Metal Reviews

So this lineup are officially the new Fear Factory now, which makes me sort of annoyed for Ray Herrera, who is a founding frigging member and a pretty good drummer to boot. I could take or leave Olde Wolbers, but really, no point in Herrera going.

No offense to Herrera but Hoglan dominates all other drummers. Least by using this name they will be more economically successful.

He (Hoglan) really is exceptional.

The only FF I really cared for was Obsolete.

That's doubtless the idea.

But they deserve to use the name, they started it did they not? It's still a better situation than Sepultura's moniker.

Well, Herrera and Dino were the original original members, then Burton joined. Not sure who actually owns the name...

I don't really understand Hoglan over Herrera, either.

The drumming he did in Death, Dark Angel and SYL top Herrera pretty easily. I wish I could make a better argument but I think Hoglan's awesomeness should be inherently recognized.

I don't know. It just seems that he drums for everyone these days, and whilst he might be better than Herrera (still one of my favourite drummers even if he's not Neil Peart) there was absolutely nothing wrong with Ray's drumming. I mean, I hope Fear Factory go all technical and stuff, it'd be a neat change of direction, but even so he could have coped.

What, are you serious?
Not even mentioning his work with SYL, his stuff from 15-20 years ago is better than anything from Herrera. Herrera is a good drummer, with some sweet pedal work, but he's just not in the same league as Hoglan. Hoglan, all-around is one of the best, if not the best in Metal. Sure there some badass skinsmen in Metal, obviously, but Hoglan's got the whole package: creativity, speed, precision, impeccable timing, some insane time signatures... he can do stuff in one time with his feet, another time with his left hand while keeping a completely different time with his right... impeccably.
They call him The Atomic Clock for a good reason.
I'll buy anything with him on it, because even if the music is bland, you can bet your ass the drums won't be.

Just listen to Black Prophecies.

I'll agree with that. Maybe he wasn't interested? I don't think Herrera would get cut out just because...

Well, he and Christian did start a side-project a while ago when FF was quiet. It might turn into a Sep/Soulfly situation. Or it might all be perfectly friendly, I guess we won't know for a while. Wish I know who owned the FF name, it can't be Dino... Burton, I assume.

I should probably pick up Archetype someday. I listened to it on Napster about three years ago, and it was quite good.

I'll admit, though, that I've been avoiding Digimortal and Transgression because of the negative things I've heard about them. But I'd be interested to know what some of the people here think of those two records (Zad, didn't you rave about Transgression in a Facebook thread we had a couple months ago?).

Heh, well, I went through a period of really liking it. It's not that great, mid-60s at the most. It's certainly better than Aaron thought in the review. As for Digimortal, it's ok - yes, nu metally, yes rapping, but the songs are decent. Neither are anywhere near as good as Obsolete etc.

I would give Digimortal the mid-60s score that Zad would bestow upon Transgression, it's not terrible and I suppose it's worth listening to if you have to have more FF.

this would be better if they replaced Burton with Jed Simon and Dino with Devin Townsend ... oh wait~!

I dunno, I kinda feel he's somewhat overrated, and doesn't really stick out as a drummer... Which is strange considering how many bands he's played for, Death and SYL being 2 of my top bands... But that's just my opinion. I don't hate Hoglan and I respect him for sure, and his work... But I just don't think he fits the band, and that Herrera has history with the band... And I think he fits the mold of the band quite well.

If he left due to his own choice, I guess that's cool, but if for whatever reason they didn't include him and picked up Hoglan, I don't really approve.

We'll see what happens, if Hoglan is there and emulates Herrera to keep the FF style then I suppose that's fine.

I just hope FF maintains a bit of who they are, and don't completely change their style into emulating something current. Bring back the Obsolete sound, damnit.

Well, Archetype was pretty Obsolete-y, wasn't it? I think Demanufacture is the way they'll go. With a seven minute ballad at the end, or something.

Yeah Archtype does have a bit of that sound going, but I think without Dino on the guitars it wasn't as well put together. I dunno, the whole Dino/Herrera/Wolbers triple threat was where it was at.