When
Dino Cazares' band
Divine Heresy was gaining more and more momentum in 2007 and 2008, it seemed doubtful that he would ever be a part of
Fear Factory again. But in 2009, the guitarist surprised the metal world by reuniting with vocalist
Burton C. Bell in a new
Fear Factory lineup that also included bassist
Byron Stroud and drummer
Gene Hoglan (known for his contributions to
Strapping Young Lad,
Dark Angel, and other bands). Meanwhile, guitarist/bassist
Christian Olde-Wolbers and drummer
Ray Herrera -- having left
Fear Factory -- were keeping busy with their band
Arkaea that year.
Mechanize is
Fear Factory's first album since
Cazares' return, and the
Cazares/
Bell/
Stroud/
Hoglan lineup doesn't disappoint. This early 2010 release/2009 recording doesn't break any new ground for the band --
Mechanize is very much a throwback to the industrialized
Fear Factory sound of the '90s -- but there is no shortage of passion on scorching tracks like "Christploitation," "Designing the Enemy," "Oxidizer," and "Industrial Discipline" (which is an appropriate name for a
Fear Factory tune in light of the major role they played in bringing industrial elements to alternative metal). If
Mechanize lacks the freshness that characterized
Fear Factory on
Soul of a New Machine,
Demanufacture, or
Obsolete back in their '90s heyday, that doesn't make the performances any less inspired or focused.
Cazares (who left
Fear Factory in 2002 and spent seven years away from the band) is still a sledgehammer of a guitarist, and he plays like he is thrilled to be a part of
Fear Factory again.
Mechanize isn't quite in a class with
Demanufacture or
Obsolete, which are widely regarded as two of
Fear Factory's most essential releases. But it's still an album that longtime followers will welcome.