Dino Cazares appeared on the ‘Life Is Peachy Podcast’ a couple of weeks ago to mark the 20th anniversary of Fear Factory’s ‘Archetype.’ During the chat, he shared his thoughts on the band’s first album after his departure revealing that the guitar riffs sounded so similar to his style that he considered legal action.
“It was a good replication of what we had done prior to that record being released. So, the fans loved it,” Cazares noted about the overall record. “You know, I think they nailed the sound, and they did a great interpretation of the legacy of what Fear Factory sounded on the previous four records. So, I think it sits well.”
He then revealed, “‘Slave Labor’ sounded so much like ‘Shock’ that I thought I put on ‘Obsolete’ record. You know what I mean? I was like, ‘What? When?’ I thought it was me at first, and then, after that, I thought maybe they copied my riff. You know, what the hell is going on here? Can I sue for plagiarism? I couldn’t because I was still part of the corporation part of the trademark.”
“I was still getting paid 25%. So, I really couldn’t sue. I mean, I could, but it would be pointless. So, I was like, ‘Ah, just let it go.’ And I did,” the guitarist added.
Cazares left Fear Factory in 2002 amid rising tensions within the band. That same year, drummer Raymond Herrera and bassist Christian Olde Wolbers revived the band without the guitarist.
Cazares didn’t take part in 2004’s ‘Archetype’ and 2005’s ‘Transgression.’ So, he doesn’t own rights to these albums and cannot release them on streaming platforms without permission despite fan demand.
But all albums released after his return to the lineup in 2009 include the guitarist in the credits. He also holds 100% of the trademark and remains as the only original member. Other members left one by one following legal issues with Cazares.
