mankind review from culture burn:

Factory 81 is formulaic new metal. And now that I've listened to this album, given it a fair chance, they're about to take the brunt of my hostility towards all the bands from their nu metal camp.

Instead of creating a sound of their own, building a fan base, honing their style and so forth, Factory 81 is skipping that whole foolish process of being a band. Instead they have adopted the stylish heavy sound of the day that sells and that will surely result in air-play on MTV between Mudvayne and Linkin Park videos. Yes folks, all the new metal clichés are here. You get the quiet, whispering vocals reminiscent of Jonathan Davis of Korn and sometimes Maynard Keenan of Tool, followed by the typical nu metal loud guitars and roars, that are about as moving as a tree, all interspersed with psychedelic, "technical" break-downs to display the band's "talent." Sometimes, there's even some pseudo-rap thrown in, which sounds just how Zack De La Rocha sounded in 92. In short, this might've been an impressive album if I hadn't already been all too familiar with Tool, Korn, Deftones, Rage Against the Machine and all the newer hard rock/metal bands that are copping a similar style and seem to be coming out of a factory in large quantities (perhaps factory 81?). After several listens, toe-tapping is about all the response Factory 81 elicits and deserves.

Maybe this album is worthwhile if you're familiar with all the albums from the aforementioned bands and still can't get enough of that sound. Probably not since Factory 81 is predictable, completely uninspired and barely interesting. But damn, they can sound a lot like some of the better bands in this genre - and they're oh so much cuter and younger... To hell with talent and creativity, these guys are hot and edgy, sure to loosen the wallets of disenfranchised 9th graders across the country. Remember... manufactured "Boy Bands" come in all shapes, sizes and sounds.