Up until I heard that album, Heavy Metal was something I just wasn't into! It was around, it was in the background, it was there...but always in the distance. Then I heard the song Replica!!! It blew my mind, it was heavy as shit but also melodic. The music was brutal but also strangely beautiful. How is this possible I thought...what is the trickery...is that keyboards I can hear???? Yes, Demanufactue is still the perfect example of using keyboards on an album full of heavy crushing guitars, pounding drums, throbbing bass lines and vocals that would rip you to pieces!! Ah yes, the vocals...Burton C Bell could roar his way to hell and back then serenade you up to heaven...again, something which has rarely been pulled off (Devin Townsend equalling Burton's power). Then there was the collision of metallic coldness and almost robotic goings on mixed in as well as amazing lyrics and artwork...this was a band at its absolute peak in every aspect!!! From start to finish, it is an absolute masterpiece and still sounds as fresh and powerful as it reaches the grand old age of 20! It is the one album that turned me into a fan of Heavy Metal and opened up my world of music for the better...and heavier!!
But why, you ask, am I barking on about this now? Well, 2 days ago, 2 tickets were ordered and paid for to see the mighty Fear Factory in December (this will be the 7th time seeing them) where they will play the entire album in full...THE ENTIRE FUCKING ALBUM!!!! So, 20 years ago, my life was changed because an album managed to re-define my entire taste in music...now, 20 years later, I get to experience that album played live in full by one of my all time favourite bands. That is some special shit!!!
