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CartAs I Lay Dying "Awakened" Album Review — 5 out of 5 stars
Mon, 24 Sep 2012 07:26:41
"I choose to risk it all for you," growls As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis on "Cauterize" the first single from the band's sixth full-length, Awakened.
Lambesis and co. put it all on the line here, and it's more than worth it. The group continues to evolve, while preserving the vicious face-smashing that made them one of the 21st century's most influential and important metal outfits. There's no shortage of taut and tough thrash from guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa. The duo temper guttural triplet grooves with entwining melodies on the likes "Wasted Words" and "No Lungs to Breathe". Meanwhile, "Overcome" commences with an eerie acoustic melody that seamlessly crescendos into more dangerous territory. When they bust into solos, it's head-spinning heavy bliss.
Jordan Mancino lays back on a big groove for "Defender" that's perfectly countered by Josh Gilbert's bass. At the eye of this perfect storm, Lambesis ruminates on life with his inimitable clean croon and oppressively beautiful scream. Everything culminates on "Tear Out My Eyes". It clearly evinces the chops of each member with one of the band's biggest hooks ever at the center.
At the end of the day, As I Lay Dying’s Awakened blazes to life with brilliant melodies and bludgeoning grooves. Honing their patented sound into a tighter and more technical monster than before, the band have crafted their best album yet. It’s a high watermark for modern metal, and it’s going to wake up the entire genre.
The risk was well worth it.
—Rick Florino
09.24.12
Are you excited for Awakened? Will you be picking it up on September 25?
Watch our exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the band here!
