For a band that’s been crushing skulls since 1989 in the LA metal scene, Fear Factory proved with Obsolete that they weren’t just another death metal outfit with a drum machine obsession. Originally formed by Dino Cazares and Raymond Herrera, with Burton C. Bell adding his signature vocal schizophrenia to the mix, these guys were already making waves with their machine-gun precision riffs and the whole “man vs. machine” concept that would basically become their calling card.
Released in 1998, Obsolete is where Fear Factory hit their creative sweet spot, building on the foundation they laid with Demanufacture but cranking up the accessibility without losing their edge. This is a full-blown concept album, and not in a pretentious prog-rock way, but actually telling a coherent sci-fi story about machines taking over the world. The album jacket even includes a storyline to fill in the gaps between songs, which is pretty damn cool if you’re into that cyberpunk vibe. The production here is absolutely crushing, every kick drum hits like a sledgehammer and Dino’s seven-string riffs sound like they could level buildings. What makes this album work so well is how they balance the mechanical brutality with Burton’s clean vocals floating over top, creating this weird contrast that somehow makes perfect sense.
Tracks like “Shock” and “Edgecrusher” are pure industrial metal perfection, the kind of songs that make you want to punch things in the best possible way. “Shock” opens the album with that signature Fear Factory precision, all syncopated riffs and typewriter drums that somehow feel both robotic and completely human. Then you’ve got “Edgecrusher” which became one of their biggest singles, and for good reason, it’s catchy as hell without selling out their sound. The album closes with “Timelessness,” which actually features string arrangements and shows a more emotional side, proving these guys weren’t just about crushing everything in sight.
Look, if you’re into metal that doesn’t sound like everything else, Obsolete is essential. It’s Fear Factory at their peak, heavy enough to satisfy the meatheads but smart enough to keep you coming back for the details. This album influenced a whole generation of industrial and nu-metal bands, and 25 years later it still sounds like the future.