Awake

Technically it's an immensely intricate (if not slightly show-offy) type record, with lots of aggressively nerdy prog metal moments sprinkled to confuse and astound metal listeners everywhere. And the cheese from the last record (while still being here in full cheese mode) is much more suppressed, and some genuinely emotional tracks show themselves on this particular record. And, surprisingly, it's got some catchy melodies and a much bigger sense of groove. However, it does tend to drag a bit near the end (and does an album that's already an hour in length need a 6 minute instrumental? it's very well played but couldn't you just have this be a jam?). It also doesn't have that much to pull me back into the record once its started, and it's mostly a boring and sludgy listen. It's a good record at heart, but it's a far cry from being a great record, at lest in my eyes. It also killed my interest for this group.

Favorite Jams: Voices, Innocence Faded, Lie

Lest Favorite: Erotomania