Burton.C.Bell – Fear Factory

Fear Factory are just one of those bands that know how to flip your face with the sheer intensity of their music and that’s probably the exact reaction fans had when this much-loved industrial act were announced as part of the massive Soundwave 2015 line-up along. Not only is this band working on a brand new album, they recently became part of the massive Nuclear Blast family! I had a fun chat with the man himself, Burton C Bell about all things Fear Factory, their comeback to Australia in 2015 and heaps more.

Greeting me like an old mate would, Burton gave me updates on what was happening with the band and their new album. “I’m good Prat! How’re you doing? Thanks for calling! Well, everything is going very well, we are currently in the middle of writing and recording a new album, which will be our ninth full length record. I’ve started recording vocals already – we have three different titles that we’re considering but haven’t decided which one we want to use yet. Hopefully we figure it out at some point!”

Curious as usual, I asked Burton to tell me a little more about the new album, and also if there was any concept behind it. “As you know the title of the fear factory album will sum up the concept of what the entire album is about and encapsulates the feelings, the emotions and the thoughts about this world that we’re trying to describe – the title can mean everything to us. It can also create song titles as well. The ones that we decide on next. The song titles will really come into their place and also create lyrical concepts and ideas. It’s been a great time of creation. As for the concept – well its related, if you’re familiar with ‘The Industrialist’ concept and where it was at the end of the record. The next album is the next part of the story of where ‘The Industrialist’ and it’s thought processes are going.” But that’s all I could get out of him!

Fear Factory were last in Australia in 2012 as part of a tour which saw them play ‘Demanufacture’ in it’s entirety and now recently the band were announced as part of the massive Soundwave 2015 line-up for what promises to be an epic return to the country. I asked him what the fans can expect. “Well we’re very excited to be playing Soundwave – we’ve been asked a couple of times in the past but due to scheduling conflicts, we weren’t able to do it. And we’re even more excited to be a part of the 2015 line-up because it truly is amazing! When it comes to festivals though we rely on a high energy set list and that’s usually the best of Fear Factory. We love to keep the audience and the energy going, so there will be a lot of sing-along type of songs. However you can expect to hear at least one new song on the set list.”

Joining Fear Factory are bands that have conquered the world with their music – Faith No More, Ministry, Godflesh, etc. Burton was like a little boy on Christmas when I mentioned this! Actually, he was just the male version of me fangirling. “We’re very excited, I’m a huge fan of Ministry and Godflesh, and we’re very excited to be playing with them again. Fear Factory has toured with Godflesh and Strapping Young Lad but we haven’t don a full tour with Ministry, just a couple of tours here and there. In 2008 though, I was a guest vocalist on one of Ministry’s tours, that was insane! I’m friends with both bands man, I consider them family and I’m really, really looking forward to being with them on the road, I mean you never know, you might even see me on stage with Ministry at some point if not all of the shows. I mean, I’m a fan of stalker proportions of these bands, I will do anything to see them and perform with them live! I love music, I’m a fan of music, if I’m going to be on tour with some of the bands that have influenced me in my life, you’re goddamn right I’m gonna be there!”

Burton also shared some of his favourite memories with these bands and it’s pretty hilarious (more so when I was talking to him because he couldn’t stop giggling!) “This is a cool thing too – Billy the bassist of Faith No More – he produced Fear Factory’s very first demo so we’ve been friends with Faith No More for many years. In the Mid-Life Crisis video – Dino and I went to the video-taping of that video, we were there while they were doing it and Billy wore the fear Factory t-shirt that we made for him which he wore IN that video. When we were recording Demanufacture, FNM was in the next studio and we were hanging out with those guys they were recording king for a day and we were recording demanufacture. What’s even better is when they were in one studio recording king for a day. I remember walking up to the studio, standing outside and hearing mike patton do some crazy shit. And in the other studio, Bon Jovi was recording as well! So I  remember sitting in the lounge upstairs and we watching TV – Richie Sambora had just started dating Heather Locklear – get this, we were watching Melrose Place and she walks in! AWKWARD! [laughs] Good stories, good memories.”

Burton and I shared a bit of a philosophical moment as we talked about the metal scene today, I asked him for more insight given that he’s been around for years. “Well, as Fear Factory, we’ve definitely been through a lot of changes, had our ups and downs  but I feel were on an upward incline again. That being said and from my experience, the metal scene has gone through a lot of changes and setbacks -it’s really unfortunate. The industry itself has gone through a lot of set backs especially metal. Metal fans love buying records, but really without their support, bands wouldn’t be able to do what they do. Metal fans need to unite and support bands they like respect because again, without their support we are not gonna be able to make music and tour, the scene will die – bands like Fear Factory, Machine Head, Carcass, Napalm Death – we rely on the loyalty of our fans. We’re lucky to be signed with a label as massive as Nuclear Blast – such labels really help push bands to the  forefront! Metal bands have a home to go to because there is a support group and a place where we can actually produce music and get out there. You have to suport these bands because there is no other way for us to get out and tour – we do this because we love to do it and it’s our livelihood!”

The band are working with their favourite Rhys Fulber again on the new record and Burton had nothing but praise for the man. “We are working with him again and he’s brilliant. You know, you go through life as a band, you begin to create a support group and a group of common people you work with who share the same ideas, the same vision. Even though Rhys wasn’t there in the beginning, he came soon after. He lives in Vancouver but we make it work because we he gets Fear Factory, he understands us and is a fan of the band, just like we’re fans of Frontline Assembly. He creates a unique sound scape and has become an integral part of Fear Factory, it’s great that we’re working with him again!”

For kicks and giggles I asked Burton if the band had any specific ritual or tradition that they did before causing the usual riot that they do when they go on stage. “Well, every band has their tradition and we all have our own thing. For me, before I go on stage, I get my game face on. I still get nervous before every show because I go on stage sober – its all raw nerves. I do my vocal warm ups as well but one ritual we occasionally do is we all have a shot of tequila before we get on. Then we just go for it!”

 Fear Factory are also making an appearance for the first time in India for a couple of shows which Burton is stoked about! “We certainly are and I cannot begin to tell you how super excited I am! Personally, I’m so keen to come there because this is the first time in India and really the country is a mystery! Its a place of wonder, something which is beyond reality, beyond explanation! We’re gonna be there for a full week, so I do hope I get to be a tourist. I want to experience it full-on!”

Burton was an absolute pleasure to talk to – warm, down-to-earth and just heaps of fun! Catch Fear Factory back in action in 2015 at Soundwave – trust me, this is going to be one you don’t want to miss!

Saturday, 21st February & Sunday, 22nd February 2015
Adelaide, South Australia

Saturday, 21st February & Sunday, 22nd February 2015
Melbourne, Victoria

Saturday, 28th February & Sunday, 1st March 2015
Olympic Park, Sydney, New South Wales

Saturday, 28th February & Sunday, 1st March 2015
Brisbane, Queensland

Tickets available from Soundwave Touring – www.soundwavefestival.com

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