Alright, metalheads, gather ’round and prepare your ear canals for what’s about to hit you harder than a hydraulic press crushing a car – the “Cybernetic Domination” tour is officially on, and it’s bringing more industrial-grade mayhem than a robot uprising at a scrapyard!
11/13 Wichita, KS – Wave
11/14 Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
11/15 Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
11/17 Billings, MT – Pub Station
11/18 Great Falls, MT – The Newberry
11/20 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
11/21 Portland, OR – The Hawthorne Theatre
11/22 Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club
11/24 Fresno, CA – Strummers
11/25 San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
11/27 Pomona, CA – The Glass House
11/28 Los Angeles, CA – The Whisky A Go Go
11/29 Los Angeles, CA – The Whisky A Go Go
The lineup reads like a mad scientist’s dream team: Fear Factory, those pioneers who’ve been screaming about man versus machine since the ’90s (and somehow still haven’t figured out who’s winning), are bringing their signature blend of groovy riffs and existential dread across America this November. Supporting them are DARKEST HOUR, who’ve been keeping the hardcore flame alive since the days when people still bought CDs, and BROTALITY, who apparently decided that if you’re going to have a metal band name, you might as well commit fully to the bit.
Guitarist Dino Cazares, looking like he just stepped out of a post-apocalyptic wasteland (or maybe just woke up from a particularly intense nap), had this to say about the tour: “We’re hitting places we haven’t played in a while.” Wow, Dino, truly groundbreaking stuff there! I mean, who would’ve thought that a band would want to play in new cities? Revolutionary! He continues, “We can’t wait to play with our friends in DARKEST HOUR and the newcomers BROTALITY.” Friends? Newcomers? Dino, please, we’re trying to maintain the brutal mystique here, not plan a neighborhood barbecue!
The tour kicks off in Wichita, Kansas – because nothing says “industrial domination” quite like the heart of America’s breadbasket – and makes its way across the country with stops in Denver, Seattle, and Pomona. But here’s where it gets interesting: they’re closing out in their hometown of Los Angeles with not one, but TWO nights at the legendary Whisky A Go Go. That’s right, they’re pulling a Beyoncé – but instead of different outfits, they’re doing entirely different albums! Night one: “Demanufacture” in its entirety. Night two: “Obsolete” in its entirety. Because apparently, playing one classic album just isn’t enough punishment for the audience.
And get this – after the show, they’re actually going to hang out and sign stuff! “Pick up something at our merch table and we’ll gladly sign it and take photos with you after the show (wherever the venue allows it).” How generous of them! I mean, who needs privacy when you can spend your post-show decompression time scribbling your name on sweaty t-shirts for strangers? The sacrifices these rock stars make!
But wait, there’s more! The band is also working on their first album with new vocalist Milo Silvestro and drummer Pete Webber. Dino describes it as “intense” and promises detailed synopses for each song. Because apparently, we’re too stupid to figure out what “I am a robot” means without a 500-word essay explaining the symbolism.
The album’s concept? Surprise, surprise – it’s about the eternal struggle between organic and digital! Original, right? Dino explains, “We are now 35 years later, where we are now, and that’s what kind of like what we’re talking about.” Deep thoughts from the mastermind himself. Apparently, humanity is now just “fragments” with “very little hope,” which sounds less like an album concept and more like my bank account after a night out.
Oh, and remember that instrumental track “Roboticist” from 2023? Yeah, that’s on the album now. Dino promises the arrangement has changed “for the better, of course.” Because nothing says artistic integrity like repurposing a promotional track from a guitar plugin.
The band has been working with Milo for three years now, which is apparently how long it takes to figure out if someone can scream about technology without sounding like they’re having a nervous breakdown. Dino explains they didn’t want to rush the album because “we want it to be the shit.” Groundbreaking philosophy there, Dino. Quality over speed – truly revolutionary thinking in the music industry!
Milo, for his part, seems both thrilled and mildly traumatized by his new gig. He describes it as “beyond crazy” and admits that sometimes he has to remind himself that he’s actually the singer of Fear Factory and not just having an elaborate fever dream. Poor guy thought his dreams were “right here” but ended up way higher. Story of every musician’s life, buddy!
So there you have it, folks – Fear Factory is coming to melt your face off this November, bringing with them enough industrial-grade metal to make Skynet proud. Just remember: when the robots eventually rise up and enslave humanity, you can tell them you saw it coming at the “Cybernetic Domination” tour. They’ll probably still kill you, but at least you’ll have that small satisfaction.
And hey, if you’re lucky, maybe Dino will sign your t-shirt afterwards while explaining the intricate details of each song’s concept. Just don’t ask him to explain why they’re still using the same themes they’ve been hammering on for three decades – some mysteries are better left unsolved.
