Awake the Dreamer - Damaged Souls (2019)

AWAKE THE DREAMER is here! The Swedish Post-Hardcore band first formed in late 2015, and just two years later ended up releasing a single titled “Vigilant”. Fast forward another year and the band drops the single “Believe” and both are met with some really astonishing reviews. Jump forward another year and here we are with both singles on the debut album titled “Damaged Souls” that’s set to release in the fall of 2019 via Arising Empire.

The first track I want to talk about is “Atmosphere”. It’s the second song on the record and it is featuring vocalist Ryo Kinoshita of Japanese Metalcore band CRYSTAL LAKE. The hard hitting drums and unbelievable guitar work gives it that perfect amount of Djent and Metalcore sound fueled by both vocalists behind the verses and breakdowns that leaves you with your jaw dropped at the end. “Far Away” leans more towards the Post-Hardcore sound with its melodic vocals and catchy hooks but still reminds you that they have the Metalcore influence inside of them.

One of the songs I mentioned at the top titled “Believe” is the fourth track on here and it is met with a satisfying blend of passionate mid screams and calming clean vocals that will give you the urge to just sing along to the lyrics. “Lunar” will make you feel like you are at one of their shows with how Max Andren delivers his vocals with such intensity and emotion, as his band mates rage on behind him. It is absolutely an astounding track.” Vigilant” is featuring front man Robert Ljung of Swedish Metalcore band ADEPT and the track consists of the two vocalists performing nearly flawless together. So much in fact that I hope they collaborate together again in the near future. The ending track titled “Negative filters” brings this high energy album to a close with its isolated singing at the beginning of the track and the dissonance guitar chords throughout. A perfect ending to the ten track ride that AWAKE THE DREAMER just took you through.

“Damaged Souls” in my opinion is one of the best albums in the genre released this year. It is hard to believe that this is only their debut album and the fact that they only formed in 2015. It’s no surprise that AWAKE THE DREAMER is on their way towards the top with their distinguishing styles of Metalcore, Djent, and Post-Hardcore all mixed together. I promise you won’t be disappointed with this record.

TRACKLIST

1. Awake the Dreamer - Damaged Souls
2. Awake the Dreamer;Ryo Kinoshita - Atmosphere
3. Awake the Dreamer - Far Away
4. Awake the Dreamer - Believe
5. Awake the Dreamer - Blood Red Fists
6. Awake the Dreamer - Lunar
7. Awake the Dreamer - Your Mind
8. Awake the Dreamer - Liberation
9. Awake the Dreamer;Robert Ljung - Vigilant
10. Awake the Dreamer - Negative Filters