Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares recently addressed the divided fan reactions to the band’s new single, “Roboticist,” during an interview with GRIMM Gent. Some listeners expressed surprise at how much the track resembles classic Fear Factory, despite the introduction of new vocalist Milo Silvestro.
Cazares discussed the mixed feedback from fans regarding the band’s signature sound and the comparison between Silvestro and original singer Burton C. Bell.
“Well, I don’t understand why they would need to say that because Fear Factory is my style, pretty much,” Cazares said. “I’ve read so many comments where some people are, like, ‘It’s too much like Fear Factory.’ ‘It’s not enough like Fear Factory.’ ‘He’s [Milo] too much like [original Fear Factory singer] Burt [Burton C. Bell].’ ‘He’s not enough like Burt.’ And it’s, like, you can’t win, so you put it out and hope for the best.”
He went on to express his personal enthusiasm for the new track and the band’s upcoming full-length album, noting that the record will feature a mix of familiar and fresh elements.
“For me personally, I love the new song,” Cazares continued. “I love the [upcoming Fear Factory full-length] record, and I can’t wait for people to hear the rest of it. It is diverse. It does have a lot of Fear Factory elements that people know, but it also goes into different elements as well. And, of course, Milo does introduce different styles of vocals.”
Cazares also shared details about the band’s release strategy and what fans can expect from their next single.
“We wanted to put out just a quick banger — just a really quick banger just to get it out there,” he added. “And I think the new song that we’ve got coming out after this is gonna be a little different too. But you’re still gonna say, ‘Okay, that’s still Fear Factory.’ And you’re still gonna notice that it still has our formula, yes, but there’s just new, different elements that add to it.”
The comments arrive at a pivotal moment for the band, as “Roboticist” marks a clear dividing line between Fear Factory’s past and its current incarnation. Understanding that transition requires looking at the lineup changes and legal battles that reshaped the group over the past several years.
“Roboticist” is the first recorded Fear Factory release featuring Milo Silvestro and the recording debut of the band’s current lineup, which also includes drummer Pete Webber and bassist Tony Campos. Released through Nuclear Blast, the single is the band’s first new music since 2021’s Aggression Continuum and the first Fear Factory song in the group’s history not sung by longtime vocalist Burton C. Bell. Cazares described the release as “the beginning of a new era of Fear Factory.”
Silvestro’s path to the microphone was gradual rather than sudden. He officially joined the band in February 2023 and spent roughly three and a half years performing Fear Factory’s back catalog live before ever recording with the group. That extended touring period gave him time to earn the trust of both the band and its audience before stepping into the studio.
The upcoming album, which will include “Roboticist,” remains largely under wraps. Neither a title nor a release date has been announced, though Cazares has consistently described the record as “diverse” and said it “goes into different elements.” The album follows Aggression Continuum, which was recorded with Bell but issued after years of internal disputes.
