Fear Factory’s first foray in five years, Mechanize, boasts the reunion of founding guitarist Dino Cazares with vocalist Burton C. Bell and longtime bassist Byron Stroud. While not a full homecoming, drummer Gene Hoglan and sampler Rhys Fulber round out the fold, ensuring this onslaught is uncompromising. Apparently inspired in part by Alvin Toffler’s 1984 treatise Third Wave, the conceptual saga behind Mechanize really doesn't matter. Musically, Mechanize proves clinical and pointed without losing any of the fury, passion or embittered aggression that makes for truly compelling metal. Its 10 tracks are a relentless onslaught of power, offset only by Bell's forays into melodic choruses, which ensure his otherwise-raspy bellow is continually gripping. From aptly titled “Industrial Discipline” through the title track and closer “Final Exit,” Mechanize is a welcome surprise. Not only does it avoid feeling dated, it escapes the predictable lack of inspiration that generally drives albums boasting reconciliation as a selling point.
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