Is Obsolete a good place to start with Fear Factory?

Yes, Obsolete is recommended as a starting point for new Fear Factory listeners. A relentless fusion of industrial and groove metal that explores dystopian themes through aggressive riffs and mechanized rhythms. Obsolete is Fear Factory's third studio album, following the breakthrough success of Demanufacture in 1995. By this point, the band had solidified their distinctive sound, merging death metal with electronic elements, and were positioned as pioneers in the industrial metal scene.

Obsolete works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and wave-like pacing and flow.

How many songs are on Obsolete?

Obsolete has 11 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Obsolete

Fear Factory · 1998

52 min · 11 tracks · death metal

A relentless fusion of industrial and groove metal that explores dystopian themes through aggressive riffs and mechanized rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Shock Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Edgecrusher — This track combines powerful lyrics about resistance against oppression with dynamic shifts between melodic and aggressive sections, showcasing Fear Factory's signature sound.
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Securitron [Police State 2000] — The song critiques societal control through its heavy instrumentation and dystopian lyrics, exemplifying the album's overarching theme of technological domination.
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Obsolete — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of obsolescence and humanity's struggle against mechanization, featuring a haunting chorus that contrasts with its heavy backdrop.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Obsolete combines aggressive metal with electronic elements, creating a distinct sound while exploring complex themes.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature rapid-fire drumming and aggressive guitar riffs, establishing a high-energy pace that persists through much of the album.
Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, such as samples and synths, which blend seamlessly with the heavy instrumentation.
The album's lyrics explore dystopian themes, often reflecting on technology's impact on society, which is reinforced by the mechanized sound design.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
wave-like pacing and flow
intense thematic exploration

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Ambitious concept and production mark a high point in the band's career.
Themes: technological domination· dystopian oppression· mechanized resistance
Moods: Dark· Introspective
Career context: Obsolete is Fear Factory's third studio album, following the breakthrough success of Demanufacture in 1995. By this point, the band had solidified their distinctive sound, merging death metal with electronic elements, and were positioned as pioneers in the industrial metal scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Strapping Young Lad· Ministry· Static-X

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Securitron [Police State 2000]

The shift to a first-person perspective emphasizes personal defiance against an oppressive regime.

This perspective change intensifies the emotional impact, drawing listeners into a more personal confrontation with the themes of control and surveillance.