Fear Factory

with Iron Maiden at Avalon
by J.R. Bennett

Fear Factory were great! Burton C. Bell’s vocals sounded pretty close to the studio except for some minor crowd-driving ad-libbing. Dino Cazares’ guitar work was ripping. Even the small amount of “hopping” by the guitarmen didn’t discourage my admiration for this band (the kind of movement Biohazard uses that makes you want to annihilate hip-hop music from the face of the earth). The sinister, killer keyboards, performed by Steve Tushar filled in between the almost death-like industrial stomps (who needs NIN?). Most of the songs they played were from their latest album Demanufacture (Roadrunner). A few songs from their first release, Soul of a New Machine, made it into the set list, including the song “Martyr,” which Burton admits hasn’t been played in three years. The early songs were raw and death-like, while the latter material leaned more toward industrial metal. From what I’ve heard on the Web, these guys should be releasing another Front Line Assembly remixed album to be followed by another studio record. Too bad MTV banned Fear Factory’s video for “Replica,” however Much Music is playing it during their Power 30. FF’s members are associated with or have played in Brujeria, GZR, Nailbomb, and Carbon 12.

I can’t believe Iron Maiden are still around. The new lead singer, Blaze Bayley, joined them this year, following Bruce Dickinson’s departure in September 1993. Blaze currently sings on the new Iron Maiden album, The X Factor (CMC). At first listen, Blaze’s vocals sounded like Bruce’s, although some people would beg to differ. Maiden played a good cross-section of their songs, including “Heaven Can Wait,” “Two Minutes To Midnight,” and “Wrathchild,” as well as songs from their latest release. Bassist Steve Harris ran around the stage, and the spotlights shined during their traditional guitar solos. Talk about reminiscing. If the new CD doesn’t hit you, then seeing the band live will bring you back.