Despite their influential career in industrial metal, FEAR FACTORY had a taste of nü-metal during the late 90s and early 00s. Their album Obsolete in 1998 showcased a nü-metal sound, propelling the band to the peak of their commercial success and earning them their only gold record in the United States.
While nü-metal was dominating the charts during that time, FEAR FACTORY guitarist, Dino Cazares, declined an offer to join LIMP BIZKIT as a replacement for Wes Borland, who was estranged from the band at the time.
In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Cazares reflected on his decision to decline the offer to audition for LIMP BIZKIT in 2001. Cazares explained that he turned down the opportunity because he believed that the nu-metal genre had already reached its peak at that time.
He said: “LIMP BIZKIT’s [sound] was already oversaturated and on its way down. I said, ‘If I actually got that gig, it would have been career suicide.’ FEAR FACTORY, we were pretty much at our peak. And it’s funny because, two years later, I was out of FEAR FACTORY.”
