Digimortal (album)

Digimortal
Studio album by Fear Factory
Released	April 24, 2001
Recorded	September 30 − November 4, 2000
Genre	Industrial metal, alternative metal, groove metal, nu metal
Length	43:20 55:05 (bonus tracks)
Label	Roadrunner
Producer	Fear Factory Rhys Fulber
Fear Factory chronology
Messiah (1999) Digimortal (2001) Concrete (2002)
Singles from Digimortal
"Linchpin" Released: 2001 "Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies)" Released: 2001

Digimortal is Fear Factory's fourth studio album, released on April 24, 2001 by Roadrunner Records. It is considered a concept album and a sequel to Obsolete, their previous album (which was itself a continuation to Demanufacture) and the final part of a trilogy.

This was the band's last album before officially breaking up in March 2002. Although Digimortal was not a commercial success, this was not given as reason for the band's breakup, instead citing frontman Burton C. Bell's desire to "form a band that's more indie-rock-oriented." Fear Factory would officially reform in 2003, however, to begin work on their next album, Archetype. Digimortal was the last to feature founding guitarist/songwriter Dino Cazares for seven years until his return to the band in 2009.

Background and recording

In February 2000, Fear Factory reported working on their follow-up to Obsolete. No lyrics had been written and the band had decided to shift away from their typical approach to creating a record. They also wanted a less-produced sound and stated that the new album would not be concept-based as their previous two were. The latter would ultimately not hold true. Already, Alternative Press was describing it as one of the most anticipated albums of the year.^[1]

Digimortal would be produced by longtime Fear Factory collaborator Rhys Fulber. The group had considered working with Bob Rock who declined. Toby Wright was also approached but was allegedly busy with a new Ozzy Osbourne record. The band began recording on October 1, 2000.^[2]

Burton C. Bell noted in an interview with Billboard that, when beginning the writing process, the band wished to evolve their sound. As such, they constantly reminded themselves of the word "simplification" in the pursuit of Fear Factory's progression. He added, "We don't need to play a song seven minutes long if we can get the idea across in four minutes."^[3] Digimortal would utilize a more melodic approach both musically and vocally than previous records while maintaining Fear Factory's heaviness. Bell described it as "definitely as intense as Demanufacture but with the groove of Obsolete, and there's a lot more melody."^[4]

The popular track "Linchpin" was originally titled "Lynchpin" and an unused early track listing is featured on The Best of Fear Factory. In a move uncharacteristic for the band, B-Real, of the rap group Cypress Hill, is featured as a guest vocalist on "Back the Fuck Up," contributing elements of hardcore hip hop. It is the only song on the album that is not written by the band.

Concept

While the band had initially decided to detour from their concept-based records, Digimortal would continue were Obsolete left off. Conceptually, the record contains a futuristic story about man and machine merging into one. The surviving humans and the machines realize they have to depend on each other if they are going to continue on. The title of the album is actually short for "Digital Mortality."

Touring and promotion

A limited edition digipak version of the album was released simultaneously with the standard version, with four extra tracks.

Fear Factory performed on the 2001 SnoCore Tour early that year. Frontman Burton C. Bell noted the album concept as "circuitry is creating a new image of man" and related this as "perfect for the first tour of the millennium."^[5] The band was also scheduled to support Papa Roach on their Raid The Nation Tour in spring but the headliners had to cancel due to an injury.^[3] Fear Factory instead performed smaller venues close to the originally planned tour's schedule.

In the fall of 2001, the band co-headlined with Machine Head alongside ill Niño and Chimaira on the Roadrunner Road Rage Tour. Fear Factory departed for two shows to performed on the Smoke Out tour with the likes of Cypress Hill, Deftones, Busta Rhymes, and Method Man. The October 6 date would have an extended lineup featuring all the bands from the Roadrunner Rage Tour.^[6]

Digimortal featured the single "Linchpin" which gained substantial radio play and had a music video.

A portion of "Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies)," was featured during the credits of Resident Evil as well as a mix on the soundtrack.

Reception

Commercial success

Commercially, Digimortal was a disappointment compared to the band's previous record. While its single "Linchpin," managed to chart, the album had only sold a reported 152,000 copies by March 2002.^[7]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[8]
Blabbermouth.net	[9]
Chronicles of Chaos	[10]
Drowned in Sound	[11]
Q	05/2001 (p. 108)
Rolling Stone	(favorable)[12]

Digimortal received generally positive reviews. Longtime fan reaction was mixed; alienation stemmed from the album's overtly melodic simplicity cited as being influenced by the popular nu metal scene.

• College Music Journal (4/9/01, p.17) - "Demented disco....Digimortal is cybercore: digitized, overdubbed metal with crunchy, machine-like production."
• Q magazine (5/01, p.108) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Ethereal and breathtaking."

Track listing

All tracks by Fear Factory

No.	Title	Length
1.	"What Will Become?"	3:24
2.	"Damaged"	3:03
3.	"Digimortal"	3:04
4.	"No One"	3:37
5.	"Linchpin"	3:25
6.	"Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies)"	3:54
7.	"Acres of Skin"	3:55
8.	"Back the Fuck Up" (ft. B-Real)	3:10
9.	"Byte Block"	5:21
10.	"Hurt Conveyor"	3:42
11.	"(Memory Imprints) Never End"	6:48
Total length:		43:20

Limited Edition Digipak
No.	Title	Length
12.	"Dead Man Walking"	3:16
13.	"Strain Vs. Resistance"	3:25
14.	"Repentance"	2:40
15.	"Full Metal Contact"	2:28

Personnel

Band members

• Burton C. Bell − vocals
• Dino Cazares − guitar
• Christian Olde Wolbers − bass
• Raymond Herrera − drums

Others

• John Anonymous − pre-production
• Robert Breen − assistant engineer
• Huey Dee − pre-production
• Rhys Fulber − producer
• Tom Jermann − artistic director
• George Marino − composer
• Mike Plotnikoff − mixing, technical engineer
• Oscar Ramirez − assistant engineer
• Billy Sherwood − vocal arrangement
• Paul Silveira − engineer
• Malcolm Springer − pre-production arranger
• Neil Zlozower − photography
• B-Real − composed track 8

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
2001	The Billboard 200	32
	Top Canadian Albums	17
	Top Independent Albums	1

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
2001	"Linchpin"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	31

References

1. ^ Mancini, Robert Fear Factory Gets To Work On New Album MTV.com (February 3, 2000). Retrieved on 7-16-11.
2. ^ Saidman, Sorelle Fear Factory Back in the Studio MTV.com (October 10, 2000). Retrieved on 7-16-11.
3. ^ ^{a b} Marshall, Clay Roadrunner's Fear Factory Goes Sci-Fi On 'Digimortal' Billboard (April 28, 2001). Retrieved on 7-16-11.
4. ^ Fear Factory Answers(March 13, 2001). Retrieved on 7-15-11.
5. ^ Joseph, Peter Sno-core Ball hits with metal edge The GW Hatchet (February 8, 2001). Retrieved on 7-16-11.
6. ^ D'Angelo, Joe Fear Factory, Machine Head Ready For The Road MTV.com (September 18, 2001). Retrieved on 7-16-11.
7. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon Fear Factory Shutting Down MTV.com (March 7, 2002). Retrieved on 7-16-11.
8. ^ "Digimortal - Fear Factory". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r526870/review. 
9. ^ "CD Reviews". Blabbermouth.net. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=45. 
10. ^ "Fear Factory - Digimortal: Review". Chronicles of Chaos. http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-2034_fear_factory_digimortal.aspx. 
11. ^ http://www.drownedinsound.com/release/view/2583^{[dead link]}
12. ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/fearfactory/albums/album/119663/review/6067903/digimortal^{[dead link]}