The Industrialist is a conceptual record based around a story written by vocalist Burton C. Bell. Lyrics to the album's ten songs divulge the narrative as discussed recently by Bell with Decibel Magazine.

The album's artwork was created by American designer Anthony Clarkson with additional direction from the band. The album will be available on three formats – standard CD, a limited edition deluxe digi-book (featuring two additional songs), and 180-gram double vinyl.

Bell notes, "the protagonist (The Industrialist) is the incarnation of all industries in the form of an automaton. The mechanical, technological, and scientific advances through the industrial age led to the creation of The Industrialist. In the story, the automaton becomes sentient as it collects memories with each passing day. Through observation and learning, it gains the will to exist. What was meant to help man, will eventually be man's demise."

The Industrialist again pairs Fear Factory with producer Rhys Fulber. Mixed by Greg Reely (Paradise Lost/Skinny Puppy), with additional tracking by Logan Mader (Gojira/Divine Heresy), the album is the second written by Bell and guitarist Dino Cazares since reuniting in 2009 after a seven year split. Cazares says, "collaborating with Burton again on the new album was like magic. Everything just fell into place naturally. It felt good to recapture the true sound of Fear Factory, taking it back to where it all started while raising it to new levels." Regarding Fulber Cazares notes, "Rhys has been our secret member," shares Cazares. "He is the one producer who has been able to understand what we have been trying to accomplish from the beginning and has opened our eyes to new things without sacrificing our original sound. His production and keyboard talents has made Fear Factory stand out amongst the many bands of our genre."

The Industrialist follows the 2010 release of Mechanize. Widely regarded, the album was the first release from Fear Factory in six years. Mechanize debuted on Billboard's Top 100 album chart week of release and topped CMJ's Loud Rock radio chart as programmers embraced the band's triumphant return. Sirus XM and Headbangers Ball's host Jose Mangin noted, "after Mechanize dominated 2010 as Liquid Metal's Album Of The Year, North America is chompin' at the bit to get an ear full of new Fear Factory. I have no doubt that Fear Factory are going to kick our collective asses in 2012."