Awaken

Monsters & Machines

Review by The Forged with Steel Project

     While I don’t normally compare bands to their influences this band screams who they area and were they come from loudly and proudly from the start of their album. I like that in a band, identity is key to the music a band creates and the album is atmospheric and energetic. The first song is a trail blazing piece that signifies the complexities in the tale of the music this band wishes to describe. They tell you right up front what they are about. It’s catchy and fun, and fun is something music needs more of these days. Not only that the cover art for the album is pretty rad and yes it’s totally ok to judge an album by the cover art that’s how it catches your eye…kinda like a catchy tune, I think they would be a great opening act and eventually headlining act to any band that choses them. A few bands try to live up to their influences, but few bands reach their influences and able to meet or emulate them and discover something new. I love these guys, they have my support. Not only Coheed and Cambria but I would say that they remind me of Anberlin in a great way as well. It’s a trick, knowing you have the music and talent of magic at your fingertips but also realizing that you must create something new is a challenge. This music isn’t as loud volume wise as some bands, but that’s good it won’t blow out your ear drums if you forget you left the volume up the night before.

     The gain and quality of sound from their playing is crisp and calculated it’s also thoughtful and articulated. They give you time to recover while they tell you the next chapter of human’s and machine’s coming together as one, and ultimately healing one another. It’s a common tale, but I enjoy it as it’s a human tale. I also really enjoy this synth and piano work, excellent. I’m a sucker for that sort of music especially if it’s used as a texture for other stuff. If I had one complaint it would be the last 3 notes at the end of “Stained Glass” they feel just a little out of place… Really, it’s only minor, or is it a major I’m not sure, I should learn to play, anyway continuing I really like the song “In Your Sky”, I can see this one becoming popular if more people hear it, love the symbols on it. Man, the Synth is just textured so well on this record, and it’s usually backed by a piano. I was going to have a favorite song but the album is constructed extremely well, from all points. It’s not overwhelming, it’s not exhausting and it’s perfect relaxing instrumentation. Fair warning, fall break rise is probably their loudest song(perfect for a concert hall) so be a bit careful with that one if you happen to pause it part way through. Over all, excellent work, I’m glad you decided to reach out to writing and photographing community. I don’t normally tell people to listen to songs without listening to the full record either, but start off with “A Rose For A Tragedy”, it deserves your listen if that’s the only song you listen to on this album.