The much anticipated Facedown Records follow up to Figure Four's debut No Weapon Formed Against Us is finally here, and it was a CD worth waiting for. The Canadians who took the hardcore world by storm are definitely back with a vengeance.
The overall sound has a meatier and thicker sound, which is the result of the second guitar rounding things out very nicely. The style is as was before old school 'tough-guy' hardcore and it suits these guys so much. I'd say that in many parts the music is faster than what they achieved on the previous album as well. In addition there is no denying that it is heavier and more aggressive than before, which as we all know is a good thing.
The complaint department for me is pretty much wrapped up in the length of the album. With 10 tracks this CD just barely clocks in at 20 minutes. Indeed most of the songs are under 2 minutes with the longest hitting 2:40. I know this doesn't seem to bother the true hardcore people out there but for me a 20 minute CD is an EP not a full length...despite how many songs are on it.
Lyrics to this CD take a very different approach than previously, while there's nothing wrong here instead of boldly saying God's name they tend to come from talking about what they have. What I mean is they speak about the things they've found, chosen and have in their life in a manner that makes the listener want to know what it is. Within the lyrics themselves however they never tell what it is. I really miss their old lyrical style.
When It's All Said And Done, this is a great hardcore album. It's fun, aggressive and brutal. If you liked what they did musically with the first album you'll love this as it only gets better.
9/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #91Reviewed by UnknownThe Record Collection, a new vinyl-focused label that digressed into the digital medium for a limited release Snailhuntr CD, brings us two impressive and fully licensed collector's items for the hard music audiophile. The first is the first-pressing of Living Sacrifice's The Hammering Process LP on 12" vinyl of assorted colors. All poly-bagged with an insert (but no lyric sheet), the records come…HM Magazine #90Reviewed by Doug Van PeltHardcore is a beautiful thing. Raw emotion flying everywhere — along with the bodies and spit — knocking everyone around. You either throw yourself into it, and contribute to the energy being shared; step back in awe; or you run away in fear. If you're not ready to be pummeled and hammered to pieces, the running away option might be best when it comes to Figure Four. Like any good art form, it…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Nate BaileyThis is Figure Four's second full length on Facedown Records. They are from Canada. Figure Four plays NYC style hardcore. They play well and the whole CD is tight and well put together. However, they don't do a whole lot to make the style their own which is disappointing. The lyrics and recording are both done well, though musically the songs tend to run together. C+Similar sounding releases
2001Point of Recognition / Cast In Stone / Torn in TwoNow The Tables Have Turned
2002Curl Up and DieUnfortunately We're Not Robots
2003TerrorLowest of the Low
2004Killing The DreamKilling The Dream
2003A18Forever After Nothing
2002Sleeping by the RiversideA Breath Between Battles
