SOILWORK „Figure Number Five”

I didn't get the chance to hear a full length Soilwork album until 2001's “A predator's portrait”. It didn't spend much time in my CD player as not enough of the songs held my attention. Last years “natural born chaos” also passed me by, but I heard an MP3 of a track off “Figure number five” and decided to buy it. “So what's it like”? I hear you all cry.
Well, it's not that bad, but as with “A predator's portrait”, not every song grabs you by the throat and bashes your head against the wall. The production is faultless and every instrument can be clearly heard but this does not necessarily make a good album. The album kicks off impressively with “rejection role” with its meaty riff and all round catchiness and is followed by another storming song “overload”. However, the title track is one of the weakest songs on the album, employing a riff and drum beat more akin on a Slipknot album. A nice guitar solo splits this song up, but overall not a song to write home about. “Strangler”, the best song on the album sees Soilwork rocking out with a mid – paced riff topped off with a catchy chorus and Speed's cleanly sung vocals. Track five launches into a melodic opening with a keyboard sound similar to that used on In Flames' Reroute to Remain, but soon fizzles out. “Departure Plan” doesn't fair much better, alternating between shouty vocals and quiet acoustic moments a la Katatonia and a break straight out of a Dire Straits song. It's all very well trying to mix this altogether, but it doesn't always work.

The rest of the album is a bit of a pick and mix really, the final track “Downfall 24” being the best of them. Using some effective guitar lines and different tempos, it's a fitting song to close the album with. Reminding me at times of Opeth, it's a shame that the rest of the album doesn't have the same kick.

One annoying aspect of this album is the growled verse, cleanly sung chorus element running right the way through it. After two or three songs, you will be able to guess what is coming next and this is not a good sign. Many of you will prefer it like that. At least you'll know when you can leave the room and get a beer without missing anything, but it doesn't make for a very inspired listen. Reroute to Remain was always going to be miles better anyway.

note: 6/10