis Presly "Little Less Conversation" remix). The only thing that remains from the original is Burton's vocal track. His voice is echoed slightly to emphasize his almighty vocal chords. Meanwhile, we get a lot of hip-hop style drums, heavy guitar samples, and some creepy keyboards. Pretty cool for a b-side. 3/5
Descent (Falling Deeper Mix) 4:36
Another hip-hop mix of an Obsolete classic. Starts off with a lame sample from the original but then quickly goes into a turntable warped, percussion sprinkled mix. Once again working soley with the original voice track, but the main guitar riff is found looped near the end although it is smothered by the phat beats. All in all, this b-side is a lot of fun and you'll enjoy it. Metal fan or hip hop fan. 4/5
Body Hammer (Colin Richardson Mix) 5:09
The liner notes contained on this cd claim that Demanufacture's Body Hammer is one of Fear Factory's most underrated songs. I totally agree with that statement. It's a powerful song with strong, true lyrics. Anyways, this is the original version mixed before the final version. It's not a demo in any sense, just the first version up for option. The band didn't like it (along with the other 10 mixes on the album, also done by Colin Richardson) and decided to get the entire album remixed before release. I really can't tell much of a difference between the final version and this version besides a shorter intro and a few different volumes in the riffs. 3/5
Zero Signal (Colin Richardson Mix) 5:41
Now this original mix is totally different in one aspect: vocals. The guitar parts remain the same while Burton's vocals appear less harsh and more melodic. At times, though, Burt sounds awfully out of it and even annoying. Thank goodness he redid the entire track before release. 2/5
Cars (Numanoid Mix) 3:41
Fear Factory did a cover of the new wave classic back in 1998 for their Obsolete album.This version of the track features only Gary Numan (maker of the original hit) with Burt only singing a bit near the end. That's not the only difference though. This mix has a lot more synthesizer stuff and less distorted guitar chords. Not a bad version but is nothing like the Obsolete version. 2.5/5
Dark Bodies (demo) 3:59
Very neat demo of the Digimortal version. It was done in a studio so the quality is good. Although Burton doesn't sound like he's trying too hard on the verses, the chorus makes up for it. It's just a demo not intended for release, so it's okay. The guitars are slightly different (mostly notable near the end) on this version and the chorus is a lot heavier. Pretty tight demo and had potential for a final mix. 4/5
Replica (live) 2:59
Live version of the band's breakthrough hit recorded back in 1996. I have no idea why the producers of this compilation decided to throw this one in here. Seems quite random to me. Oh well. Burt's performance sounds somewhat tired but he collaberates nicely with Dino at the end. He gives additional screams not found on the album version and I found that pretty cool. 4/5
Beware that from this point on there's nothing but [shudders] techno mixes!
Cyberdyne 4:28
Junkie XL returns with a remix of the Demanufacture classic "H-K (Hunter Killer)". Originally intended to be on the Remanufacture EP, this fast remix has some power and is listenable. I'm not into techno, but I think this track works. 3/5
Refueled 4:37
Another Junkie XL version of "H-K" but entirely different. This one uses a lot more samples from the original track but it's very slow and get boring soon. 1.5/5
Transgenic 5:42
New Breed remix done by somone named Technohead. This is a gabber mix (meaning hardcore techno) so it has VERY fast beats and runs on and on... and on and on... and on... 2/5
Mainc Cure 5:08
New Breed, Replica, Body Hammer, and Self Bias Resistor smashed together over a ****load of beats. It doesn't get more repetitive than this. :rolleyes: 2/5
New Breed (Spoetnik Mix) 3:54
Totally butchered mix of the original. While Demanufacture's version is a fast, fun metal song; this version is a gabber style techno splat that starts slow and awkward and builds into something faster and with (you guessed it) a billion more beats. It's very repetitive and tiring after a certain point. It actually reminded me of that annoying "All ur Base R Belong 2 Us!" song. 1/5
So there you have it. Fear Factory's unreleased and hard to find material all in one collection. I really enjoyed listening to this album but I would stop it once I hit the halfway point of Cyberdyne (track 14). Most of the first 13 tracks found on this disc are really good and memorable while others (Resurrection mix, Zero Signal mix) should be forgotten. I give it 3/5 smiles.
:) :) :) :upset: :upset:
Happy Listening!!
