In a shocking turn of events, industrial metal pioneers FEAR FACTORY played their new single, “Roboticist”, live for the first time at the opening concert of their “Cybernetic Domination” summer/fall 2026 European tour, which launched Saturday night (August 29) at Tama in Poznań, Poland. Because, you know, the world was just missing a healthy dose of robotic-themed metal to really get the juices flowing. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below, because who needs official recordings when you have a guy in the crowd with a smartphone?
According to Setlist.fm, the setlist for the shows was as follows:
01. “Roboticist” (live debut)
02. “Industrial Discipline”
03. “Powershifter”
04. “Acres Of Skin” (tour debut)
05. “Shock”
06. “Edgecrusher”
07. “Linchpin”
08. “No One” (first time since 2001)
09. “Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies)”
10. “Soul Hacker”
11. “Martyr”
12. “Arise Above Oppression” (first time since 2005)
13. “Archetype”
14. “Demanufacture”
15. “Zero Signal”
16. “Replica”
17. “Resurrection”
But wait, there’s more! “Roboticist”, available now via Nuclear Blast, marks the band’s first release with FEAR FACTORY’s latest additions, singer Milo Silvestro and drummer Pete Webber, who have been part of FEAR FACTORY’s touring lineup for nearly three and a half years. Because who needs a stable lineup when you can just swap out members like they’re going out of style?
The Future Is Now, Apparently
FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares commented: “The future isn’t coming; it’s already here. ‘Roboticist’ is the next evolution of FEAR FACTORY. Man, Machine and the war for what comes next. I’m just excited to see how our fans will react to the new material.” Yeah, because that’s not a phrase that’s been used to describe every single FEAR FACTORY album since the dawn of time.
In a recent interview, Dino was asked if the “Roboticist” release “feels like the beginning of a completely new chapter” for FEAR FACTORY, to which he responded: “Of course. It’s a whole new era for FEAR FACTORY, and we’ve been promoting it that way live.” Wow, a whole new era? That sounds like a bold claim, Dino. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that you’ve got a new singer and drummer.
A.I. Is Taking Over, But At Least The Music Is Good
Dino also discussed the lyrical inspiration for “Roboticist”, saying: “Basically, what that is about is about the actual roboticist, the person that makes them. We call it the architect of the artificial. He’s building machines to outlast the flesh.” Because, you know, that’s not a terrifying concept at all. I mean, who needs human emotions when you can have cold, calculating machines, right?
In related news, FEAR FACTORY’s “Cybernetic Domination” European tour with CRYSTAL LAKE, HATE, and THE NOCTURNAL AFFAIR will conclude on October 10 in London, United Kingdom. Because who needs a social life when you can spend your days touring with a bunch of metal bands?
And finally, in a bizarre twist, Dino revealed that the upcoming FEAR FACTORY album will contain lyrics that deal with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (A.I.). Because, you know, that’s not a topic that’s been done to death in the metal world. I mean, who needs originality when you can just regurgitate the same old themes over and over again?
In conclusion, FEAR FACTORY is back, and they’re more robotic than ever! 🤖 But hey, at least the music is still good, right? RIGHT?! 🤷♂️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
