Figure Number Five - Soilwork

Figure Number Five - Soilwork > Reviews > Great, but not for elitist black-metallers.

1 CD(s) - Heavy Metal - Label: Nuclear Blast - Distributor: Plastic Head - Released: 21/04/2003 - 727361110826 more

2 offers from

Overall user rating Figure Number Five - Soilwork 1 review | Write a review | Add product to list





Please wait ....
Rate this product:  
 
All Figure Number Five - Soilwork reviews
Great, but not for elitist black-metallers.
A review by ShadowCreator on Figure Number Five - Soilwork
September 29th, 2007


Author's product rating:   Figure Number Five - Soilwork - rated by ShadowCreator

Originality Definitely a cut above the rest 
Lyrics Thought-provoking 
Quality and consistency of tracks Flawless 
How does it compare to the artist's other releases Outstanding 
Value for Money Excellent 

Advantages: Catchy, high quality, aggressive, pumping, some electronics
Disadvantages: Radio listeners will not like the vocals, hardcore BM listeners might be turned off

Recommend to potential buyers: yes 

Full review
Figure number five is quite an amazing album, but be warned, it is not for everyone. Those who prefer to stick to pure black/death metal will be absolutely appalled by this, as well as those who dislike industrial metal and other genres of music.

If I had to give classify this, most of it would still fall under 'melodic death metal', though very weak genre-wise compared to their earlier efforts, and far more varied. In this album, you will see some modern hard rock/metal influence, as well as some industrial metal-ish style riffing (somewhat similar to Mnemic), and some synthesizers.

However, those who are generally open minded, and are not afraid to stray from black/death metal roots will enjoy this album a great deal. Sure, it's started to sound a bit more poppy, but this is largely due to the production style, which is now similar to that of Mnemic's. I would not classify anything like this or Mnemic as having a 'mallcore', but rather 'modern metal'. However, this still retains some Gothenburg influence, so while being fun and modernized, will still draw in more open minded Soilwork fans.

The synths are actually great on this album, and don't seem to overpower any of the other elements of the music. Sure, some may hate the use of synths, but they seem to add to the music, giving the songs a more layered and complex feel.

The guitar work is somewhat simple, but effective, as is the drumming, though these are both varied enough to prevent the music from becoming monotonous. Overall, the songs are quite varied, and quite catchy, but hardly in a lame way. There still is power in the music despite it being not the most serious of records, which the mixed semi-harsh/clean vocal style captures effectively.

To be honest, I know that I'm about as open-minded as any metalhead can get. As well as metal I listen to a huge amount of post-rock, industrial, ambient, neofolk, and a whole bunch of other non-metal artists. So, while I do understand the qualms of some who exclusively stick to metal (especially those who keep to strong death/black metal), I do believe that this is a strong album.

However, I do believe that Soilwork is taking a dangerous path. Should they get much more mainstream than this, they could become utter garbage (sold out, etc), even to the most open-minded listener, so I hope that if they do not return a huge amount to their past style, they stay around this area (they don't seem to have gone that far with STD). Overall, I'd say that the best songs on this album are Light the Torch, The Mindmaker, Figure Number Five, and Rejection Role. The rest are still pretty great, even Departure Plan (which could be considered borderline metal if lucky, but I like it anyway).

96/100 

Write your own review




More details
How does it rate alongside the competition Outstanding 
Cover / Inlay Design and Content Outstanding 

Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision?
Rating guidelines

   

Comments on this review
More options
All Figure Number Five - Soilwork reviews

Compare prices for Figure Number Five - Soilwork

2 out of 2 offers for Figure Number Five - Soilwork   sorted by Price  
Figure Number Five - Figure Number Five -
Release Date: 2007-12-15, Audio CD, Nuclear Blast
£ 9.99 Amazon Marketplace

Postage & Packaging£1.24
AvailabilityUsually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Amazon Marketplace

Products you might be interested in
And Justice For All - MetallicaAnd Justice For All - Metallica

1 CD(s) - Speed / Thrash Metal - Label: Vertigo - Distributor: Universal Music - Released: 10/1988 - 42283606227

 16 reviews

Buy now for only £ 4.84

Santa Cause Vol.1, A (It's A Punk Rock Christmas) - Various ArtistsSanta Cause Vol.1, A (It's A Punk Rock Christmas) - Various Artists

1 CD(s) - Christmas - Label: Immortal/Remote Control - Distributor: Pinnacle - Released: 15/11/2004 - 827596000227

This product has not yet been reviewed. Rate it now

Buy now for only £ 3.38

Hybrid Theory - Linkin ParkHybrid Theory - Linkin Park

1 CD(s) - Rap Metal - Label: Warner Bros. - Distributor: Cinram Logistics - Released: 30/10/2000 - 93624775522

 100 reviews

Buy now for only £ 4.38

Greatest Hits Vol.1 (Parental Advisory) [PA] - KornGreatest Hits Vol.1 (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Korn

1 CD(s) - Rap Metal - Label: Epic - Distributor: Sony Music/Arvato Services - Released: 04/10/2004 - 5099751879220

 3 reviews

Buy now for only £ 4.40

Best Of British - Candlelight In Algeria

1 CD(s) - Heavy Metal - Label: Odeon Entertainment - Distributor: Arvato Services - Released: 23/07/2007 - 5060082511820

This product has not yet been reviewed. Rate it now

Buy now for only £ 6.61

Best Of The Scorpions, The - ScorpionsBest Of The Scorpions, The - Scorpions

1 CD(s) - Heavy Metal - Label: EMI Catalogue - Distributor: EMI - Released: 20/09/1999 - 724349701328

 1 review

Buy now for only £ 4.16




Are you the manufacturer / provider of Figure Number Five - Soilwork? Click here