The Industrialist is a conceptual record based around a short fiction written by Bell; lyrics to the album's ten songs divulge the narrative as discussed recently by Bell with Decibel Magazine. The album is 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 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. Sirius 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."