Fear Factory Live 2023 - Review
In 2023, Fear Factory LIVE has relocated to a new establishment at the heart of Preston, Lancashire. Upon entry, visitors find themselves in a sophisticated bar area, offering a range of beverages and horror-inspired cocktails. We had a few of these to build up our courage before we entered into our first maze.
This year presented us with two mazes, commencing with "Black Void." Ascending the stairs, we received our briefing and donned our overalls, bracing ourselves for entry into the daunting clinic. We were met by a receptionist whose eerie demeanour immediately set us on edge, her disconcerting presence a prelude to the terrors ahead. She detailed the backstory of Preston in 1988, where Dr. Alexander Westwood founded the Neuromaxx Corporation, vowing to unlock the latent capabilities of the human psyche.
Our exploration of the Neuromaxx clinic plunged us into one of the most engaging, narrative-driven horror attractions we've encountered. Interaction was a constant feature, with activities ranging from ingesting pills to unearthing clues and engaging in a computer game. The excellent theming throughout transported us into the reality of a functioning clinic.
While jump scares are often expected in such mazes, they were limited within Black Void. However this didn't diminish the experience. Instead, the narrative immersion was forefront, with the actors providing compelling performances to increase the tension. The few jump scares present, caught us off guard every time and with its mix of escape room and traditional scare attraction elements, Black Void was an astounding experience
We then confronted 'Seance,' a captivating, story-led ordeal that seated us around a banquet table in a decrepit basement. We absorbed the chilling tale of Frau Krig, a solitary elderly lady once revered in Preston's community. A sinister mystery unfolded, revealing that with each child's inexplicable disappearance, a new doll, unsettlingly resembling the vanished youngster, materialised in Frau Krig's shop.
As the narrative intensified, we experienced paranormal phenomena (which we daren't spoil n this review) and Frau Krig's spectre manifested itself, leading up to a chilling climax. This experience was genuinely impactful, with especially strong performances from the actors involved.
Post-maze, the entertainment persisted, featuring fire breathers, street theatre performers, and an impressive selection of horror-themed cocktails.
While both mazes were remarkable in their own right, Black Void was the standout for us. Its impact lingered with us days later, which is a testament to the profound effect it had. The evident thought and meticulous effort invested across all aspects of this event meant that, in our view, Fear Factory LIVE has surpassed expectations this year, delivering an utterly overwhelming experience.
This year presented us with two mazes, commencing with "Black Void." Ascending the stairs, we received our briefing and donned our overalls, bracing ourselves for entry into the daunting clinic. We were met by a receptionist whose eerie demeanour immediately set us on edge, her disconcerting presence a prelude to the terrors ahead. She detailed the backstory of Preston in 1988, where Dr. Alexander Westwood founded the Neuromaxx Corporation, vowing to unlock the latent capabilities of the human psyche.
Our exploration of the Neuromaxx clinic plunged us into one of the most engaging, narrative-driven horror attractions we've encountered. Interaction was a constant feature, with activities ranging from ingesting pills to unearthing clues and engaging in a computer game. The excellent theming throughout transported us into the reality of a functioning clinic.
While jump scares are often expected in such mazes, they were limited within Black Void. However this didn't diminish the experience. Instead, the narrative immersion was forefront, with the actors providing compelling performances to increase the tension. The few jump scares present, caught us off guard every time and with its mix of escape room and traditional scare attraction elements, Black Void was an astounding experience
We then confronted 'Seance,' a captivating, story-led ordeal that seated us around a banquet table in a decrepit basement. We absorbed the chilling tale of Frau Krig, a solitary elderly lady once revered in Preston's community. A sinister mystery unfolded, revealing that with each child's inexplicable disappearance, a new doll, unsettlingly resembling the vanished youngster, materialised in Frau Krig's shop.
As the narrative intensified, we experienced paranormal phenomena (which we daren't spoil n this review) and Frau Krig's spectre manifested itself, leading up to a chilling climax. This experience was genuinely impactful, with especially strong performances from the actors involved.
Post-maze, the entertainment persisted, featuring fire breathers, street theatre performers, and an impressive selection of horror-themed cocktails.
While both mazes were remarkable in their own right, Black Void was the standout for us. Its impact lingered with us days later, which is a testament to the profound effect it had. The evident thought and meticulous effort invested across all aspects of this event meant that, in our view, Fear Factory LIVE has surpassed expectations this year, delivering an utterly overwhelming experience.
Fear Factory Live 2022 - Review
After a successful opening year, Fear Factory is back in a brand new location with two brand new experiences. The venue is an old bakery in Darwen near Blackburn and has a suitably creepy vibe (as well as a slight whiff of yeast!) Once in the building there is a bar area with music, and the two mazes are reachable by staircases at the back of the venue.
Our first experience was Hush Net which started out like a family friendly pumpkin trail. Greeted by a very lively actor we were tasked with heading into the family maze to count skeletons. The whole vibe felt a bit off kilter and soon after a bit of distraction (including moving walls to leave us going round in circles) and an alleged return to the gift shop, the true nature of this attraction was finally revealed. It's really difficult to say too much without giving things away but the back half of this attraction was extremely dark and gritty with some lively actors throughout.
The next attraction was a bit more theatrical and played on the history of the building as we were invited to tour the bread making facilities at the factory. Accused of being spies for a rival bread maker, we were hooded in "flour bags" and told not to peek as we followed a rope around the attraction.
We have often made it clear that hooded mazes only work well when you actually believe what you hear in the background. We wont mention where, but one attraction had a hooded maze with the staff just wearing jeans and t shirts (that we could see from outside!) Fortunately due to the light nature of these white sacks we could just make out the actors around us and could see they were all in bakers whites which just helped the immersiveness.
Along the route we experienced different sensations including touch, and smell and the actors were doing so much more than just grunting in our ears. This really was refreshing take on a hooded maze and we enjoyed the experience throughout.
Unfortunately, on the opening night we visited - the venue had just been hit by an over zealous fire and health and safety "expert" who quite frankly had places some ridiculous demands on a new attraction. Many things that have operated at other events safely were removed or replaced and so the team were apologetic that we hadn't relieved the full planned experience. This should be back in place for when they next open. As it was - we enjoyed both mazes for what they had already achieved and genuinely look forward to what else they come up with for this new venue.
Our first experience was Hush Net which started out like a family friendly pumpkin trail. Greeted by a very lively actor we were tasked with heading into the family maze to count skeletons. The whole vibe felt a bit off kilter and soon after a bit of distraction (including moving walls to leave us going round in circles) and an alleged return to the gift shop, the true nature of this attraction was finally revealed. It's really difficult to say too much without giving things away but the back half of this attraction was extremely dark and gritty with some lively actors throughout.
The next attraction was a bit more theatrical and played on the history of the building as we were invited to tour the bread making facilities at the factory. Accused of being spies for a rival bread maker, we were hooded in "flour bags" and told not to peek as we followed a rope around the attraction.
We have often made it clear that hooded mazes only work well when you actually believe what you hear in the background. We wont mention where, but one attraction had a hooded maze with the staff just wearing jeans and t shirts (that we could see from outside!) Fortunately due to the light nature of these white sacks we could just make out the actors around us and could see they were all in bakers whites which just helped the immersiveness.
Along the route we experienced different sensations including touch, and smell and the actors were doing so much more than just grunting in our ears. This really was refreshing take on a hooded maze and we enjoyed the experience throughout.
Unfortunately, on the opening night we visited - the venue had just been hit by an over zealous fire and health and safety "expert" who quite frankly had places some ridiculous demands on a new attraction. Many things that have operated at other events safely were removed or replaced and so the team were apologetic that we hadn't relieved the full planned experience. This should be back in place for when they next open. As it was - we enjoyed both mazes for what they had already achieved and genuinely look forward to what else they come up with for this new venue.
Fear Factory Live 2021 - Review
Fear Factor Live is a brand new scare attraction experience set in the historic Ena Mill in Atherton, nr Manchester.
Upon first arrival in the site, the impressive mill building loomed ominously over the dark car park and apart from a few bright lights in a fourth floor window, the building sat dark and desolate. Once up the stairs, a communal waiting area hosts a pizza kitchen and a well stocked bar which has a large choice of horror themed cocktails. Ominously in two opposing corners of the bar, 2 large entry and exit doors lead through to the attraction.
Once it was our turn to enter we were led into a theatrical intro scene, that started off pleasant enough but soon took a turn for the worse. We don't want to spoil anything, but there is a clever trick in this room that caught all of us by surprise!
The maze itself after then, was far more theatrical than we were expecting, with full on set pieces and scenes played out before us. As we descended deeper into the factory, it was clear that something freaky was afoot, and the mix of characters and effects along the way were both off-putting and fascinating. The route involved quite a few scenes where we were instructed to stop and watch the action, and it is here where the attention to detail and acting came to a fore.
Often in scare mazes - it is be easy to just bloody up some actors and get them to yell meaningless phrases such as "help me" or "get out", but not at Fear Factory Live. Each actor and character had a reason for being there, as well as a story to add to the overall experience. This is where it helped that the team had employed more mature actors, as their roles were definitely more performance led than a standard scare actor.
Not to say that there weren't scares as well! Fear Factory Live perfectly blended the two to give a very unique and fun experience that had us laughing, screaming and (even sometimes) running for our lives!
Another key thing to mention is that this show has a stunt director and several scenes were far more physical than anything we are used to seeing in a standard scare attraction. Again - we don't want to spoil these scenes but they looked very realistic indeed.
Being opening night, there were a couple of simple effects missing which the team have said they will add for the main run. But for a first attempt from this new production company - we cant praise them enough for doing something so different and unique that fits in so closely with the history of the building. It is clear that a lot of work went into the design and build of this show, and we cant wait to see what the team come up with in future years.
Upon first arrival in the site, the impressive mill building loomed ominously over the dark car park and apart from a few bright lights in a fourth floor window, the building sat dark and desolate. Once up the stairs, a communal waiting area hosts a pizza kitchen and a well stocked bar which has a large choice of horror themed cocktails. Ominously in two opposing corners of the bar, 2 large entry and exit doors lead through to the attraction.
Once it was our turn to enter we were led into a theatrical intro scene, that started off pleasant enough but soon took a turn for the worse. We don't want to spoil anything, but there is a clever trick in this room that caught all of us by surprise!
The maze itself after then, was far more theatrical than we were expecting, with full on set pieces and scenes played out before us. As we descended deeper into the factory, it was clear that something freaky was afoot, and the mix of characters and effects along the way were both off-putting and fascinating. The route involved quite a few scenes where we were instructed to stop and watch the action, and it is here where the attention to detail and acting came to a fore.
Often in scare mazes - it is be easy to just bloody up some actors and get them to yell meaningless phrases such as "help me" or "get out", but not at Fear Factory Live. Each actor and character had a reason for being there, as well as a story to add to the overall experience. This is where it helped that the team had employed more mature actors, as their roles were definitely more performance led than a standard scare actor.
Not to say that there weren't scares as well! Fear Factory Live perfectly blended the two to give a very unique and fun experience that had us laughing, screaming and (even sometimes) running for our lives!
Another key thing to mention is that this show has a stunt director and several scenes were far more physical than anything we are used to seeing in a standard scare attraction. Again - we don't want to spoil these scenes but they looked very realistic indeed.
Being opening night, there were a couple of simple effects missing which the team have said they will add for the main run. But for a first attempt from this new production company - we cant praise them enough for doing something so different and unique that fits in so closely with the history of the building. It is clear that a lot of work went into the design and build of this show, and we cant wait to see what the team come up with in future years.
Our first look video review:
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Very scary - We visited fear factory live tonight we had a brilliant time the staff are really lovely and are brilliant hosts the pizzas were very nice indeed and so were the cocktails too. The maze was fab scary and also funny the actors were all extremely good and nice that we got a picture at the end too that was a nice gesture as well as a complementary shot, we will definitely visit again it's 5 ***** from us girls 😁😁😁
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