March 8, 2002 — Roadrunner Records have confirmed the recent rumors that Fear Factory are no longer together as a band.

This past Saturday (03/02), vocalist Burton Bell sat down with the band in their rehearsal studio and announced his intentions of leaving. For whatever reasons, Burton no longer desires to carry on in Fear Factory. And the rest of the band -- guitarist Dino Cazares, bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, drummer Raymond Herrera -- do not want to continue Fear Factory without Burton. So, after 12 years, Fear Factory call it quits.

Fear Factory had been writing new material and recently sent in a demo of five new tracks (just guitar and bass tracks) to their label. They have decided to record at least one last song together. At some point in the coming weeks, they will be recording a new, as yet untitled track for the upcoming "Terminator" video game.

Despite the break up, you have yet to hear the last from Fear Factory. They plan to release their never-heard debut album, Concrete, containing 16 tracks -- half of which were re-recorded for their Roadrunner debut, Soul of a New Machine. The album was recorded in 1991 and was produced by a then unknown Ross Robinson. It was this album that made its way to Roadrunner's A&R dept and earned the band a record deal.

Head of Roadrunner Records A&R Department, Monte Conner, who signed Fear Factory, had this to say:

"It's hard to be sad when you consider that Fear Factory had a solid and successful 10 year run and for that, I am incredibly thankful. How many artists today even make it to a second album? All good things come to an end and in this case, it is a very natural thing to happen. It's nice to know that they went out on a high after making an awesome record -- Digimortal. As a consolation to the most diehard fans, we've got a few interesting things in the vaults that we will be releasing in the future. I want to thank Dino, Burton, Christian and Raymond for making some incredible records for Roadrunner and helping put this label on the map. I will forever be proud of these records and thrilled that I was a part of them. I wish all four of them the best in their future musical endeavors, and hope Roadrunner can be a part of some of them. FF - R.I.P."

Roadrunner Records would like to thank Fear Factory for their 10-year relationship, the band's impressive accomplishments. They wish the guys all the best.