Gig Review: Fear Factory at Rock City

First up for those of us early enough are Ghost of Atlantis. We had previously seen GoA at The Dome in London, supporting Batushka and really enjoyed their set. Ipswich’s finest hit the stage and delivered a fine performance. A rich and powerful sound, packed with blazing riffs, with a mix of course growling, and clean and clear vocals from Phil Primmer. I really enjoyed them the first time I saw them, but tonight on a bigger stage, the owned the space so well, and they seem to have grown & developed as a band, with increased confidence. A fantastic opening set on a packed night.

Next up we have a real treat with a performance from Ukrainian melodic metal band Ignea. Formed in Kyiv in 2013, and making their UK debut on this tour. They have a different vibe and not easy to fit into any one genre, mixing various heavy styles such as death metal, melodic, symphonic and progressive metal. The result is a set with real depth and quality.

Singer Helle Bohdanova adds the icing on the cake, with her fantastic vocal range, able to handle the clear highs as well as a brilliant guttural growl, switching between the two with ease. The set went down well with the crowd with shouts of “f**k Russia” frequent through the set. Ignea were a real treat, being tight and well balanced. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Next up, we have special guests Butcher Babies. Unfortunately, on this tour, we don’t get the full experience with the twin vocal skills of Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey on show, as Carla has had to remain back in the States for urgent eye surgery (get well soon, Carla).

But in the circumstances Heida and the boys do an incredible job delivering a high energy and powerful set. Heidi covers the double vocal duties well, assisted ably by Henry Flury and Ricky Bonazza helping to fill in. Renown for their impressive energy levels, all three bounce and bound round the stage from start to finish. Chase Brickenden delivers an immense performance on drums holding the whole thing together perfectly, which Henry and Ricky give us a guitar/bass masterclass. 

We all missed Carla, and their duets and interaction, but the set was tight and energetic, and that energy is spread out across the audience who are bouncing and moshing away. A great performance, and a band I look forward to seeing deliver a full headline set as soon as I can.

Finally (although its only 20:30pm) its time for Fear Factory, a band I’ve grown up with and have been a big influence. Originally formed back in 1989 in LA, and as with many bands there has been a number of changes over time. With Tony Campos currently performing with Static-X, it means Dino Cazares is the sole surviving original member. This is our first chance to see new Italian vocalist Mio Silvestro in action.

With former singer Burton C. Bell leaving the band in 2020, it was great to see Milo putting in such a strong performance. If anything, it feels like the band have been re-born, and facing a fresh new dawn. The set comprised material like Martyr taken from their 1992 debut album Soul of a New Machine, right up to Disruptor from their latest studio album, 2021’s Aggression Continuum. Along the way we get all the classics too including Demanufacture and 2001’s iconic Lynchpin.

With Dino driving the riffs, the addition of Milo is inspirational, as he takes control, dominating the stage and the pit with his presence, and owning the material as if he was born to sing it, giving it his own unique flavour. As you’d expect the lighting was stark, often dark and blue, with intense bright ice white strobes giving it a harsh industrial edge. Milo is frequently down in the pit shaking hands and engaging with the crowd. New and old fans alike are enjoying every moment of this classic performance.

So many times bands change, and it’s never quite the same again. For Fear Factory, its as if they’ve been re-manufactured, and the new format. The latest iteration of the industrial metal innovators brings their sound right up to date. Fear Factory remain solid live band, and an experience not to miss.

Fear Factory performed at Rock City on 27 October 2023.