Figures: Dehumanization Is Something Very Possible

It is very clear that writing an album is a process. You may start off with one idea, develop this further, or even lose it slightly as you get closer to the finish line. Melbourne based alt-metal band FIGURES seemed to have experienced the latter, finding that their original vision changed a bit as they created their raging new album, Operating In Unsafe Mode.

We spoke to Paul Callow, guitarist for the band, and he told us a bit about the process of creating their first full album. Early on, the band came up with, “the concept of the probability of AI [artificial intelligence] taking over the world. Not so much in a Terminator way but more in the way that AI will be the future and humans will most likely become kind of obsolete in ways and that the dehumanisation is something that is very possible.” This idea is a current topic, seeing as the majority of our lives are already so dependent on technology, with Callow even saying the initial meaning behind the album was quite ironic seeing as about 80% of the album was produced digitally. He also said that as the record moved forward, their original idea was fading slightly, mentioning, “I know lyrically it changed a fair bit for Mark [Tronson, vocals] and didn’t really turn into the concept album we had talked about at the start, which probably had a lot to do with the process of recording this album.”

As for the band’s style and sound on their new release, Callow explained how he did not believe it had changed dramatically since the release of their previous EP Chronos. He went on to say that the process was similar at the start, writing a bunch of demos and showing them to the band, but eventually the members managed to all get home recording rigs. “We could bounce ideas around without going into rehearsal studios. Some of these songs had never actually been played live as a band until the recording process had finished.” I think for the album we just had a clear direction and vibe that we wanted.

Callow went on to say that personally, the recording process for this release wasn’t too enjoyable due to some personal issues, but adds, “maybe some of that tension has come through in the album.” Operating In Unsafe Mode is definitely a hard hitter, bringing you catchy low tuned riffs and sick drum beats, accompanied by some aggressive vocals and melodic tunes, it could be said that this tension he speaks of adds to the full force impact of their first full length release. “Quite a few softer or more ‘prog’ songs didn’t get a look in as they didn’t match what we were feeling and going for on this album. Maybe the next album will be full of ballads, but I doubt it with what has been demoed lately [laughs].”

When asked about the influences for this release, Callow struggled to pin down any particular bands/artists that FIGURES looked at collectively. He did mention though that when speaking to their producer Luke Cincotta, they wanted the album “to have a vibe similar to a mix between DEFTONES and NINE INCH NAILS and somehow we managed to do that.” Wherever the band finds inspiration, they make sure to create music that they are proud of, “it’s a big passion for all of us and we do really make sure that the songs we do have an emotional and honest feel to them.”

Releasing an album and being a musician generally during this time of lockdown and uncertainty has been difficult for many artists. During this time it has taught FIGURES how much they rely on live performances, so they have been thinking of ways they can develop from this experience. “I think moving forward trying to do as much as we can from isolation, whether that be doing unplugged versions of songs and recording them live, doing full noise versions from our homes, interacting more with fans or maybe even writing and starting a new album. But overall the lesson is live shows are what we are all missing.”

Paul Callow went on to answer some more questions about the band and their new release, Operating In Unsafe Mode. 

How long have you been working on this album and did your vision for it change overtime?

Paul: I think overall the process was about a year. The writing was done pretty quickly, the recording was done pretty quickly and even the mixing was. There was just a bunch of stuff behind the scenes that made the process drawn out. Luke the producer got very sick at one stage from burning the candle at both ends, we were all trying to fit in studio and recording time around jobs and family. The vision musically didn’t change at all and the overall vibe of the album was the same but lyrically I know it changed a bit from discussions we had at the start.

The album is definitely heavy and hard hitting as well as having melodic sections throughout, and I can imagine it to be a super nice album to hear live, so when you can take it out on tour, what songs are you most looking forward to playing to a live crowd?

Paul: I think it’d have to be either Underpaid Machinery or Someone Uninvited as they are crowd movers but on a selfish side of things I do like the challenge of getting a song like The Circle bends tight or the feel of Inside You’re Alone played.

If you could open a show for any band who would you choose and why? 

Paul: I think opening for BJORK would be awesome. Not because I think we’d be a good fit but just because any chance to see her live again and possibly meet her would be freaking amazing. 

Finally, what is the best live experience you have had as performers?

Paul: I think it’d have to be our last EP launch. It was a full house and we played really well and it was a really positive vibe in the venue. I’m 100% sure that the album launch will be ten times better though.

Operating In Unsafe Mode is out now via self-release.

Like FIGURES on Facebook.