Sacramento, October 6, 2025
News Summary
Dino Cazares, the guitarist for Fear Factory, has publicly denied claims about his past involvement in the adult film industry while addressing the band’s legal challenges. Cazares remains the only original member as he leads the band on a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of ‘Demanufacture’. He clarified that although he appeared in the background of a few adult videos, he never worked in the industry. Legal proceedings have resulted in Cazares acquiring control of the band’s name amidst ongoing disputes with former bandmates.
Sacramento — Dino Cazares, guitarist for Fear Factory, publicly addressed ongoing rumors about his alleged past involvement in the adult film industry and outlined the band’s current status amid protracted legal disputes that have left him as the only remaining original member.
Key developments
The most immediate developments are twofold: Cazares denied that pornography was ever his career, and he continues to lead Fear Factory on a tour marking the 30th anniversary of the band’s second album, Demanufacture. He has also completed legal actions that resulted in a court-ordered auction of trademark assets, where he acquired a controlling interest in the band name.
Clarification on adult-industry rumors
Cazares said porn was never his career before, during, or after music. He further clarified that he appeared only in the background of a few adult videos, dated women who worked in the adult industry, and does not have porn videos or a porn name. The clarification was provided on social media and reiterated during a public appearance at the Aftershock Festival, where he denied the rumors and was briefly interrupted during the exchange.
Legal battles and trademark outcome
The legal disputes began when former bandmates Raymond Herrera and Christian Olde Wolbers filed lawsuits seeking payment. Herrera and Olde Wolbers sued Cazares and singer Burton C. Bell individually for money they asserted was owed. Cazares won his lawsuit, while Bell lost his and was required to pay a million dollars, leading to his departure from the band.
Bell filed for bankruptcy, which was later contested due to misrepresentation, resulting in the bankruptcy being voided. As mandated by the court, Bell had to liquidate assets, including his stake in the Fear Factory trademark. Cazares successfully bid for Bell’s half of the trademark during the auction held by the court as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings. While Cazares now owns the Fear Factory name, he clarified that he could not simply return the portion to Bell due to legal restrictions. Cazares retained only a 50% share of the earnings to Bell, which influenced Bell’s reluctance to return for tours or album work.
Band lineup and touring
With the legal ownership resolved, Cazares assembled a new lineup for Fear Factory, including Milo Silvestro as the vocalist and Tony Campos on bass. The band is currently on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their second album, Demanufacture, and plans additional shows in 2025 after completing most of their scheduled performances for the year. The band’s most recent studio release, Aggression Continuum, features vocals from Burton C. Bell despite his exit from the band.
Personal context and future plans
Cazares described a difficult last decade marked by health issues and career stress, including hospital visits due to stress-related symptoms. Despite those challenges, he expressed continued passion for music and a commitment to keeping Fear Factory active while exploring new creative possibilities. He also shared personal musical influences, listing five favorite albums that include Slayer’s Reign in Blood and Metallica’s Ride the Lightning.
Impact and next steps
The outcome of the legal proceedings has changed the band’s personnel and business structure. Cazares remains the band’s public face and primary rights holder for the Fear Factory name, but legal constraints and past disputes make a full reunion of the original lineup unlikely in the near term. He confirmed he has no ill feelings toward former bandmates and expressed wishes for their future success. The band will continue touring and may release new material under the current lineup.
Background
Fear Factory rose to prominence in the 1990s as a leading industrial metal band. Internal disputes emerged in recent years over finances, ownership, and creative control, culminating in lawsuits and bankruptcy filings that triggered court-supervised liquidation and auction of trademark interests. The legal resolution left Dino Cazares as the only remaining original member actively carrying the Fear Factory name forward in live performance and business operations.
FAQ
Did Dino Cazares say he had a career in porn?
Cazares said porn was never his career before, during, or after music.
Is Fear Factory currently touring for an anniversary?
Fear Factory is currently on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their second album, “Demanufacture”.
Who is the only remaining original member of Fear Factory?
Cazares is the only remaining original member after a series of legal disputes with former bandmates Raymond Herrera and Christian Olde Wolbers.
What happened with the lawsuits involving former band members?
Herrera and Olde Wolbers sued him and singer Burton C. Bell individually for money owed. Cazares won his lawsuit, while Bell lost his and was required to pay a million dollars, leading to his departure from the band.
Was Burton C. Bell’s bankruptcy upheld?
Bell filed for bankruptcy, which was later contested due to misrepresentation, resulting in the bankruptcy being voided.
Did the court require liquidation of assets?
As mandated by the court, Bell had to liquidate assets, including his stake in the Fear Factory trademark.
Who acquired Bell’s trademark stake?
Cazares successfully bid for Bell’s half of the trademark during the auction held by the court as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings.
Can Cazares return the trademark portion to Bell?
While Cazares now owns the Fear Factory name, he clarified that he could not simply return the portion to Bell due to legal restrictions.
How much of the earnings did Cazares retain for Bell?
Cazares retained only a 50% share of the earnings to Bell, which influenced Bell’s reluctance to return for tours or album work.
Who is in the current Fear Factory lineup?
He has assembled a new lineup for Fear Factory, including Milo Silvestro as the vocalist and Tony Campos on bass.
Are there plans for future shows?
Fear Factory is planning additional shows in 2025 after completing most of their scheduled performances for the year.
| Feature | Current status / detail |
|---|---|
| Rumor clarification | Cazares said porn was never his career before, during, or after music |
| Tour | Fear Factory is currently on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their second album, “Demanufacture” |
| Lineup | New lineup includes Milo Silvestro (vocals) and Tony Campos (bass) |
| Legal outcome | Cazares successfully bid for Bell’s half of the trademark during the auction held by the court as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings |
| Ownership | While Cazares now owns the Fear Factory name, he clarified that he could not simply return the portion to Bell due to legal restrictions |
| Future shows | Fear Factory is planning additional shows in 2025 after completing most of their scheduled performances for the year |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- No Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares Didn’t Do Porn
- Google Search: Dino Cazares Fear Factory
- Dino Cazares: Why Fear Factory Reunion Won’t Happen
- Wikipedia: Fear Factory
- Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares: My 5 Favorite Albums Ever
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fear Factory
- Fear Factory Interview: Dino Cazares on Aggression Continuum
- Google Search: Dino Cazares Aggression Continuum
- Interview: Dino Cazares from Fear Factory
- Google News: Dino Cazares
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