Customer Reviews

Hatefiles

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The hardcore FF fan knows about FF. Now for those who are wondering what's on here? I'll explain and make you feel a little bit better on what your buying here.

Tracks 1-3 were recorded during the "Digimortal" sessions, these tracks have really good sound quality to it, Tracks 1-3 are unreleased.

Tracks 4-5 are Machine Debaser (a.k.a Hurt Conveyor) and Invisible Wounds (Alternate Version), nothing to exciting here.

Tracks 6-8 were recorded during the "Obsolete" sessions but these are tracks are just alternate takes, nothing new. These tracks are only alternate because they wanted it to be a little bit more radio friendly.

Tracks 9-10 are were recorded during the "Demanufacture" sessions, but again these tracks are just alternate takes with nothing too different from the original.

Track 11 is Cars (1998), but the difference on this one is that Gary Numan himself sings his own song with FF backing him on the music, the album version has Gary and Burton trading off on vocals.

Track 12 is Dark Bodies-Demo (a.k.a Invisible Wounds) on this one the title is different and the music sounds flat, there's nothing different except the title.

Track 13 is Replica (Live) this live version is a little slow, sounds like FF wasn't in the mood to play, the crowd is loud and awake, but FF isn't, the sound on this one is a little flat.

Tracks 14-18 are the left over remixes from the "Remanufacture" (the Demanufactue Industrial Dance/Techno/Electronica remixes), but these mixes are alright, great headphone music.

Overall this album is okay, the unreleased stuff is a plus, the packaging is nice and use the liner notes to help guide youself through the CD, but as you go down the bottom of the disc, it's stuff we already know. If you going to make a collection of FF, make you sure you include all the bonus tracks from all their digipacks and then some more unreleased tracks, not alternate version with a different bass tone.

First of I would like to say BOA guy from Ohio is a dumbazz.
He says FF is techno band without relizing this was a remix cd, bunch of songs that been B-Sides, remixed or never released.
You wanna hear how Fear Factory really sounds I suggest buy Obsolete or Archetype. Next time please pay attention what you buy and not just pick a cd just by it's cover. DUMB-AZZ

18 Tracks full of songs for everyone's taste. You have a large number of FF songs that have been remixed and 8 songs by Fear Factory that were previously not released. Some would say these 8 songs were B-grade and that's why they weren't released. I would venture that these songs are good on their own. Listen to the CD twice and you'll appreciate what I mean.

Machine Debaser, Replica and Transgenic are the standouts in this album. The remixed songs are good as well but I like the original songs better hence only 4 stars. Overall its a strong album release by the heroes from Fear Factory

To say Roadrunner Records are cashing in or capitalizing on Fear Factory's success is an unfair accusation. 'Hatefiles' compiles some of the rarest Fear Factory tracks out there, some that you would never find if you spent the rest of your life on the computer, hooked into WinMX (or whatever peer-to-peer software you prefer). If anything, this album is a gift to those loyal Fear Factory fans who want everything, and yes, it is going to come at a price. 'Hatefiles' can be divided up into different sections: First off, we have four studio tracks, all recorded for inclusion on various videogames. The highlight of these would be the last song ever recorded by the original Fear Factory line-up (before guitarist Dino Cazares was given the pink slip) by the name of "Terminate," appropriately recorded for inclusion on the 'Terminator: Dawn Of Fate' videogame. "Frequency" and "Demolition Racer" are average at best, but the instrumental "Machine Debaser" is interesting enough, even if it is a little long. The next section is composed of seven remixes that either appeared on imports, soundtracks or never saw the light of day to begin with. "Invisible Wounds (Suture Mix)" (which originally appeared on the 'Resident Evil' soundtrack) and "Resurrection (T.L.A. Big Rock Mix)" are standard radio/promotional mixes; the former is barely distinguishable from the original (unless you've heard it a million times), while the latter beefs up an already epic and powerful song (or maybe I'm just biased, seeing how "Resurrection" is a personal favorite of mine). "Edgecrusher (Urban Assault Mix)" (which can be found on "The Hard + The Heavy" compilation) and "Descent (Falling Deeper Mix)" are utter failures; bad attempts at putting a hip-hop spin on two classic FF tracks. The Colin Richardson mixes of "Body Hammer" and "Zero Signal" are interesting because (as the booklet notes) they are technically the original versions of the songs, as mixed by the 'Demanufacture' producer himself (who has also worked with fellow Roadrunner alumni Machine Head). "Cars (Numanoid Mix)" is probably unwelcome by most fans, as many hated it before, and this time around, Burton's vocals are deleted. But it is interesting to listen to, nontheless. "Dark Bodies (Demo)" and "Replica (Live)" are the only tracks that don't fit into a certain category on here, but they are both excellent cuts. "Dark Bodies" is, I think, superior to the original, and it's always nice to have some live recordings of Fear Factory (although more would have been appreciated -- A live album, there's a thought!). The final section is composed of remixes in the vein of the 'Remanufacture' album. "Cyberdyne" is a remix of "H-K (Hunter Killer)" (notice the 'Terminator' references, folks?) done by Junkie XL, which was left off of the aformentioned album. The rest of the remixes are rather odd, and somewhat unpleasant (aside from the combo remix "Manic Cure") and end the album on a somewhat bad note. However, as a whole, 'Hatefiles' serves as a nice addition to any Fear Factory collection. It renders most of the Fear Factory imports obsolete and delivers some material that is impossible to find. Although it could have been better, it does it's job well. Hopefully Roadrunner digs into the vaults for some of it's other bands. I'd like to see more releases like this for other label legends like Type O Negative or Machine Head (hint hint).

Fear Factory are living legends and they own the niche they created a decade ago - there's no denying it. With what few cds they put out, don't take this for granted and grab it while you can. This cd is meant for the diehard fans; it's like a mini-discography of b-sides that document the development of their patented sound. You hear rough demos, rare remixes, and a couple of new tracks; it's a pretty good mix overall. Even if you don't know FF, this might be a good disc to pick up because it hits every corner of their repitoir. You never know what might strike your fancy on here. There are hellbound crunchy riffs, precision drumming (and I mean VERY precise), and haunting (yet intelligible) vocals. If you like the technical aggression of Spineshank, the crunchy groove of Machine Head, the synthesized effects of Orgy, or anything of that sort, you definitely need to check into this one - it's a pretty damn good cd!

When you peruse through the catalog of a dedicated Kiss fan, you'll find the same songs on, like, 40 albums. "Alive," Alive II," "Alive III," "Double Platinum," "Best of..," "Very Best of..," ("Alive IV"- being mixed as we speak). ...P>Highlighting a "body of work?" Or blatant commercialism, milking every note of every song for every penny its worth? Depends on your perspective. For the die-hard fan, its usually worth the investment.

Fear Factory has mastered the 21st Century version of the whole idea.

Or shall we say, "remastered" it? FF is right up there with Nine Inch Nails when it comes to the idea of making something old digitally-new again.

I'll stop short of calling them "guilty" of the practice though. FF's releases, including the remixes, are all solid techno-industrial-super-grind-aggressive-metal. They created a completely unique sound, featuring speed guitars, bass, and drums in the classic speed-metal sense, accented by Burton Bell's alternating barking/haunted melody vocals, and a few keyboards thrown in. Really, a fantastic, original formula that has the crushing sonic effect of a Mack Truck.

To the dismay of all FF fans, the band broke up following their last studio release due to differences, it seems, between just about everyone in the band. Bell bailed out suddenly. Then Bell was back in, and the gutarist was out. Finally, it all got scrapped and they've gone their separate ways. The latest release, "Hatefiles," is more of an epilogue to Fear Factory than anything else.

Hatefiles is a compilation of unreleased and hard-to-find b-sides and remixes. For some songs, Hatefiles features the third or fourth version of a previously released song. The "new" version of FF's classic cover of Gary Numan's "Cars" is completely unremarkable. Others, like techno-remixes that comprise the final four tracks, barely resemble the originals and are clearly designed for the rave-bunch. One nice touch to the album is the running commentary in the liner-notes giving the story behind most tracks.

The first four tracks are previously unreleased. Originally recorded for video games, this group is highlighted by Terminate, the last song recorded by the orginal lineup and actually completed after their breakup.

The high-point of the remixing is Invisible Wounds: a radio-friendly version of the notable single from "Digimortal." The low point is Edgecrusher: a fan (and band-member) favorite. The bone-splitting signature-original is rendered unrecognizable by a DJ with too much of an ear for hip-hop, too many digital toys, and too much time on his hands.

"Hatefiles" is a nice addition to your FF collection, but not a necessary one. While in the past FF fans have enjoyed the mixes and remixes, savoring the chance to hear old songs made new again, it is obvious that Fear Factory, as they say in the liner notes, has now "emptied the vaults." Think about it: there is a REASON that many of these remixes were originally passed over in favor of other versions.

...

Being a Fan of Fear Factory since Demanufacture, I have always enjoyed their music and was always eager for their next album. Though I was bummed when they split after Digimortal, I was relieved that they got back together(minus Dino)and created an awesome new album, Archetype. But after I got Archetype, I decided to get Hatefiles for the unreleased songs and the other rarities. I can tell you that this album is a mixed bag, some good songs and remixes and some stuff that you really won't care for.
The first four songs are the worthy bunch of this album, especially Terminate and Machine Debaser(which, like Full Metal Jacket, is an instrumental). Some remixes are good, while others fail, I personally enjoyed the remix of Edgecrusher because it was fresh, and it still retained some of it's metal background. One song in particular is worthy on this album is Dark Bodies, the Demo version of Invisible Wounds(Dark Bodies). This song not only has a different type of chorus (he screams the chorus instead of sings it) but the chorus riff is a whole lot different, the riff gets lower and lower, then hitting a couple of chugs, it's definitely a nice version of the song that has grown on me more then the original.
As most would say, this is for the die-hard fans of Fear Factory who would like to have most of their materials(I'm getting Concrete soon). I recommend listening to this first to get a feel.

With Fear Factory's break-up in early 2002 (then reunion about six months later), RoadRunner Records decided to release what they could from the band in order to make as much money as they could before the band either broke up forever, or went to another label. Thus they released two albums, one being Concrete, another being this one, Hatefiles. This album is a compilation of rarities, remixes, and b-sides. The first four tracks being from video games, and the rest being pretty much radio mixes or just straight up club mixes and such. But there's also some early versions of classic Fear Factory songs on here, most you know why they were changed, but one in paticular you wonder why they changed it, namely "Dark Bodies", an early version of "Invisible Wounds". Dark Bodies easily tops Invisible Wounds, and is probably the best song on this album. The highlights of this album are Terminate, which is the most recently-recorded song by the group (it was done for a Terminator game), an alternate mix of Cars which features only Gary Numan vocals, Dark Bodies, and New Breed (Spoetnik Mix) which is extremely quirky, but addicting. This album is basically only for completists.

The absolute best thing about this album is the cd booklet which describes why each of these tracks were included on this album and what makes them unique. A definite must-have for any Fear Factory fan!

Im going to start off by saying that I have been a dedicated FF fan for many years and I own all of their albums and most of the singles. I dont know if they were contractually obligated but this "album" is just a bunch of stuff thrown together as an attempt from Roadrunner Records at making some money. Any hardcore FF fan would already have most of the tracks, and anyone not familiar with them should buy Demanufacture. Pfff....this whole thing just disgusts me. I felt that I had to give them 2 stars because they are Fear Factory. [...]