TRACKLISTING

 

1.-Shock
2.-Edgecrusher
3.-Smasher/Devourer
4.-Securitron (Police State 2000)
5.-Descent
6.-Hi-Tech Hate
7.-Freedom Or Fire
8.-Obsolete
9.-Resurrection
10.-Timelessness

  

   Fear Factory has come up again with a new album, after three years of silence. I expected
them to change, but I don't think Obsolete is a good musical turn. It has good tracks, the
hellish guitars are there, but it's not the same. Let's see why. "Shock" is a clear example of
what we'll hear in the album. The chorus is now conformed with clear voice only, the riffs are
still grinding, but it's sterile sound is taken away by a lot of synths. The double bass drums
are still there too, but they are somewhat softened, they don't sound as clear as in
Demanufacture. "Edgecrusher" is one of the uncommon songs. The guitars sound really nice
accompanied by the scratching. The tone in the voice tends a little to sound like rap, but don't
worry, Burton C. Bell won't be in a gansta rap. OR I hope so. "Smasher/Devourer" is one of the
jewels in the album. Even if the elements are different, you won't be able to deny the power of
this song. The combination of voices is good and the guitars will torture your eardrums again
and again. "Securitron (Police State 2000)" is not far behind. "Descent" is their weakest song
to date. The voice is neither clear nor shouting, it's in the middle. The guitars are weak too.
"Hi-Tech Hate" rises again the level. Furious riff. "Obsolete" belongs to Demanufacture times.
It's the only remain of the old Fear Factory. "Resurrection" is another good thing in the album,
even though it's a "soft" song. We even find string arragements. "Timelessness" is the outro,
with a strange, very clear voice. They did accomplish the melody.

  

   It's a good album, but if you want to hear the real Fear Factory spirit, you must hear
Demanufacture and forget about this. I don't know if it was because of the production, but Fear
Factory, in Obsolete, has softened the image and the music.

 

75 OUT OF 100