Los Angeles' industrial metal masters Fear Factory have embraced the tools of technology and chosen their guidance as a means of musical delivery, as witnessed on their latest Roadrunner/Attic release 'Demanufacture' - a powerful second full-length outing that fits somewhere between Pantera and Ministry, sure to kick you square in your megabyte!

"We have always used keyboards in our music, but this is the first time we have used them extensively," explains lead vocalist/growler Burton C. Bell from Roadrunner's head office in New York. "By incorporating more technology we could emphasize our music to get a fuller sound."

Completed by guitarist Dino Cazares, drummer Raymond Herrera and new bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, it seems Fear Factory is trying to break away from the industrial/death metal sound that brought them victory in the metal world with their earth shattering 1992 debut 'Soul Of A New Machine'.

States Bell, "We wanted to use the technology that is available to us - a lot of that electronic equipment and technological stuff - 'cause we wanted to manipulate the machines to get what we wanted because we're tired of that typical industrial sound. We wanted more of a cleaner, cold sound rather than a heavy clanging-banging sound. We did at least half of the record on computer, and it was great."

While many of today's bands change to become trendy or accepted, Bell assures me that changes in Fear Factory have been about growth. "I can see how we have grown. It's not like an instant change, though it may seem that way to our fans because it has been some time from our first record. I want people to react positively just because it is still really aggressive and it is still us."

Upon listening to the album many fans will note that Bell has transformed his one-time permanent growling mode to a very assorted list of vocal techniques. "A lot of the music didn't call for the low guttural stuff anymore," contends Bell. "I wanted to move away from that, yet it wasn't totally intentional. I have become less self-conscious as a singer. I guess from growing up I have become a better singer ... vocalist should I say."

Taking only four months to write, record and finish up Demanufacture, Bell accounts the maturity of the band in regards to both song and music writing with the rapid completion of the latest disc - a far cry from the year and a half of the 'soul-searching' that went into their debut. "I think the writing process has become more extensive, not a lot easier, but it is more of a thought out process. Until everyone is completely satisfied with a song then it is not done."

Seeing the response and respect Fear Factory has attained over the last little while does he and the rest of the band feel any pressure for their band by being labelled 'New Breed Of Metal.' "I am actually proud to be called the 'New Breed,' the 'New Generation.' This is something new and we are creating new music for the people of the future to hear. That is exciting.

"I think new bands like us, Machine Head and Monster Voodoo Machine are all creating and doing new stuff. It is a new style of playing and we have touched on something that people will build upon."

Through the transitions that the band has taken over the last three years, Bell notes that though fans have come and gone, the strong core of Fear Factory fans still exists and continues to grow with each album and tour.

"I think our fans have grown with us. I think we have lost some of our fans, the real rigid death metal fans that are steadfest in their beliefs that it is death metal all the way. I think there are a lot of fans and listeners that have evolved with us and are starting to understand the meaning of music. It is just that when a band grows and it is special. It is good to do something special all the time."

And what about the band's growth? "We got to keep changing and do something different every time and if you don't that is when the boredom sets in. We are going to be trying to do innovative things with Fear Factory in the future."

::::::::::::::::: Check Out Fear Factory ON TOUR ::::::::::::::::::

with Megadeth, Flotsam And Jetsam and Korn

August 13 - Compton Terrace, Phoenix, AZ August 16 - Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, TX August 17 - Johnnyland, Corpus Christi, TX August 18 - Woodlands Pavilion, Houston, TX August 19 - Riverpark Amphitheatre, Tulsa, OK August 20 - Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX August 22 - State Palace, New Orleans, LA August 23 - Bayfront Amphitheatre, Pensacola, FL August 25 - University of Central Florida Arena, Orlando, FL August 26 - Bayfront Park, Miami, FL August 27 - Expo Hall, Tampa Bay, FL