This is a pretty exclusive review I've got for you. Lowell, MA's melodic death metal band A Wanted Awakening are due to release their album Catharsis, on June 24th and I've been given the opportunity to bring a pre-release review to you all.
Some time ago, I reviewed their EP Rebirth, which was awesome in it's own right. Catharsis features the tracks from that EP and along with newer tracks, forms the band full length, for which they are playing not one, but two release shows for!
Tracklisting:-
1. Final Ascent: Exile
2. Misanthrope
3. Dehumanize
4. The Massacre to Come
5. Flameborne
6. Tempest
7. The Perseus Veil
8. Pilgrimage
9. Spiders.
10. Final Ascent: Exodus
Opener, Final Ascent: Exile flies at you with brutal death
shrieks and guttural growls that sit atop of melodic riffs, off-kilter arrangements
and savage drumming. There's a lot going on, but musical textures are used
sparingly so they don't overpower you. The clean guitar solo and sweep picking
are awesome and that band take their cues from different parts of metal’s
varied spectrum, to increase their musicality.
The clean vocals add a great modern touch to the record. It
reminds of the days when I was first getting into metalcore, when it made the
hair stand up on the back of my neck! Just listen the vocal melodies and improv
guitar at the end of the first song.
Misanthrope is the first track here that appeared on their
EP Rebirth and it loses none of its quality. The Hispanic style guitar that
starts things off, makes way for another modern classic. If you're a fan of
melodic death metal, you'll find loads to get excited about here and might just
find your new favourite band. The need to bring experimental layers into the
music really gives you a sense that these guys are really accomplished
musicians. Their mixture of aggressive and melodic dynamics work well together.
Dehumanize is a new song and has a more melodic sentiment,
but gives way to more deathly aggression. The production of Catharsis isn't as
immediate as that of Rebirth, with the instruments buried slightly underneath
the vocals. That said, it is clear and doe not take anything away from the
quality on offer. Those low, guttural growls are quite incredible and bring
that a sense of evil too the record. The switches between brutal heaviness and
more introspective passages are effortless. The length of the songs also help,
as AWA are able to pack loads of variety into their songs, which makes the
record a well rounded body of work.
The Massacre To Come features higher pitched shrieks and
shows the versatility of the vocals in a very good way. Sometimes bands of this
ilk do rely on the harshness of the vocals to carry songs, but AWA mix melodic
and screamed vox that complement each other.
Flameborn includes more off-kilter clean riffs during the
verses and the choruses sound epic! The drums are fast as well, but not
constantly. They are fast during the full-on parts, but have enough groove not
to sound overpowering. I've heard a lot of records this year so far, all of
which I've enjoyed for different reasons, but this record has to be a contender
for album of the year in my eyes!
When sitting down to do this review, I promised myself I
wouldn't categorise AWA alongside their peers, as I believe that bands should
be considered individual, where possible. That said, I've not always been the
best at sticking to that mantra. All I'll say at this point is if you are
open-minded and enjoy well produced, metal that doesn't rely on electronic
effects but more honest musicianship, Catharsis will be right up your alley.
Tempest is another one of their newer tracks and it embodies exactly what I've
just said.
As the second part of Catharsis rallies on through The
Perseus Veil, I just want to sit and appreciate the passion and skill that AWA
put into their music. A surprise hits you towards the middle of this song, with
some brilliant almost free form jazz guitar that fits right in and again shows
the versatility of the guitarists.
Pilgrimage contains some sick pinch harmonic effects,
stop-start guitar riffs and really powerful drumming, Twin guitar melodies and
cracking singing just complete the package for me. Spiders is the penultimate
song on Catharsis and one of my favourites on Rebirth. It seems to be more
brutal here thanks to the vocals and definitely has an edge to it that I can't
pin down.
Final Ascent: Exodus is the closing song and also the
longest at just over 7 minutes, so very much AWA's most indulgent piece of
death metal loveliness. The epic solo at the start shows as much as AWA close
Catharsis in triumphant style, catching all the elements that make this record
so good and letting rip with a sense of accomplishment that most bands are
still to find. It's a brilliant way to end this album.
As I said before, Catharsis is released this coming Saturday, so head over to AWA's Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/awantedawakening, for more details and make sure you pick up a copy when it comes out. Also, follow AWA on Twitter at - @AWA_Band.
They also have a Tumblr page at http://awantedawakening.tumblr.com, so there's no excuse to say you were not informed!
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