This was the first date on the Transgression 2005 Tour, so I was hoping for a little something extra, it being the first. I was also possibly expecting some mishaps being that was the first date. I had never seen Fear Factory before so I was hoping for only the best. I heard nothing but fantastic things about them. I had ingested the proper amount of alcohol before the concert and I was ready to go for 3 hours or so of non-stop Metal.
First up on the list was Darkane, a Swedish Melodic Death Metal band, that I really enjoy on CD, especially their newest album which I reviewed, entitled "Layers Of Lies". Unfortunately the pre-party lasted a little too long and I only got to see 3 songs, which all slayed. Though I am not too sure on the song titles, overall they were about what I expected from them.
Next on the bill was Strapping Young Lad, who I heard was absolutely insane live. They definitely lived up to my expectations. I am not really familiar with their song titles, I also only have their new album "Alien". I do know that they did play "Imperial" as well as "Zen" for the very first time in concert.
Unfortunately It Dies Today was next on stage. I pretty much have nothing to say other than the fact that they are awful. They need to be playing to a different audience. Their lead singer pranced around the stage like a fucking gay Peter Pan. All right, I am done with them.
Finally the moment I had been waiting for since I first heard "Obsolete" (1998). The anticipation was building like there was no tomorrow. Once the first notes of "540,000 Degrees Fahrenheit" could be heard, the place went fricking insane. They then played another track off the new album, "Transgression", but both of those songs were overshadowed by "Demanufacture" which happens to be the title cut off my 1995 favorite album by Fear Factory. Another highlight was then playing "Martyr", my favorite track off "Soul Of A New Machine" (1992). To hear the whole crowd chant "SUFFFER BASTARD" was just too surreal. The next highlight of the concert was back to back playing of the two tracks that got me into the band: "Shock" and "Edgecrusher".
On a side note, the first time I heard Fear Factory was them playing "Edgecrusher" on some MTV spring break thing. Weird huh? Anyway, back to the concert, they played two tracks off "Digimortal" (2001) which I thought was odd because I thought the band had totally renounced that album. I guess not. The songs went over fairly well I thought. They also played the remarkably awesome track "Cyberwaste", which I love because of the message that it sends out. Then the moment everyone in the crowd was waiting for or at least from my perspective, "Replica"!!! Oh my god, this is easily my favorite Fear Factory track; I went fucking nuts.
I am absolutely convinced this song is the reason I lost my voice the next day as well as had a terrible whiplash. I figured "all right, I guess no encore because they can't top 'Replica'". You know, I am cool with that, it was a good set. Then Burton comes back on stage and sings "Timelessness", which I thought was not necessary; I mean yeah, it was cool to see that song. However, there are so many other songs that they could have played before "Replica" and then encored with "Replica", oh well. Overall it was a good concert, not the best I have ever seen but then I have seen some awesome concerts.
Fear Factory's setlist:
01. 540,000 Degrees Fahrenheit
02. Transgression
03. Demanufacture
04. Self Bias Resistor
05. Martyr
06.Shock
07. Edgecrusher
08. Linchpin
09. Acres of Skin
10. Archetype
11. Descent
12. Zero Signal
13. Spinal Compression
14. Slave Labor
15. Cyberwaste
16. Replica
Encore:
17. Timelessness
