Awakening

Trauma – Awakening Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 12, 2022 in Reviews, Thrash Metal, 21 comments

“Founding drummer Kris Gustofson is back with the band’s recent guitar duo, ex-Testament powerhouse Greg Christian, and little-known Brian Allen (ex-Vicious Rumors and the like). And together, these old boys bring the heat. More than any other album in their catalog, Awakening is a true thrasher. While Allen still sports classic high-ends made popular by Hillier, Anthrax, Heretic, and Metal Church, he can also throw down some Zetro Souza-isms and monstrous growls. Awakening sees the band traverse unfamiliar waters that might or might not fracture their fanbase. But this new record feels like the comeback we’ve always longed to hear.” Past Trauma present.

Black Swamp Water – Awakening Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 16, 2021 in Reviews, Hard Rock, Southern Metal, 19 comments

“I grabbed this promo from the rattlesnake and scorpion-infested bin at AMG’s Southwest office because I thought it was thrash. See, I’ve been on a thrash kick lately and I had no qualms grabbing another thrash release to review. The band name didn’t exactly strike me as a band that played thrash. But, who am I to judge? Maybe they’re swampy thrashers from the South, like Pantera and Exhorder. But, this is no thrash band. Everything I know about life is a lie.” Swamp romps.

Sacred Reich – Awakening Review

By Dr. Fisting on August 19, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Metal Blade, Rating, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 43 comments

“Formed way back in 1985, Arizona’s Sacred Reich plays thrash metal according to the original recipe, blending Priest / Sabbath worship with just a dash of early-80s hardcore. Thankfully devoid of cheesy theatrics or progressive aspirations, the band has generally relied on atonal palm-muted riffs and socially conscious lyrics to win the day. While Sacred Reich never really went away, they had also not released a new album since 1996’s Heal, seemingly content with occasionally playing the festival circuit. For whatever reason, they must have changed their minds recently. With some fresh inspiration and a reconfigured lineup, Sacred Reich has delivered their first studio release in 23 years, the aptly titled Awakening. Morning in America.

Asu no Jokei – Awakening [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Dr. Wvrm on December 11, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Japanese Metal, Pest Productions, Post-metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, 79 comments

“I’ve loved Japanese music for fifteen years, but, except for Asian Kung-Fu Generation, that affinity never really made its way south of anime heaven. Rank-and-file melodeath like Blood Stain Child and Gyze pale next to foreign counterparts thanks to lesser execution, if not always lesser vision, and the specter of Japan’s inescapable demon, Ear-Guro. But the best that the Land of the Rising Sun can bring to the table, accomplished legends like Galneryus, Boris, and Sigh, ride in a palanquin borne by the dual tenets of Japanese metal: diligent virtuosity and off-the-walls eclecticism.” Eastern extremes.

Blues Funeral – Awakening Review

By Grymm on September 1, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Reviews, Self-released, Doom Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, 10 comments

“Our reviewers diligently convince our readers to give a listen to promising bands in hopes of them making a bit of money via their Bandcamp page or even drawing enough attention to get them signed to a big label. Sometimes, though, one or two will slip by our radar. Texas’ Blues Funeral is such a case. Having formed in 2014, they self-released their debut, The Search, last year with some notable buzz. Now they’ve returned with their second album in as many years in the form of Awakening.” Blues clues and brews.

Wardrum – Awakening [Things You Might Have Missed 2016]

By Eldritch Elitist on December 18, 2016 in 2016, Greek Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Steel Gallery Records, Things You Might Have Missed 2016, Power Metal, 23 comments

“With few exceptions, last year sucked for power metal. Sabaton made their first real whiff, Rage dropped their worst album in ages, and Twilight Force tarnished an otherwise solid record with dreadful production. And then came Wardrum.” Bang on the Wardrum all day.

Frosttide – Awakening Review

By Madam X on August 16, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 2 comments

“Last year NoiseArt Records graced my greedy hands with Survival of the Fittest, the debut release by Italian band Krampus. With two well received EPs already floating about, I had some excitement in hearing their brand of modern folk metal. By the end of the year the album had worn a considerable groove in my playlist, so much so it eventually ended up on Madam X’s Top 10(ish) of 2012. Until now, 2013 has felt a little lean in terms of folk metal, outside of Månegarm’s (Legions of the North) blackened folk offering, nothing’s jumped out at me – Finnish melodic folk metallers Frosttide are doing their damnedest to change that.” We don’t let Madam X review much folk metal because she’s too dark for such things. We made an exception with the new Frosttide and since nobody got hurt, The Providers are pleased.