From what I'd heard, this new album by FEAR FACTORY was supposed to be "experimental". Sounds interesting. FEAR FACTORY have proven to be quite influential in their genre, and they are one of the very few metal bands whose experiments with dance music and electronics weren't cringe-inducing (according to this reviewer that is – opinions among stoic metal purists may differ). On this album it takes a while before we get to that "experimental" part, though.

The first half of the album is pretty by-the-numbers actually. Very good of course, but pretty much the trademark FEAR FACTORY sound; machine gun drumming, staccato riffing, vocals that go from clean wailing to screams and grunts and back again, the works. It's not until the second half that the "experimental" bit begins, and I've got to say I have mixed feelings about it. The almost IRON MAIDEN-esque melodies of "New Promise" are quite nice, but personally I can't say I'm too excited by the cheesy pop balladry of "Echo Of My Scream". Maybe a younger audience more accustomed to goth dramatics will ‘get' it, but not my cup of tea at all. And on "Supernova" they just sound like U2's louder cousin.

Speaking of which, there's also a rather pointless cover of "I Will Follow". And a slightly more interesting version of KILLING JOKE's "Millenium". Besides that, all the experimenting in the world can't help the fact that the best song on the album is its closing track, the simple-minded heavy chugging riff monster "Moment Of Impact". Ah, irony! All in all not a bad album at all, but my guess is it will be no more than a minor footnote in FEAR FACTORY's history.

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.fearfactory.com

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