Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares recently discussed the band’s upcoming single, “Roboticist.” He explained how he came to realize new vocalist Milo Silvestro was the right fit for the group.
Cazares talked about how Fear Factory has been presenting its new era live. He noted that the arrival of the new song will let fans finally hear what that direction sounds like.
“It’s a whole new era for Fear Factory, and we’ve been promoting it that way live,” Dino Cazares said. “‘Cause as of right now, we’ve only been playing all the back catalog of Fear Factory, and people seem to love it. And one of the first things that Milo says is, ‘Welcome to the new era of Fear Factory’ That’s exactly what it is. And so now, with the new song coming out, people are gonna be able to hear what that sounds like.”
He then went on to explain what initially drew him to Milo Silvestro’s vocal style. He also described how closely it aligned with the sound longtime Fear Factory fans expect.
“I was very attracted to the way Milo sang and the way he sounded like what Fear Factory fans know what the vocalist should sound like,” he continued. “Of course, people say, ‘Oh, you replaced him ’cause he’s a replica,’ and, yeah, definitely. Because that’s how the songs were made, that’s how the songs were sung, and that’s the tone of the vocals. And so Milo had it nailed down.”
Cazares also addressed Silvestro’s familiarity with original singer Burton C. Bell’s technique. He explained how that connection shaped his decision.
“And, obviously, we were one of his favorite bands. We’re pretty much in the top five. And he knew the band. He knew what effects [original Fear Factory singer] Burton [C. Bell] used. He was definitely a fan of Burton and he definitely knew his technique on how he created tones, and he fit right in. So, right when I saw his video, I was, like, ‘Wow, this kid sounds just like him.’ And some people complain that he sounds too much like him, but if he sounded not like him, then people would be, like, ‘Well, it doesn’t sound like Fear Factory.'”
He acknowledged the difficulty of pleasing every listener with the choice. He ultimately settled on the sound that best matched the band’s vision.
“So it’s, like, you can’t win or lose with it, so I ended deciding to go with what fit best for the sound that we were trying to go for,” Cazares said. “So it’s a very familiar sound, tone, technique that people are used to. So when people go and see the songs live, if they close their eyes, it sounds exactly the same. So that’s exactly what we were going for.”
Cazares noted that the classic Fear Factory sound remains intact on the new record. He added that Silvestro also brings his own identity to the material.
“On the new record, there’s definitely still a lot of those same elements, but Milo definitely has some of his own style that shows on the new record. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
Cazares’ remarks arrive just as “Roboticist” is set to make its debut. The song gives fans their first proper look at what this new chapter for Fear Factory actually sounds like.
“Roboticist” will officially arrive on Saturday, August 29. The track marks Fear Factory’s first release with both Milo Silvestro and drummer Pete Webber, cementing the lineup shift Cazares has been teasing throughout the band’s recent live shows built around the back catalog.
The single is expected to serve as the first preview from Fear Factory’s forthcoming eleventh studio album, the follow-up to 2021’s “Aggression Continuum.” Its release is also tied to the launch of the band’s “Cybernetic Domination” European tour, giving the new lineup its first extended run in front of audiences overseas.
Cazares has previously said that Silvestro “shines” on “Roboticist.” His comments reinforce the confidence he expressed about the singer capturing the tone and technique that longtime Fear Factory fans expect, while still stamping his own identity onto the material.
The single’s arrival is now just days away. “Roboticist” stands as the clearest signal yet of where Fear Factory is headed with its new vocalist and rhythm section in place, setting the stage for what the band has framed as a genuine new era for the group.
