We seem to be hearing a lot of good music coming from Australia these days. Rising from the ashes of ‘Sleepers’, Awaken I Am have grown a following having supported a number of Australia’s biggest touring bands including The Amity Affliction, Closure in Moscow and Parkway Drive. Now, nearly four years after ‘Resonance’, their debut EP, the progressive post-hardcore five piece are back with a full length record, ‘Shields and Crowns’.
Within the first minute of opener ‘Divisions’, the group hit the ground running with rapid drums, powerful riffs and Adam Douglas’ instantly infectious voice. It’s immediate how crisp and impressive the record’s production is. It’s a credit to the producer that one of the albums greatest strength lies in it’s tones.
Like the previous mentioned groups, Awaken I Am’s ace in the hole is also their frontman. Douglas packs the album with memorable hooks and catchy melodies that are sure to remain in your ears for weeks to come. Even when the talented and recognizable pipes of Jonny Craig (Slaves/Emarosa/Dance Gavin Dance) pops up on album highlight ‘The Depths’, Douglas’ voice matches his with ease. Sure some may struggle with the falsetto runs possibly finding it irritable by the end of the record’s running time. However those who are fond of the likes of Bradley Walden (Emarosa) and Trenton Woodley (Hands Like Houses) will find much to enjoy in his performance.
While the Australian five piece channel the epic post-hardcore sound developed by the previously mentioned bands, their similarities to the other groups in the genre highlights ‘Shields and Crowns’ major weakness. While you have your classic breakdown tracks including ‘The Onlooker’ and melodic choruses in ‘The Channeling’ and ‘Landslides’, these are standard tropes of recent post-hardcore records. Even the included electronic elements sound like a nod to ‘Number[s]’ by Woe, Is Me.
While Awaken I Am may currently lack the unique elements that separate them from the pack, there is no doubt that this is an impressive debut record. With a step in a more unique direction, Awaken I Am could have a chance of reaching new heights in a scene desperate for a bit of originality.
MICHAEL WHITING