Factory 81

Biography

The band had not initially decided on a name until Nathan Wallace wore a shirt bearing a patch which read "Factory 81", and the rest of the band thought that "it sounded good", deciding that this would be the name of their band.

Factory 81 released their only album, Mankind in 1999 on Medea Records; while it did not chart, it was reissued by The Orchard in 2000 and Universal Motown Republic Group on October 3, 2000. In 2001, the album was reissued by the independent record label Mojo Records. Factory 81 also appeared on the compilation Take a Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap, contributing a cover of Cypress Hill's "Insane in the Brain". The compilation peaked at No. 195 on the Billboard 200. In November 2000, Factory 81 toured alongside Mudvayne, Kittie and Apartment 26. The band signed to Jive Records, but left the label in 2002. In 2003, bassist Kevin Lewis and drummer Andy Cyrulnik left the group, prompting Factory 81 to disband.

Musical style and influences

Allmusic described Factory 81's music style as a fusion of "stomp-paced metal" and "'new school' hardcore". Influences cited by the band include genres such as jazz, fusion, and world music, and the band Tool. Factory 81's sound has been compared to bands such as Deftones while vocalist Nathan Wallace's rapping has been compared to that of Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha.

Critical reception

Blabbermouth.net's Borivoj Krgin gave their debut album Mankind a negative review. He praised the album's clean production but referred to Factory 81 as "a faceless, generic nu-metal band who possess neither the songwriting ability nor the ingenuity to compete with the big boys".

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

Demos