Released: Sep 25, 2012
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Metal Blade
Number Of Tracks: 11
The sixth studio release by As I Lay Dying, "Awakened" is a strong release with melodic and thrash qualities not seen to this extent in many of their contemporaries. By far, this is the best metalcore release I have found so far in 2012.
AwakenedFeatured review by: UG Team, on september 25, 2012 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: As I Lay Dying was founded in 2000 by guitarist and vocalist, Tim Lambesis, in California, and was originally just a duo with Tim and drummer, Jordan Mancino. Duties for the other instruments on their early recordings and shows were filled by a rotating group of friends. The current lineup of As I Lay Dying wasn't completed until 2007. They released their first album, "Beneath The Encasing Of Ashes", in 2001 through Pluto Records. In 2002 they released 5 songs on a split album with metal band, American Tragedy. In 2003, As I Lay Dying left Pluto Records and signed with Metal Blade Records who they remain with today. Their second studio release, "Frail Words Collapse", was released through Metal Blade Records in mid 2003. Since that time, As I Lay Dying has toured extensively in support of their music and as of "Awakened" this will be their sixth studio release, and the fifth with Metal Blade Records.
The sound of the album is definitely As I Lay Dying – and by this I mean it is metalcore, but has strong melody for the genre, has elements of thrash and a really good mix of clean and screamed vocals. The music is still ultra aggressive but doesn't do aggression at the cost of finesse. The album is produced and mixed really well. There is something I see as a problem in the metalcore genre of albums being either extremely over or under produced, but with "Awakened" they seem to have found a happy medium. I've said it already, but what makes this album stand out from other metalcore releases this year is that there is a strong sense of melody, there are good guitar solos, and the mix of vocals is close to perfect. The drums are aggressive without falling into the trap of trying to kill the cymbals or doing fast triplets on the bass drum to the point of monotony. I tend to think of certain bands in certain genres as being representative of what is best in their respective genres and with "Awakened" As I Lay Dying has taken a step in that direction for metalcore. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Tim Lambesis handles the main vocals – which are the screamed vocals – throughout the album. The clean vocals are handled by bassist, Josh Gilbert. Something that really stands out to me about As I Lay Dying, besides their awesome use of melody, is the way that Tim and Josh harmonize their vocals occasionally which is really unique with screamed metalcore vocals and clean vocals. Tim Lambesis definitely gets props for managing to be understandable with his metalcore vocals without losing his edge of aggression. I think that Tim Lambesis and Josh Gilbert have really found a method that works for them and gives their band an identity, from a vocal standpoint. Something else that Josh Gilbert pulls off on his clean vocals that a lot of bands don't manage with clean vocals – he sings clean, but he doesn't sound like a boy band singer.
As far as a sample of lyrics, I thought I would share some of the lyrics from the song "Cauterize", which was the first single from the album. I don't think these are the best lyrics on the album, though the lyrics throughout are pretty much standard fare for metalcore – the lyrics from "Awakened" are better than some and worse than others, but a pretty solid effort when all is said and done. Here are some lyrics from the song "Cauterized": "Go/ The truth of my heart/ is like a repressed tale/ A censored and silenced story/ repression or restraint/ it is a delicate balance/ between bleeding out what/ will make me drown/ and closing in what I cannot afford to spill/ either way, I must cauterize/ cauterize the open wound". That is the first verse, then the clean vocals come in with the chorus: "I'm caught between the feeling/ of being pulled apart/ or stuffed into a cell". Then we have the next verse: "And if these are the only options/ this will always be hell/ never ending/ though I still may be breathing/ there is no quality of life/ so I choose to risk it all for you/ for you to be by my side". Then it goes into the 2nd chorus, more verses, more choruses, etc. As I said, the lyrics aren't bad – I've seen better and worse, but they stand up fairly well. // 7
Impression: My favorite songs on the album are "Overcome", "Tear Out My Eyes", "Resilience" and "A Greater Foundation". My least favorite song on the album is the first single, "Cauterize". "Awakened" stands up well against its competition, as it definitely stays in the realm of metalcore, but has the additional elements of thrash and melody. I would recommend this album to anyone who is currently a fan of metalcore or a fan of As I Lay Dying. I would recommend this album to anyone who was just getting into metalcore, as it seems to be a good gateway band, too. I hope the band continues to make new albums and continues to tour. I would love to hear some of these songs live, and I feel like their individual voice is just starting to shine and help them stand apart. The standard version of the album has 11 tracks and a run time of just under 43 minutes. The version I was reviewing is the iTunes Limited Edition version that has two additional tracks – "Unwound", which is a B-side demo, and a demo version of "A Greater Foundation" that is like 12 seconds longer than the original. The iTunes version is right under 51 minutes long. // 7
Awakened
Reviewed by:
goingnowhere21, on september 26, 2012 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: As I Lay Dying over time have really cemented their name into the metal-core genre, but they have always managed to add something extra into their music so they managed to stand out. Each album was an improvement as time went on as the band matured. While I can say that this is a solid album, I can't say they really went too far into maturing direction this time around.
The sound is exactly what we have come to expect from the band. Each predecessor album had its very own individual sound, and looking back, no two albums sound the same. In this case, it is a blend of "The Powerless Rise" and "Frail Words Collapse", from my perspective. The guitar riffs are great, the bass lines are great, the drumming is great, the vocals are great, but something is missing. In general, the band seems to follow a certain song structure and pretty much uses it for just about every song, so there's not enough variety.
I have listened to the album all the way through probably five time prior to writing this article, and I still have a hard time distinguishing which song is which. It's not to say that they're not quality in their own respects, but if the band shook things up around a little bit, it wouldn't hurt them.
My biggest complaint about this entire album is that its leaning towards mainstream metal-core. The album is filled with breakdowns, something they had almost completely left behind since 2005's "Shadows Are Security" and Josh Gilbert's singing, while impressive and fitting for the band, has almost overtaken Tim Lambesis' screams at point, something that we aren't used to as fans. Bands evolve into the kinds of bands they want to, for themselves, and that is exactly what they should be doing, so I can't blame them for making this album the way they want to. They're called artists because they create the art in their minds, not just what other people want to do.
Besides the complaints, instrumentally-wise, songs worth checking out are "A Greater Foundation", which is their second single off the album, and has a music video for it, "No Lungs To Breathe", and "Overcome". I give it a 6 mainly because I feel they are a better band than the work they have released this time around. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: Before I get to the lyrics, I want to briefly mention that Tim's screams and Josh's singing are better than ever. Josh's range has definitely widened out, and Tim's screams have as well. His highs are perfect this time around. The band has always been one that puts heavy and hard hitting music to very deep lyrics, and this time around it is no difference. I have always said that they're not just lyrics written out, they're well-crafted poems, cleverly worded to appeal to the listener.
For example, in "Wasted Words", the lyrics mainly speak of the hardships and sadness one goes through life, through trying to follow their dreams in hopes of dying with no regrets. "The price of attachment in pursuit of dreams/ that I so often can't seem to remember/ yet there are days when beauty can not be contained/ it even crawls out from under ordinary things."
Also worth noting is the lyrics of "Defender":
"You can justify almost anything/ if you are willing to be loud enough/ but once you've spent everything/ to change the world around you/ even if your voice is taken away/ such actions will still inspire."
Perhaps I am a little biased in giving this section a 9 because I have always been a fan of their lyrical work, but I feel the lyrics are very powerful in this case as well. If you look them up for other songs as well, you won't be disappointed. // 9
Impression: As mentioned earlier, compared to the levels where they should be now, this album is a bit of a fluke. In the end, it is still a very solid album, and I would highly recommend it to any AILD fan. However, when you compare it to the raw energy of "Frail Words Collapse" or "An Oceans Between Us", it is very difficult to say that this is the band's best work so far.
Perhaps if this was another band of lesser stature that released this, I would give it a higher rating, but I was personally expecting a lot more considering what they're capable of. As a hardcore fan, it is disappointing a bit, but I'm sure this album will be the gateway for many new fans to come that are just starting to get into the genre, ones who aren't quite ready to get into the heavier stuff AILD has released. // 7
These guys have some serious talent. No album will be as big of a breakthrough as An Ocean Between Us, but every album since then has been fantastic. While most other bands are withering in the creative category, As I Lay Dying is keeping things alive. This cd in particular is one of the greatest combinations of brutality and melody that I've heard in my life. I'm not disappointed.
I'm really up in the air about this album. I can't say it was their best work, but it has some quality stuff in there. "Resilience" and "No Lungs to Breathe" are probably my favorites but it seemed like they went backwards a little bit on some of the things they do. There's a bit too many breakdowns, for my liking at least, but at least they don't sound like they were truly going for that. It's not that big of a deal but they got past that phase with Shadows, or so I thought.
It's not my favorite album, but there are some pretty good gems in there. Josh's singing is fantastic on most of the songs, but others is just sort of plain. It's still a solid album, but I expected something heavier this time around, especially with "Cauterized" being their first single off the album.
I'm not sure if anyone's ever done this thing where you find a relatively unknown melodic death metal band on the You of tubes and then keep clicking through the related videos of yet more unknown bands, you will see that most of the relevant bands are mostly unknown purely because everything about their music is completely mediocre.
AILD sound exactly like these unknown bands, just with vocals and song structures of generic American metalcore, which is still heavily trending despite the sea of unbearable averageness and laziness that is most of the metalcore scene being completely obvious.
The progressions are tiresome, as are the overused scales which are the same scales for nearly every song they've ever written, the At The Gates derived lead guitars and the equally as done-to-death drumming style are both facepalm-worthy in this day and age and lets not start on the processed vocals.
These guys are selling product, its what they have to do as a band, its a shame that this particular product has hundreds of the exact same competitors who all peddle the same unimaginative drivel, and have been doing it for the same amount of time, and they should've been rethinking their ideas around the time their support acts started sounding strangely familiar.
That's sort of wrong to say really. You can't really put AILD with other metalcore bands solely because they're not that plain. I'm not quite sure how much you listen to the genre (I would assume that it's not too much considering your statements), but AILD is quite a different band.
They don't have your typical CHUG-CHUG-CHUG-DEEE-DEEEEE crap that you see most of these days. They have a certain style that has evolved over time. I certainly wouldn't say they're death metal, but I would put them among the sounds of Trivium, maybe less melodic.
But to say that this band falls in the same category that Of Mice & Men, Asking Alexandria, or any other "metalcore" band of that stature is just narrow-sighted.
I respect your opinion, I just disagree with it, haha.
i agree, i dont believe they belong in the category of OM&M or metalcore acts of that nature. they took the genre in a slightly different direction instrumentally while keeping and improving upon what is expected out of metalcore (clean vocals, breakdowns, ect)and i also dont know many metalcore bands that actually CAN or DO guitar solos
I like OM&M. I saw them twice at Warped Tour in the past and theyre very good. Nice stage presence. They hve a Bring Me The Horizon type of feel so thats why i dont think they should be classified into the same category as Asking Alexandria, whose lyrics consist of sex, drugs n alcohol. OM&M does not do that.
Also, more importantly, OM&M does not do the typical "chugging" crap all the time like AA typically does. Open note, palm muting, whatever. Like Moths to Flames, Emmure, and Attack Attack! are other examples of this.
We're not doubting their stage presence, friend. I'm sure its a fun show, but there's very little skill in what they do. Look at "Second and Sebring", their most popular song. You can't tell me there's anything special about the instrumentals there. It's a fine song, sure. Lyrics have great meaning behind them, yeah. But in general, the band is really nothing special when you look at them as a whole.
Don't worry about him, it's just an opinion. That being said man, EpiExplorer gives his opinion (trolls) literally almost every metal album I go to review or even check out on this website. He has the exact opposite opinion of whatever my take is on the album. But its so strange because we like some of the same artists, which makes very little sense since they tie into other bands like these. Oh well, that's life I guess. Anyway I felt this was a very solid album I may have an incoming review for it.
I've heard you go through this whole thing before, and didn't have much argument with it. Then I noticed, once in a great while, some of the crap you actually like.
Only the cheap stuff from a local take away. It is damn delicious all the same though. Spicier is not neccessarily better, a mild korma is always a good option too.
The best metalcore release of 2012? I like As I Lay Dying, but that is insane. Ex Lives blew this out of the water. I'm still not terribly sure about this album. The cleans are boring and all sound the same, and so many of the songs have them. I think they were a little too formulaic, but I'll wait til I've listened to the whole thing to pass judgment.
Ive listened through twice now and I must say it is a solid album. By no means amazing. The production was great, riffs, solos, etc. The only problem I do in fact have is the cleans, and such, as if they were wernt sure what direction they should have directed the music towards. The cleans do stand out tho, but I did notice big use of them. Its better at least...but yeah Ex Lives def stands at #1 at this place. I will say that I even thought Memphis May Fire's "Challenger" was better than this, and Shadows Fall's "Fire From The Sky".
Couldn't agree more with Mr. Epi on this one. Saying it's bad is wrong, and that's the case with a lot of other metalcore, but I have to agree that 'done-to-death' is the right term for it all.
It's a good metalcore album. Not their best, but way better than their last 2 (Powerless Rise, Decas). But ya kno, metalcore just isn't a great sub-genre IMO. That being said, AILD is the only metalcore band I listen to these days. Only MC band that does different songs on the record.
Not completely but it wouldn't be as popular as it has been. There are good MC bands like War of Ages, I'm just not into the sub-genre. But yea, really surprised this album was as good as it was.
It's not nearly the caliber as Ocean Between us, or The Powerless Rise. I found a lot of the songs on this album to kind of drone on or do drastic changes to trash riffs which I though weren't to great. However the songs they do get right are Awesome such as "A Greater Foundation", "Cauterize", and "Overcome". It sounded as if they couldn't decide whether or not to make this a Melodic, or Thrash Album. If you get get past a few songs it can be really good though, worth a listening to.
Did A Greater Foundation's chorus not totally just make you drop your jaw in awe? Just thought that whole weird clean lead riff was way out of left field in recent As I Lay Dying memories
Introduced to this band by a friend. Ever since hearing An Ocean Between Us I've been a huge fan, in fact, discovering this band has inspired me to attempt tougher songs on guitar a couple years ago and helped me get to the point that Im at today. The Powerless Rise was my favorite album of 2010, suffice to say that this album takes the cake for this year in my opinion tied with Mark Tremonti's side project Tremonti.
Can't we just appreciate how much better this band has gotten over the years? I can't even listen to Shadows are Security anymore because it's so damn boring and Clint's vocals were really ****ing emo compared to Josh's.
Compared to everything you hear these days, yeah it is pretty boring. That type of metal was just completely overdone by now, but at least at its time, it was still relatively new to the general metal crowd.
While they certainly fill every requirement of metalcore, I would argue that unearth and the aforementioned war of ages are better torch bearers of the genre. Not saying I dislike as I lay dying, as they're a solid group nonetheless if this is the style you're looking for. I just think they've kind of been spinning their tires recently. i would give the record a firm 7, which is about par for a good metalcore release these days. You get what you thought you would get, and nothing more or less.
Im a big fan of AILD, and this album totally did not fail, but i totally agree about giving this album a 7. Its certainly not their best work. Personally The Powerless Rise was my fav bc it kept my head rockin' all the way thru. Also, im not very fond of Unearth, nor am i fan of them, but i do respect them. WOA, however, i feel like im the only person whos a fan of metalcore who doesnt kno the band lol.
I never heard of them until a few years ago. It was one of those "related" artists on Pandora, and I remember checking the last few songs I had given a thumbs up and they were all war of ages. Lol. Not to be "that" guy, but I usually don't pay attention to any bands given a Christian label, so I'm glad I didn't know that prior to hearing them. Won me over based on the music itself and taught me a lesson about being open-minded. Good band.
To be honest An Ocean Between Us has been their biggest breakthrough which consists of all the elements of a brilliant album.. But when that album came out they switched bassists- Josh Gilbert pretty much only came in to lay down the clean vocals...he did not have such a big influence in the band at that time. But now through The Powerless Rise and Awakened he really shared his taste and it has become unique to AILD. I am a huge fan since I heard The Beginning from Frail Words Collapse for the first time. Awakened was not such a big release such as An Ocean Between Us but this is a flawless and brilliant album in my opinion. It is incredible to see these musicians grow as people, in their beliefs as well as musically.
What stands out for me especially is that almost from An Ocean Between Us throughout to Awakened is the almost change in the style of clean vocals. For me it is almost different in a way in every album. But the best thing is that they are not afraid to do what they feel because that is what it is all about- the music and not trying to please everybody. The change in clean vocals have been perfected in every album they have ever made which included clean vocals. There is nothing better than a vocal melody stuck in your head. I am a drummer so the drums on this album is extremely exciting and I can't wait to try out some tracks. Jordan Mancino really stepped it up with his playing with fast double bass sprints as well as blasting beyond my techniques-but is still able to emphasize the melody of the guitars and vocals. Though when I first heard Cauterize and A Greater Foundation, I expected a lot more fast paced blasts and double bass on the other tracks...so I was a bit disappointed.
Nevertheless- this album in my opinion is definitely one of their best literally to date Brutal yet melodic guitars and drums, Tim Lambesis' vocals have reached a range so far beyond their previous albums- have you heard his high screams!?!? Not even starting on the low brutal growls...
We have to stop comparing albums with albums.
People change-music change.
When I first heard Cauterize, I was afraid that this would be The Powerless Rise, Part II. Thank God it isn't. I loved The Powerless Rise, but why would I want to hear it again under a different title? Thank you AILD for not pulling a Killswitch Engage on us and releasing the same album 3 times in a row, but with a different title. Keep evolving.
Something that hasn't been mentioned... I actually really dig this album art. It's slightly Mastodon-esque (if the skull were a little different. I also like that the title is in like a 70's text.
y is everyone giving this cd a 7 or 8 i believe it deserves at least a 9 it was way more of a step up from the powerless rise lyrically and sound wise way more stronger in the producing department quit low rating this cd its amazing!!!
Really loving this album so far. As other have said, it seems that they are sticking true to their sound. MUCH better than the recent releases from All That Remains and BFMV.
One word for them is 'Consistent'. They stay strong in their line no matter what. And their talent is developing for every albums. Maybe this is not their best album, but i think this is the best album this year-so far (compared to BFMV and other).
Brutal yet melodic guitars and drums, Tim Lambesis' vocals have reached a range so far beyond their previous albums- have you heard his high screams!?!? Not even starting on the low brutal growls...