ALBUM REVIEW: Operating In Unsafe Mode – Figures

Most rock and metal listeners enjoy a bit of heavy music right? Being able to headbang along to a track you have only just discovered is a truly wonderful thing and you can bet that FIGURES’ first full-length release, Operating In Unsafe Mode, is going to gift that experience upon you. The Melbourne-based alt-metal group are set to release the album on Friday, having originally based the concept around artificial intelligence and its rise to power, but focusing less on that as the album came together.

The release gets started with the first track Failure To React, opening with some glitchy sound effects and then transitioning into some periodically slammed guitars and drums. The guitars and bass then lay out a deep riff that creates a foundation for vocalist Mark Tronson to bring in some melodic tunes. The lyrics in this song portray a struggle which sets the tone lyrically for the rest of the album.

Syntax follows, giving you some heavy riffs and fast paced angry vocals, sounding almost nu-metal-esque. Going from shouted verses into a melodic chorus creates a good contrast, sounding almost chaotic but in a good way, and to add to that the band gives you a great drop into some hectic screams accompanied with a super cool riff from guitarists Paul Callow and Josh Gibson, and bassist Jen Fletcher. This track flows super well from the verses into the hook and chorus, which is sometimes difficult when transitioning from unclean to cleans.

Serving some more of those brilliant shouted vocals is the song Someone Uninvited. The catchy riff throughout is paired with some great drum beats from Adam Zaffarese, giving you the tempo to bang your head along. The hook gives way to a distorted chorus which has a real edge. This track in particular is sure to result in a rowdy crowd when played live, and the addition of the electronic beats to create a build up adds another dimension to the song.

This album also incorporates some softer sections into the mix, whilst also including the deep tuned guitars to keep the heavy vibe of the album in sight. Another Injustice has a really cool layout, opening with some groovy electronic sounds, and into a melodic vocal section. What is really interesting about this song is that halfway through, the band decides to tone it down to a bare minimum, having Tronson create some soft tunes, accompanied by some piano notes. This then drops into a guitar, bass and drum heavy section, mixing up the previous tone of the song. Inside You’re Alone is another softer sounding song, which is nice to have as it means when the heavier following tracks play, it creates more of an impact. However, again even this song contains some heavy tuned riffs and consistently nice drum beats.

Lastly, Pedestals lures you into a false sense of security with some techno beats, but then totally drops into heavy shouted vocals and raging instruments. Some common things throughout this album are that many of the tracks have electronic sounding intros, keeping with the AI theme, and distorted vocals. These result in a distinctive sound when paired with the band’s fast paced aggressive vocals, melodic sung along segments, and heavy riffs and drums.

FIGURES definitely have their sound, and it is really cool to experience. This album gives you heaviness whilst also supplying tuneful sections which are really well put together. A surprising breakdown or two would have been great, but even without, this album is super enjoyable.

Rating: 9/10

Operating In Unsafe Mode is set for release on July 17th via self-release.

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