In a recent interview for the podcast Life Is PeachyDino Cazares, guitarist of Fear Factory, returned to the internal conflicts that marked the history of the group, explaining why a reunion of the classic formation now seems impossible. Cazares notably discussed the departure of former singer Burton C. Bell in 2020, motivated by legal disputes, financial debts, as well as personal and professional tensions.
A complex legal and financial liability
Dino Cazares described the legal proceedings that affected the stability of Fear Factory. Along with Burton C. Bell, they both faced legal actions initiated by former members Christian Olde Wolbers (bass) and Raymond Herrera (drums), relating to financial debts. If Cazares emerged victorious in his trial, Bell, for his part, lost, finding himself forced to repay nearly a million dollars. Bell attempted to file for bankruptcy, but errors in its filing led to its cancellation. “They seized all of Burton’s assets to offset his debts, which includes everything he owns,” Cazares explained, specifying that this situation made it impossible for Bell to recover his shares in Fear Factory.
As a result, a portion of Fear Factory’s revenue is now being redirected to former members to pay off Bell’s debts, posing a further obstacle to any future collaboration with him.
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A reunion of classical training unlikely
Despite continued fan interest in a reunion of the original lineup, Cazares expressed skepticism: “Sure, it would be easy for the four of us to end up together, but it wouldn’t be easy to do business together.” According to him, creative differences and disagreements over the group’s management make such a reunion unrealistic. “Someone should steer this ship, and it would be me. It wouldn’t work otherwise,” he added.
Cazares also reaffirmed his desire to continue to bring the spirit of Fear Factory to life with a new team. “Fear Factory fans want to hear the songs as they are on the album, and we’re going to give them the best we can.” The current band now includes Milo Silvestro on vocals, Tony Campos on bass, and Pete Webber on drums, a lineup that debuted in May 2023 at a concert in West Hollywood.
