Factory Theatre – Friday, June 13, 2025
Words: Jai Setright // Photos: Marc K/Nell
Some shows are unforgettable because of the music. Others because of the energy. But every now and then, a show becomes unforgettable because it reminds you why you fell in love with heavy music in the first place.
With Sydney’s own death-thrash veterans MORTALITY setting the stage ablaze, the Factory Theatre was already crackling with energy. And on Friday the 13th, no less, Burton C. Bell’s return to Sydney proved to be one of those rare, unforgettable shows that reminds you why live music still matters.
The voice that helped shape industrial metal’s future walked onstage not just as a legacy artist, but as a renewed and revitalised force. And from the very first note, it was clear: Burton wasn’t just here to play a show — he was here to prove he’s back at 110%.
Before we even got to the setlist, Burton was already living up to his reputation as perhaps the nicest guy in metal — casually mingling with fans before the first chord rang out and hanging around after the encore to share stories, hugs, and selfies. It was personal. It was generous. It was real.
And then came the music.
Opening with the unmistakable bell toll of AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” (a tribute to Aussie soil?), Burton launched straight into “Anti-Droid”, kicking off a career-spanning set that reminded us all just how far his voice and vision have carried heavy music.
What followed was an industrial time machine — a blistering medley of solo tracks, deep cuts, Fear Factory favourites, and rarities fans never thought they’d hear live again. Standouts included the raw emotional weight of “Ghost Heart”, the hypnotic chaos of “Technical Exorcism”, and the crowd eruption for “Replica”, which turned the floor into a sea of shouting voices and banging heads.
There were surprises too: a crushing take on Rammstein’s “Du hast”, “Hanya” (from his City of Fire days), and even a brand new unreleased track, “Cold Lazarus” — a sign that Burton isn’t done evolving just yet. If this is a taste of a new solo album on the horizon, we are absolutely here for it.
By the time the night closed with “Scapegoat”, the crowd was buzzing. Not just because we saw a legend return — but because Burton C. Bell showed us that evolution and legacy can exist in the same breath. This wasn’t a farewell. It was a declaration.
And for Metal on Tap, it was personal too. Our own Marc K/Nell was behind the lens capturing every sweat-drenched moment, and our Editor-in-Chief Jai “Jaimunji” Setright had the honour of sharing a moment post-show with the man himself — a fitting full circle for a night we’ll never forget.
Burton, the door is always open. Australia welcomes you back anytime.
And next time… bring “Shock” too, yeah? (FULL GALLERY BELOW)
🧱 Setlist:
- Anti-Droid
- Dog Day Sunrise (Head of David cover)
- Drive Boy, Shooting (G//Z/R cover)
- Technical Exorcism
- Hanya (City of Fire)
- Descent (Fear Factory)
- Ghost Heart (Ascension of the Watchers)
- Du hast (Rammstein cover)
- Scumgrief (Fear Factory)
- Savages
- Cold Lazarus (Unreleased)
- Replica (Fear Factory)
- Scapegoat (Fear Factory)
Burton C. Bell
Mortality
