FEAR FACTORY: 'Mechanize' Tool Box Detailed

A special "tool box" edition of FEAR FACTORY's new album, "Mechanize" is now available for pre-order via the Nuclear Blast Online Shop. The box (pictured below) includes the digipack CD, carpenter pencil, hammer, screwdriver, calliper, folding rule, measuring tape, patch (12 x 5cm),poster DIN A2 (folded to A4),certificate with serial number and sticker DIN A5. Due on February 19, the item costs 66.66 euros.

FEAR FACTORY — featuring original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside bassist Byron Stroud (who was credited on the last two FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT) — recently filmed a video for the song "Fear Campaign". Directed by the team of Ian McFarland and Mike Pecci (MESHUGGAH, GOD FORBID) with producer Ryan Kohler, the clip was shot in and around the band's original base of Los Angeles. It is expected for completion mid-January with broadcast and Internet premieres already in progress.

Director Ian McFarland commented: "What excites us about this song is the building and releasing of energy. We are planning to present a visual overload of images that will keep the viewer glued to the screen. The hope is to dissect the word 'fear' and to make a piece of art that will not only capture the power of the song and but the true intensity of FEAR FACTORY."

In discussing the song's lyrical concept, vocalist Burton C. Bell revealed, "It was not necessary to camouflage the insanity of the world of today within a science fiction setting like we've done in the past. The world today has become the world that writers predicted long ago. The controlling authorities are constantly, and successfully, utilizing fear tactics to control the masses. Fear is control."

"Mechanize" will be released in the U.S. on February 9 via Candlelight Records and February 5 in Europe via AFM Records. The CD, which was co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST),was recently mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY).

"Mechanize" track listing:

01. Mechanize
02. Industrial Discipline
03. Fear Campaign
04. Powershifter
05. Christploitation
06. Oxidizer
07. Controlled Demolition
08. Designing The Enemy
09. Metallic Division
10. Final Exit

Regarding the new album's lyrical approach, Bell stated, "In the past, the lyrical concept was of a futuristic, 'sci-fi' nature. An attempt to protect the ideas and logic of those involved in FEAR FACTORY; because those who incite progressive thought are always chastised and persecuted. By placing the 'story' into a futuristic, fictional narrative, the words and ideas may not have seemed threatening. Not so for 'Mechanize'. These are the words of a reality that once seemed distant, that are now apparently, and evidently real. These are the words of the world in which we live; for what once seemed like a story of another time, has come to be our reality today. Welcome to the world of 'Mechanize'."

On the subject of "Mechanize"'s musical direction, Bell told Sergio Alvite of Mexico's Search & Destroy, "It has the raw aggression of what 'Soul Of A New Machine' [1992] was but it has... I would say it has the maturity of 'Obsolete' [1998]. When I say 'maturity,' I mean that it has the songwriting skills that 'Soul Of A New Machine' did not have whereas 'Obsolete' did."

"Powershifter" audio stream:

(Thanks: NJthrasher)