Fear Factory’s new vocalist Milo Silvestro has opened up about his approach to filling the shoes of original singer Burton C. Bell. He shared his dedication to replicating the band’s iconic sound in an interview with Mike James Rock Show.
Silvestro discussed his meticulous process of studying Bell’s vocal techniques. He also expressed his gratitude for fan acceptance of the band’s new lineup.
“I’m really thankful for all the fans that are accepting with open arms this new lineup of Fear Factory because it’s really not an easy thing,” Silvestro said. “It’s a really big legacy and we’re trying to honor it as much as we can.”
The singer revealed his detailed approach to mastering Fear Factory’s classic material. He focused particularly on their current tour featuring the complete “Demanufacture” album.
“I’m a really meticulous, picky individual when it comes to replicating something,” he continued. “We’re playing ‘Demanufacture’ in its entirety on the current tour, so I went back to the stems of the record and even listened to vocals closely and just tried to replicate every nuance that Burt did. So, yeah, we try to make it right and we appreciate that the fans are supporting this.”
Silvestro also addressed balancing his own vocal identity with the band’s established sound.
“I try to sneak in some bits of my vocal personality, but not too much to change it completely,” he explained. “I try to sound like the original singer, because his vocal legacy of the band is such an iconic vocal sound, and you wanna nail that style. I’m still working on playing a cappella and try to nail the sound more and more and more because I think this band deserves it.”
Silvestro’s commitment to preserving Bell’s vocal legacy reflects the unique approach that made Fear Factory’s original frontman so distinctive in the metal scene.
Metal Injection reported that Bell described his vocal technique as “vocalizing” rather than traditional screaming. He compared it to how a pastor or preacher delivers passionate sermons. This approach emphasized emotional delivery over pure aggression. It set Fear Factory apart from their contemporaries in the industrial metal genre.
The technical aspects of Bell’s style also present unique challenges for any successor. Blabbermouth noted that Silvestro has observed how proper screaming techniques like those used by Bell are actually safer for vocal cords than improper clean singing techniques. These techniques incorporate false cord, fry scream, and controlled shouting. This technical knowledge demonstrates the depth of study required to authentically replicate Bell’s sound.
“Burt was probably one of the first in that era,” Silvestro explained in previous interviews. He emphasized the importance of capturing not just Bell’s technical abilities but also his emotional “leaks” and the soul behind the vocals. This philosophy aligns with Bell’s own description of his approach. Bell focused on delivering messages as succinctly and passionately as possible while adapting to each song’s unique harmony and melody.
The challenge facing Silvestro extends beyond vocal technique to encompass the broader legacy of Fear Factory’s sound. Blabbermouth revealed that Bell’s approach was fundamentally about “vocalizing for feeling and vocalizing a moment.” This made each performance an emotional experience rather than simply a technical display. This philosophy of connecting with the material on a deeper level is something Silvestro clearly strives to emulate. He works to honor the band’s established sound while gradually introducing elements of his own vocal personality.
