Customer Reviews

Figure Number Five

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

the Scandinavian dude once again show that they top the metal world, with Soilwork fifth album "Figure Number Five", they again (after their famous "A Predator's Portrait") combine the heaviness of traditional Scandinavian metal with a more catchy melodic guitar riff and chrous, the trash vocal, powerful guitar riff, fast beat, for sure will be enjoyed by a lot of metal fans, and their influence on the punk/emo scene nowadays is very significant, think bands like Story Of The Year, AFI.... if you like them and want to go for something heavier and more metal-oriented, "Figure Number Five" will be the ablum for you.

Tracks like "Overload", "Departure Plan" showcase their excellent song writing ability, the unique yet catchy heavy guitar riff help solidify the whole songs, melodic and head-bangging, whereas "Figure Number Five", "Strangler", "Light The Torch", "Brickwalker" show the trashier and more progressive side of them with those speedy yet technical rhythm part. The trash vocal and the "Duran Duran, Depeche Mode"-ish melodic vocal merge together very well, and the melodies and quite strong, i'd listen the same CD whole day at the office, and i won't feel boring and annoying.

the impact of Euro band are bigger than ever, we have bands like Mnemic, Opeth, Pain of Salvation, and Soilwork, etc.. Great bands technically and musically, they are at the top of the game, and "Figure Number Five" is no doubt one of the best albums of the genre so far, so check this out.

I really hated the fact that Soilwork changed their style ever since they released Natural Born Chaos. I mean I really loved their older albums. Soilwork can really forget about clean vocal, coz I really don't care about their clean vocals, because what they were doing was great. Also their speedy guitar and drumming was what got me into Soilwork, they also changed that, too... They took great things and changed it to... I really don't have a word to describe it. But I am definately not happy with it as a Soilwork fan, sorry, ex-fan. But then, I like their heavy stuff, I know some of you like lighter stuff. If so I guess this album is for you...

Figure Number Five is definitely a successful album. I was very surprised that many people said these songs weren't catchy. It's amazingly catchy. Have you ever wondered what good vocals, good nu-metal tunes, and good guitars at the same time sounds like? Well, here is the product.
Obviously, Soilwork's roots are very different. The vocal style has changed completely and so has the musicianship. However, this is definitely an album to check out. People who are older Soilwork fans will flame this -.-
If you are into melodic death, Soilwork is one of the best bands out there for the genre. Avoid this album though. If you want to hear really catchy, solid tunes and accept nu-metal to a small extent, get this! If you liked NBC, this is definitely just as good, maybe even better.

Soikwork has a unique style of blending melodic and heavy music. Great riffs, heavy drums. Now my third Soilwork CD, and I'm sure to buy more. I love it!!

I may be the only one that thinks Figure Number Five is better than Stabbing the Drama. In my ears, it still sounds aggressive, yet very melodic. Stabbing the Drama has amazing choruses, but much in between is very weak, and leaves you waiting for a chorus. I really prefer this album over Stabbing the Drama. It's overall faster and just more METAL rather than ROCK (Stabbing the Drama has too many rock elements).

Secondly, the change between Natural Born Chaos and Figure Number Five is huge. This is probably why many people flame this album. But it's not too much of a difference from Stabbing the Drama, although they do differ. Speed's high screams are completely gone in this album and Stabbing the Drama (and even in the new Terror 2000 and Disarmonia Mundi, which he is both vocalists of in that band). Well, if you are a melodic death fan, I highly recommend their older albums, as they are furious and merciless.

I guess everyone has their preferences. Choose yours.

No other band does anything for me quite like this band does. Their sound is just mesmerizing. This CD is good for different reasons than their older stuff. When bands tend to do this sort of thing, it doesn't sound good usually but this band does it well. The solos and riffs and thrash isn't really there anymore but they make up for it all with just so much melody. Especially in the singing. It's so mesmerizing you can't turn away. The only bad song on here is Brickwalker. I heard 2 songs from their upcoming release Stabbing The Drama and it appears theyve still got it and theyre bringing back some of the older aspects of their music as well. Like thrash beats and some longer solos. I can't wait till it comes out. All their CDs from Steelbath up to this one are nothing short of awesome.

SOILWORK is simply the best metal outfit out there!! Hailing from the great Country of Sweden comes THE BEST of metal today. From the absolutely AWESOME voice of Bjorn "Speed" Strid, to the wonderful power and melodic stringwork of Ola and Peter, and Fink on the bass. This album has everything (as does every SOILWORK album for that matter), Power, melody, anger, emotion, vocals (yes Speed can and does SING)and yes the totally PERFECT guitar soloing. The songwriting is simply FABULOUS especially the way they set up their solos. What a great follow up to their chartbusting NATURAL BORN CHAOS album. Look for the new album STABBING THE DRAMA to hit store shelves in the USA on Feb. 28th 2005 and a headlining tour to hit your town this Spring/Summer with Dark Tranquillity opening.
BUY SOILWORK!!! If your taste for metal is pure, tight, professional, crisp and original, then SOILWORK is for you. I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. SOILWORK can and will grow on you like a musical cancer of pleasure that you will enjoy flowing throughout your musical soul!!! BUY IT!!!