Burton C. bell: A Solo Journey Through Sound and Influence
Table of Contents
- 1. Burton C. bell: A Solo Journey Through Sound and Influence
- 2. Burton C. Bell: Breaking free with “Anti-Droid” and Embracing Solo Flight
- 3. A Legacy of Innovation and Influence
- 4. Breaking Free: The ”Anti-Droid” Manifesto
- 5. A Future Forged in Sound
- 6. Burton C. bell Embraces Solo Career, Plans To Perform Fear Factory Classics
- 7. From Fear factory to Solo Artist: A Journey of Reinvention
- 8. A Setlist Spanning Three Decades
- 9. Moving Forward With Harmony
- 10. Burton C. Bell Reflects on Departure from FEAR FACTORY and the Hardships of Being an Artist
- 11. Leaving FEAR FACTORY: A Difficult But Necessary Decision
- 12. The Ups and Downs of ”Aggression Continuum”
- 13. Embracing the challenges of Artistic Life
- 14. Moving Forward with a Positive Mindset
- 15. Burton C. Bell: A New Chapter After Fear Factory
- 16. Exploring New Artistic Avenues
- 17. Ascension of the Watchers: A New Musical Chapter
- 18. How has Burton C. Bell’s solo career allowed him to achieve greater creative freedom compared to his time with Fear Factory?
- 19. A New Chapter: Solo Career and Creative Freedom
- 20. A Setlist That Spans a Legacy
- 21. Moving Forward with Positivity and Purpose
- 22. Conclusion
Former FEAR FACTORY frontman Burton C. Bell is embarking on a new musical chapter, blending his diverse influences with a fresh, contemporary sound. After years of fronting prosperous metal acts like FEAR FACTORY and ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS, Bell is releasing music under his own name, offering fans a glimpse into his extensive musical evolution.
His solo career kicked off with a bang in 2024, marked by the release of his debut single, “Anti-Droid” and a highly-anticipated live debut at Los Angeles venue 1720. Bell described the show as a “historic event,” promising a mix of “new songs and classics spanning my career.”
The show featured a stellar lineup, including guitarist Henrik Linde (THE VITALS, DREN), drummer Ryan “junior” Kittlitz (ALL HAIL THE YETI, THE ACID HELPS), bassist Tony Baumeister (ÆGES), and multi-instrumentalist Stewart Cararas.
Instead of releasing a full album upfront, Bell has embraced a strategic, single-by-single rollout. He explained his approach to Knotfest’s “Nu Pod” podcast, drawing parallels with the hip-hop industry. “I do have a record’s worth of music,” he admitted, “But I’m adopting the hip-hop strategy where instead of coming up, releasing a single and then the whole album comes out a couple of weeks later… I learned watching hip-hop artists… they would just release a single at a time, keep that momentum, keep that spotlight on them.”
Bell’s reasoning? “In this day and age, the short attention span of the masses is very apparent,” he remarked. “less is more.”
Staying true to his word, Bell followed “Anti-Droid” with the intense “Technical Exorcism” in August 2024, accompanied by a music video directed by Don Pancho Films.He also teased details about his next single: a “heavy”, “groovy” and “dark” track featuring guest appearances by Paul Ferguson and Norman Westberg, guitarist for the influential band SWANS.
Bell’s admiration for SWANS is evident, noting ”It’s one of my favorite bands of all time and it’s a band that influenced not just me but NEUROSIS—a lot of bands—GODFLESH.”
The future looks luminous for Bell’s solo endeavor. He has confirmed plans for upcoming live performances, offering a chance for fans to experience his musical retrospective firsthand. “It’s gonna be a showcase. It’s gonna be in L.A., and I have a band together. They’re already working on the set. It’s a retrospection, so I plan to play four new songs, some deep-cut FEAR FACTORY, some ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS, some G/Z/R, some CITY OF FIRE.”
With this exciting fusion of past influences and exciting new material, burton C. Bell’s solo journey promises to be a compelling chapter in his illustrious musical career.
Burton C. Bell: Breaking free with “Anti-Droid” and Embracing Solo Flight
Burton C. Bell, the iconic vocalist synonymous with the groundbreaking industrial metal band fear Factory, has embarked on a new chapter in his illustrious career with the release of his powerful solo debut, “Anti-Droid.”
A Legacy of Innovation and Influence
Bell’s impact on the metal landscape is undeniable. As the co-creator of Fear Factory, he helped define a new sound, fusing crushing heaviness with melodic sensibilities and introspective lyrics. Classic albums like “Demanufacture” (1995) and the RIAA gold-certified “Obsolete” (1998) cemented Fear Factory’s status as genre icons, while tracks like “Replica,” “Linchpin,” and “Edgecrusher” continue to resonate with metal fans worldwide.
throughout his career, Bell’s creative spirit has extended beyond Fear Factory. He’s collaborated with an array of artists, from industrial legend al Jourgensen and his band Ministry to rock icons like black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler and Journey’s Deen Castronovo. He’s also lent his vocals to projects like Ascension of the Watchers and City of Fire, showcasing his versatility as a vocalist and songwriter.
Breaking Free: The ”Anti-Droid” Manifesto
In ”Anti-Droid,” Bell channels his determination for artistic autonomy. “I’m starting my solo career. I’m working with different producers and co-songwriters, making music that I love, with full control of the music and creative direction,” he declared upon the song’s release.
The song’s message is crystal clear: ”I’d rather be dead than a slave to the factory,” Bell sings in the chorus. This powerful declaration reflects his desire to break free from industry constraints and forge his own path. As bell explains, “It’s a statement about breaking free. Breaking the bonds of what I felt was a prison in many ways.Not just financially or contractually but creatively,as well. I felt constrained to this format we’d written ourselves into…Being a slave to an established way of thinking is not really freedom. I am moving forward.”
A Future Forged in Sound
Like his powerful cover of Rammstein’s “Du Hast” in 2023, Bell’s solo work promises to embrace the best of hard rock, metal, and industrial’s rich history while pushing creative boundaries.”Anti-Droid” is a compelling first step in Bell’s solo journey, a testament to his enduring passion for music and his unwavering commitment to artistic freedom.
Burton C. bell Embraces Solo Career, Plans To Perform Fear Factory Classics
Legendary vocalist Burton C. Bell is gearing up for a powerful return to the stage with a solo career that promises to encompass his rich musical history.
From Fear factory to Solo Artist: A Journey of Reinvention
Bell, best known for his tenure as the frontman of industrial metal pioneers Fear Factory, stepped away from the band in 2020, citing a lack of trust and respect with founding guitarist Dino Cazares. since then, Bell has been relatively quiet on the musical front, but the fire within him has never extinguished.
In a recent interview with the “Home Is Where The Dark is” podcast, Bell revealed his unwavering passion for music and performing. “I’ve had a lot of incredible ups in my career, a lot of incredible high points. I’ve had some devastatingly low points. But for me, this is all I wanna do,” Bell shared.
A Setlist Spanning Three Decades
Fans can expect a setlist that spans Bell’s illustrious career,encompassing not only Fear Factory classics but also songs from his time with Ascension of the Watchers,GZR,City of Fire,Ministry,and Hateface. Bell has expressed his pride in the vast majority of his musical output, stating, “People will hear those again. When I get back on the road, I’ll be playing… I’m proud of 99 percent of the songs we did [with] Fear Factory,” he said. “ Not every song is a winner, but I’m proud of all the work I did with Fear Factory, THE WATCHERS, GZR, CITY OF FIRE, MINISTRY, HATEFACE. There’s all these bands I’ve been part of. So when I go on the road, I will be playing music from all of these bands. Obviously, a lot from Fear Factory, ’cause I got 30 years of that.”
Moving Forward With Harmony
While Fear Factory has moved forward with a new vocalist, Bell remains unaffected by the change. In a conversation with the “Talk Toomey” podcast, he stated, “It doesn’t affect me at all.To be honest,I haven’t been this happy in a long time. More power to them,but I’m just moving forward in my own life,my own career,and I’m just trying to make a name for myself.”
Bell acknowledges the important role Fear Factory played in his career but emphasizes his focus on his own artistic journey.“FEAR FACTORY, it’s what I’m known for,” Bell explained. “And the 30 years I had with FEAR FACTORY were some of the proudest moments of my career. And everything I’ve ever done in FEAR FACTORY I’m very…”
Burton C. Bell Reflects on Departure from FEAR FACTORY and the Hardships of Being an Artist
Former FEAR FACTORY frontman Burton C. Bell recently opened up about his decision to leave the band in 2020,citing a decade of legal battles and tension as the primary reason.Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his exit, Bell maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of moving forward and focusing on new creative endeavors.
Leaving FEAR FACTORY: A Difficult But Necessary Decision
Bell described stepping away from FEAR FACTORY as “not an easy decision by any means.” He elaborated on the years leading up to his departure,referencing the “lawsuits” and “acrimony” that ultimately took their toll.
“I just had to step away to realize,you know,they can take all this stuff from me — they can take the money,they can take the royalties,they can take the trademark away from me,” Bell said. “And I realized that didn’t define me. They can take that,but I’m still Burton C. bell, motherfucker, and whatever I have, they can’t take.”
The Ups and Downs of ”Aggression Continuum”
Bell also discussed FEAR FACTORY’s latest album, “Aggression Continuum,” a project that was recorded in 2017 but wasn’t released until June 2021. while expressing happiness that the record finally saw the light of day, Bell admitted that further work on the album was done without his input after its completion.
“When I finished the record [in 2017], the record was done and agreed upon, and then further work was done without my say,” he shared.
Though slightly hesitant, Bell acknowledged the album’s strong production, stating, “I guess, the mix on ‘Aggression Continuum’ is great.”
Bell highlighted “Collapse” and the title track “Monolith” as standout songs from the album.
Embracing the challenges of Artistic Life
Bell’s reflections extend beyond his time with FEAR FACTORY. He candidly described the inherent hardships faced by many artists, often encountering exploitative contracts, questionable management, and, in some cases, a tendency toward self-destructive behaviour.
“I knew a long time ago I wanted to be an artist — way before I was in FEAR FACTORY,” Bell shared. “When I was in high school, I was, like, ‘I wanna be an artist.’ To be an artist, you’ve gotta suffer. You’ve gotta understand that people wanna take from you the entire time — what you create they wanna make money off of and take it away from you and just give you a pittance.”
Despite the challenges, Bell maintains an optimistic outlook, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the positive aspects of his career. ”Whatever negativity has happened in the past with FEAR FACTORY doesn’t even hold up to the amount of positivity that has happened,” he stated. “If you think about the negative, it can weigh you down so much, but it’s not really that much in comparison to what the band achieved, what we created, what we provided to the music world, and for that I’m proud and very happy.”
Moving Forward with a Positive Mindset
Bell firmly believes in leaving the past behind and focusing on new possibilities. “No one likes to talk to a bitter person at all,” he said. “Me for one. It’s, like, ‘Man, just get over it and just move on.’ ‘Cause holding on to the past doesn’t serve me anything, it doesn’t serve anybody else anything. move on and show ’em what you can do from that point forward.”
Burton C. Bell: A New Chapter After Fear Factory
After three decades as the vocalist for the influential industrial metal band Fear Factory, Burton C. Bell embarked on a new creative journey in 2020. His departure from the band, which he described as a long time coming, followed years of legal battles over the rights to the Fear Factory name.
“It’s been on my mind for a while,” Bell told Kerrang! magazine. “These lawsuits just drained me. The egos. The greed. Not just from bandmembers, but from the attorneys involved. I just lost my love for it.
Bell was candid about the toll the legal disputes took on his passion for the band. “With Fear Factory, it’s just constantly been, like, ‘What?!’ You can only take so much. I felt like 30 years was a good run. Those albums I’ve done with Fear Factory will always be out there. I’ll always be part of that. I just felt like it was time to move forward.”
Exploring New Artistic Avenues
Bell’s creative spirit didn’t fade with his departure from Fear Factory. he dived headfirst into photography, unveiling his debut exhibition, “Paradise Found,” in 2022 at the Vincent Castiglia Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The exhibition showcased 20 original, hauntingly beautiful photographs of abandoned industrial buildings, captured in darkness and fog. Bell’s unique approach to printing his images on aluminum using the dye sublimation process, which he calls “celluloid impressionism,” added a striking dimension to his work. “Paradise Found” revealed bell’s fascination with industrial landscapes and his ability to capture their desolate beauty.
Ascension of the Watchers: A New Musical Chapter
Alongside his photographic work, Bell continued to explore his musical talents with his project Ascension of the Watchers. The project’s second full-length album,”Apocrypha,” was released in October 2020 via Dissonance Productions.
Bell’s willingness to embrace new artistic avenues and evolve his creative expression demonstrates a remarkable artistic evolution. While his contributions to fear Factory will always be remembered, Bell’s future endeavors promise to be equally captivating and thought-provoking.
How has Burton C. Bell’s solo career allowed him to achieve greater creative freedom compared to his time with Fear Factory?
Wn. But if you focus on the positive, it can lift you up and propel you forward.”
A New Chapter: Solo Career and Creative Freedom
Burton C. Bell’s decision to embark on a solo career marks a meaningful turning point in his artistic journey.After decades of collaboration and compromise, Bell is now embracing full creative control, a luxury he felt was often lacking during his time with Fear Factory.His debut solo single, “Anti-Droid,” serves as a bold declaration of independence, both musically and personally. The song’s lyrics, particularly the line “I’d rather be dead than a slave to the factory,” encapsulate Bell’s desire to break free from the constraints of the music industry and reclaim his artistic identity.
Bell’s solo work promises to be a fusion of his diverse influences, blending elements of hard rock, metal, and industrial music.His 2023 cover of Rammstein’s “du Hast” showcased his ability to reinterpret classic tracks while infusing them with his unique style. Fans can expect a similar approach in his original material,as Bell aims to honor the legacy of his past while pushing the boundaries of his creativity.
A Setlist That Spans a Legacy
as Bell prepares to hit the road as a solo artist, he plans to deliver a setlist that reflects his extensive career. From Fear factory classics to tracks from his work with Ascension of the Watchers, GZR, City of Fire, Ministry, and hateface, bell’s performances will be a festivity of his musical journey. He has expressed pride in the vast majority of his output, acknowledging that while not every song is a masterpiece, each one represents a chapter in his evolution as an artist.
Bell’s decision to include Fear Factory material in his solo shows is a testament to his enduring connection to the band’s legacy. Despite the acrimonious split, he remains proud of the music they created together and recognizes the impact it had on fans and the genre as a whole. However, Bell is also eager to showcase his work outside of Fear Factory, highlighting the breadth of his talent and the diversity of his artistic contributions.
Moving Forward with Positivity and Purpose
While Fear Factory has continued without him, Bell remains focused on his own path. He has expressed a sense of liberation and happiness in his new role as a solo artist, free from the legal battles and interpersonal conflicts that marred his final years with the band. Bell’s resilience and determination to move forward serve as an inspiration to fans and fellow artists alike.
In reflecting on his career, bell acknowledges the challenges of being an artist in an industry that often prioritizes profit over creativity. Yet, he remains committed to his craft, driven by a passion for music and a desire to create on his own terms. As he embarks on this new chapter, Burton C. Bell is poised to redefine his legacy, proving that true artistic freedom is worth fighting for.
Conclusion
Burton C.bell’s solo career represents more than just a new musical endeavor—it is indeed a declaration of independence, a reclaiming of his artistic identity, and a testament to his enduring passion for music. With a setlist that spans his illustrious career and a commitment to creative freedom, Bell is ready to forge a new path, one that honors his past while embracing the limitless possibilities of the future.As he takes the stage once again, fans can expect a powerful and deeply personal performance from an artist who has truly found his voice.