Figure Number Five

Soilwork | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
• ASIN: B00008WJ8E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,899 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Sweden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars don't hold your breath for a better album in 2003..., May 14, 2003

By 

M. Parker (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Figure Number Five (Audio CD)

My god.

In just a few years' time, Soilwork have progressed from a fearfully identical At the Gates clone into the very embodiment of everything I love about metal.

The first two albums were typical Gothenburg death/thrash. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but they didn't really stand out to me as anything groundbreaking. "A Predator's Portrait" came along later, and turned out to be really good. "Natural Born Chaos" followed the year after, and ripped my head off.

Naturally, I was expecting big things from the newest installment of Soilwork fury, and much to my delight, my expectations were blown up by a large chunk of C4.

"Figure Number Five" is simply a monster. It rips, burns, shreds, tears and devours any unsuspecting listener. The riffs charge out with unstoppable force, melding seamlessly into a beautifully-constructed onslaught of keyboards, drums and bass. The vocals, courtesy of "Speed" Strid, do everything from soar melodically over mid-tempo grace to blast-beat anger.

Picking a favorite track would be like selecting a supermodel I'd most like to sleep with - I just can't. "Rejection Role," "Departure Plan," "Overload," "Downfall 24" and "Light the Torch" are the highlights that come to mind first, but really, folks - the whole album barely has a fault. I don't care for the title track as much, but being the least best is hardly a crime for this CD to commit.

Get this album. Now. You owe it to yourself simply because you've read this review and know who Soilwork is. Rock on.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not as hardcore as the previous albums, but, December 12, 2003

By 

TallNerdGuy (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Figure Number Five (Audio CD)

I actually got into Soilwork back in June, but I didn't get this cd until July. So far, I have worked my way backwards with my Soilwork collection, and right now I'm on A Predator's Portrait. But now on to the review for this cd.

Figure Number Five, when I got it, was my favorite album. But just because it was doesn't mean that I hate it now. It's just that after hearing APP and NBC, it seems like it isn't as fast as I remembered. But I'm not a big fan of judging cds from their brethren. This album does have it's high points, though. Rejection Role and Figure Number Five are two heavy tracks, and there are others, too. Overload and Strangler are favorites of mine. Those are just a few of the songs on here that are very good. This is a pretty solid cd all around, and it doesn't get very repetitive.

So if you are looking for a super-heavy cd to bang your head to, you might want to look elsewhere, like A Predator's Portrait. But if you're a fan of Soilwork, you definetly want to pick this one up. It may upset some of you, but it may please some others as well. All I have to say is just give this cd a chance.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well, I Liked It!, March 17, 2005

By 

p_drl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Figure Number Five (Audio CD)

Alright, so it's a bit more accessible than other Soilwork albums... Half of it is sang in clean vocals, and many of the aongs have a verse-chorus structure.... But it's still good. To me, it's just as intense and pounding as "Natural Born Chaos", sometimes even moreso because of its basic drumming patterns and straight-forward sound. Just because mainstream kiddies get a hold of this doesn't give old fans a reason to abandon this band. If you really listen to it, it'll grow on you. After hearing the more technically-inclined "Natural Born Chaos" and listening to this, I was skeptical... But it came to grow on me, I can't get the choruses or rhythms out of my head. Believe me, this is a cd that will be in constant rotation in your stereo or car. If you're a fan of the older material, you most likely won't enjoy this. But if you're willing to let this grow on you, check it out at all costs.

The guitars and drums both are more focused on songwriting this time around. Rhythms are more straight-forward, and it seems like the presence of the band is more powerful, and a lot of the guitars follow a power-chord structure. Speed uses his clean vocals more here, but he still has his signature semi-growl on songs like "Figure Number Five".

1. Rejection Role- One of Soilwork's most-played songs. Has a bold, strong chorus, and some great solos. 5/5

2. Overload- More keyboard-oriented with some industrial samples. Speed's vocals are strong, and a pounding rhythm accents the chorus, which will stick in your head for weeks on end. Another strong song. 5/5

3. Figure Number Five- Shows a return to the ferocity of "Natural Born Chaos". Fast, brutal... Oh yeah! 4/5

4. Strangler- A faster song, and a bit more aggressive. The lyrics are great, and the chorus here is great as well. A typical song, but it has its moments. 4/5

5. Light the Torch- A scorching riff leads to a headbanging passage, and retains an aggressive but catchy feel through the whole song. Another promo single from the album. 5/5

6. Departure Plan- A pseudo-ballad?! Ah well, it comes off great in my opinion! The keys so a great job of backing the melodic guitars and desperate chorus. A nice departure from the other songs, with Speed using his clean vocals coupled with acoustic guitars through the whole song. 5/5

7. Cranking the Sirens- My favorite song! A totally addicting chrous with a crunchy verse. A very strong song, this will stick in your head for weeks. 5/5

8. Brickwalker- Solid rhythm... A normal song, nothing too special, but very catchy with exceptional drum work. 3/5

9. The Mindmaker- Another song that sounds like it could have been on "Natural Born Chaos". A bit more technical than the other singles on the album, and sums up thw album pleasantly. 4/5

10. Distortion Sleep- A slower song with amazing guitar melodies backed by the bleak synths. Amazing lyrics, as well as a very nice chorus. 5/5

11. Downfall 24- This song didn't really do much for me, it sounds a little bit TOO mainstream, although that was the aim, undoubtedly. But a nice chorus is here. 3/5

Some may complain that this albun is "too much of the same song", which is understandable. But I personally think that this is a gem in the field of metal, and shows that Soilwork can experiment in being mainstream but still be true to themselves. Highly reccommended.