Awakened follows pretty much the same formula they've used on their last (and best) two records An Ocean Between Us and The Powerless Rise. There's catchy melodic riffs, thrash-influenced solos and great hooks galore along with an occasional, well-timed breakdown that brings shame to most other bands faux-brOOtal breakdowns. As I Lay Dying really has their style of old-school metalcore down to a science by now and it never sounds stale or phoned in for even a second. Of course there is some variations on their typical sound. This is probably their heaviest record since Shadows Are Security as well as their most melodic effort to date. Tracks like "Resilience", "A Greater Foundation", and "Wasted Words" are absolute crushers and "Overcome", "Whispering Silence", and "My Only Home" some off their more tame, melody-based side. Both sides of As I Lay Dying's sound are brilliant approached and executed and the moments when they converge that Awakened reaches it's highest points (The finest of which is in the mid-section of the aforementioned "Wasted Words").
Awakened is another great release from As I Lay Dying. You know exactly what your getting with As I Lay Dying and they are just too damn good what they do to disappoint. Their consistency is a big reason they became and remain an iconic band in the metalcore genre. Tim Lambesis is still a monstrous vocalist (Sometimes I forget just how good he is, but this album provided a hell of a refresher course), Nick Hipa/Phil Sgrosso are still riff machines that can shred with the best of them and Jordan Mancino is still a beast behind the kit. As I Lay Dying has stuck to their guns and haven't a lost step yet (nor do they show any signs of slowing down). Let's hope it stays that way forever.
4/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Wasted Words
2.Overcome
3.Resilience
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