FIGURES
Operating In Unsafe Mode
SELF-RELEASED
Australian alt-metallers take a stance against injustice
The debut album from this Melbourne alt-metal quintet expands on the musical experimentation previous EPs hinted at. Combining scintillating melodies, a pummelling percussive sounds and soaring vocals, Operating In Unsafe Mode is impassioned and densely packed. Lyrics centre around dehumanisation and oppression, injustices that were exemplified through wage theft scandals in their homeland, resulting in one frustrated, embittered album. As opening statements go, Failure To React and the nu metal-inflected Syntax’s skilful yet insanely catchy fusion of droptuned riffs and punchy rhythms are difficult to fault. The politically charged Underpaid Machinery is awash with visceral rage as Mark Tronson’s powerful yet unhinged vocals ramps up the intensity, while Force Feeding’s frenetic tempos set up a rousing chorus. These Aussie exports continue to lead the alt-metal charge.