SOILWORK „Figure Number Five”

So I saw that there was already one review posted for “Figure Number Five” but I felt the need to weigh in. I don't think that our other writer really gave this album any justice whatsoever. I personally just RE-discovered this album as I was drifting back through SOILWORK's discography in preparation for their new release later this year, and have been consistently playing it for the past few weeks. I believe that this is the album where Soilwork finally found their niche. Although I do enjoy most of the tracks off “A Predator's Portrait” and “Natural Born Chaos”, “Figure Number Five” has a lasting effect that the predecessors don't. With excellence displayed from all instruments combined with stellar songwriting, “Figure Number Five” ranks, at least with this writer, as one of my favorite melodic death albums. Make no mistake though, this is not AT THE GATES' “Slaughter of the Soul”, CARCASS' “Heartwork”, or even IN FLAMES' “The Jester Race” or “Clayman”, but this is an awesome album and easily my favorite SOILWORK release.

With excellent songs like “Rejection Role”, “Strangler”, “Light the Torch, “Downfall 24”, and the title track leading the way, there is not a bad track on this album. Another thing that I found interesting is that it is very noticeable that this work laid the foundation for “Figure Number Five”'s followup “Stabbing the Drama” and probably their new album as well, proving that “Figure Number Five” is the signature SOILWORK album. The funny thing is even though this album clocks in at just under 40 minutes, I have found myself playing it over and over again, as I seemingly can't get enough of it.

I also think it's quite amusing the parallels with the fans of SOILWORK and the fans of IN FLAMES. There are some who have followed SOILWORK from “Steelheart Suicide” and “The Chainheart Machine” to “Figure Number Five” and “Stabbing the Drama” yet others who claim that the last two albums have completely turned them off to SOILWORK's sound. Oddly enough, IN FLAMES has the same contingent with people who love “The Jester Race” and “Whoracle” but have written off IN FLAMES (most notably) with this band's releases “Soundtrack to Your Escape” and “Come Clarity”. I, for one, will take each band's entire discographies as both of these bands (coupled with DARK TRANQUILLITY) are the face of what we know as melodic death metal today.

Neverthless, if you are a fan of amazing scream/growl/sing vocals, blistering riffs and magnificent solos, flawless transitions, a prominent tempo setting bass, pummeling drumlines, and infectious keyboards all of the melodic death variety, you need “Figure Number Five”.

note: 9.5 / 10

Tracklist

Rejection Role
Overload
Figure Number Five
Strangler
Light the Torch
Departure Plan
Cranking the Sirens
Brickwalker
The Mindmaker
Distortion Sleep
Downfall 24

Line-up

Bjorn “Speed” Strid – Vocals
Peter Wichers – Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Henry Ranta – Drums
Ola Frenning – Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Sven Karlsson – Keyboards and Synth
Ola Flink – Bass