Fear Factory band photo

Burton C. Bell Weighs in on FEAR FACTORY's New Era: A Voice Unheard

By Jason •
In a candid interview, the iconic former frontman reveals his indifference to the new FEAR FACTORY sound while reflecting on his tumultuous past with the band.

In a raw and revealing exchange with Pierre Gutiérrez of Rock Talks, Burton C. Bell, the legendary voice behind FEAR FACTORY's groundbreaking sound, broke his silence on the band's latest single, "Roboticist". Bell, who departed from the band amidst a whirlwind of legal battles and personal turmoil, admitted, "I have not heard it. I got no comment… I have a feeling it sounds like FEAR FACTORY. So that's all I'm gonna say." This marks his first public acknowledgment of the band's trajectory since the arrival of new vocalist Milo Silvestro and drummer Pete Webber.

When pressed about Silvestro's stage presence, Bell remained detached, stating, "I've never seen any videos [of FEAR FACTORY with Milo]. I don't watch that stuff. So I have no comment. I really have no interest to. That's the honest truth. I've moved on." His indifference speaks volumes about his desire to distance himself from the band's current incarnation, a stark contrast to the fervor and passion that once drove the industrial metal pioneers.

As discussions turned to the similarities between Silvestro and Bell—right down to their shared vocal styles and stage antics—Bell remained unfazed. “There's no accounting for taste and what people like,” he noted, acknowledging the whispers circulating among friends but ultimately dismissing any concern. "Honestly, I don't care. I've heard rumblings — mumblings. But my friends, they know how I feel, so they don't really tell me." This dismissal underscores his resolve to forge a path unencumbered by the baggage of his past.

Since his departure from FEAR FACTORY in September 2020, Bell has been on a journey of self-discovery. He previously admitted that leaving was fraught with difficulty, revealing the emotional toll that years of legal strife and egos had taken on him. “Stepping away from FEAR FACTORY was not an easy decision,” he shared, emphasizing his determination to reclaim his identity outside the band's shadow. "They can take all this stuff from me — they can take the money, they can take the royalties, they can take the trademark away from me — and I realized that didn't define me.”

Now, Bell is channeling his energy into a solo project and a spoken-word experience titled "Obsolete By Word Of Mouth," marking the 30th anniversary of FEAR FACTORY's seminal album, "Obsolete". The intimate events in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas promise fans a rare glimpse into the mind of a metal icon who refuses to be defined by his past. For those eager to witness this evolution, tickets and information can be found at www.burtoncbell.com.