Figures Dedicate New Single, 'Recoil', To Deceased Fan

His name was "Slick" Mick Mills, and he passed away at the age of 27 earlier this year to Lymphoma.

Man, Lymphoma is an utter cunt of a thing.

Up and coming Melbourne prog-rockers Figures know this very well, as their chugging new single, 'Recoil', was written in honour of a dear friend and big fan of their band, Mick Mills, who tragically passed away this year due to Lymphoma.

Musically, 'Recoil' is the groovy, heavy yet melodic and rather solid taste of the quintet's upcoming sophomore EP, 'Chronos', which is due out in mid-June. But thematically and lyrically, Figures want any and everyone to know that this song is all for a close friend that's sadly no longer with us.

Figures bassist, Jen Fletcher, explains why this song, in particular, was dedicated to Mills, saying:

"'Slick' Mick Mills was a close personal friend of the band since meeting Simmo and Josh through work years ago. He was diagnosed with Lymphoma in September of 2016. He died only 9 months later at the young age of 27. He was a great guitar player and like a little brother to Simmo, who wouldn't be the guitarist he is without those countless hours jamming together. His favourite Figures track was Recoil and he was always front row when we dropped it. He was a proper fan, we never want to forget him and what that song used to make him feel. RIP 'Slick' Mick, we'll miss him but we will never forget him and this video clip was never released in time for him to see it. Guaranteed if he had have seen it, in true Mick style he would have most certainly lost his shit."

Now, this isn't like the case of Lakeshore and their song 'Kings (The Reawakening)' which was rather lazily dedicated to Mitch Lucker. No, the emotional intent of this song is fitting and indeed felt across its runtime, especially with this particular set of lyrics: "All my life I’ve sensed the grave/As time beats away/Never really here and now/And I’ll stand by, knowing full well/That my actions are all futile, all while/My distractions enterprise/And leave me none the wise". While 'Recoil' may not have been initially written about Mills or his passing, this song takes on a whole new light now and stands in loving honour of the group's departed friend.

Disconcertingly enough, Lymphoma was the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia back in 2013, and that estimation is believed to hold steady in 2017. As for the fatality rate, in 2014, lymphoma was the 9th leading cause of cancer deaths right here in Oz, and it's estimated it'll fall down to being the 12th most common cause of death from cancer in 2017 - still not that great. This year, it is estimated that this will result in around 1,481 deaths - approximately 863 male and 618 female deaths. Goddamn. For more info and statistics about lymphoma and cancer-related diagnosis' and deaths, please see The Australian Institute Of Health and Welfare.

Moving away from the pure fucking bastard that is cancer and the many grim forms that it comes in, you can stream 'Recoil' below, and if you're not around it, go and stream the band's previous single 'Filter'. Because man, this band rocks!

'Chronos' will see it's release on Friday, June 16th, and pre-orders kick off this Friday, May 5th via iTunes.