Released 26 years ago, on July 28, 1998, Obsolete is Fear Factory's third studio album, heralding a groundbreaking moment in the industrial metal genre. Conceptually, it explores a dystopian future where humanity has become subservient to machines, blending a potent narrative with intense musical execution. The lineup features Burton C. Bell's unique vocal dynamics, Dino Cazares' precise and aggressive guitar work, Christian Olde Wolbers' deep bass lines, and Raymond Herrera's complex drumming.
The album includes standout tracks such as "Shock," "Edgecrusher," and "Descent," which showcase the band's signature fusion of aggressive riffs, mechanical rhythms, and melodic elements. Fear Factory collaborated with producer Rhys Fulber (Conjure One/Delerium/Front Line Assembly) to enhance their futuristic soundscapes, resulting in a critically acclaimed record that combines heavy metal intensity with electronic atmospheres.
Largely due to the popularity of the band's rendition of "Cars", which reached No. 57 on the UK charts, Obsolete gained significant commercial success. As of 2002, the album had sold over 406,000+ copies. It is Fear Factory's best selling album to date and was certified gold in Australia and also in the US.
Obsolete achieved commercial success, marking Fear Factory's highest chart position at the time and solidifying their influence in the metal community. The album's narrative and sound continue to resonate, emphasizing themes of resistance and technological dominance that remain relevant today.
Obsolete (Roadrunner Records – RR 8752-2)
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Shock |
4:58 |
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Edgecrusher |
3:39 |
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Smasher/Devourer |
5:34 |
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Securitron [Police State 2000] |
5:47 |
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Descent |
4:36 |
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Hi-Tech Hate |
4:33 |
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Freedom Or Fire |
5:11 |
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Obsolete |
3:51 |
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Resurrection |
6:35 |
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Timelessness |
4:08 |
