EP REVIEW: I Am More – Awakening Sun

AWAKENING SUN are by no means fresh out of the oven; with a string of releases to their name they have been studiously climbing the ladder of the independent scene since 2011. Whilst they maybe haven’t received as much appraisal for their efforts as other outfits on the circuit, it feels like things are starting to slot into place for the Dutch/Lithuanian quartet. They have been snapped up by Seek and Strike Records and are on the verge of releasing their latest effort entitled I Am More which is out on October 6th. Will this help kickstart them into the spotlight?

Roses offers a powerful mixture of swift riffing, melodic tones and commanding growls to provide a solid opener. The dramatic narrative assists in reeling you in pretty quickly. Someone Else possesses a dark, foreboding presence which dives straight into a barrage of crushing blast beats. The hard-hitting nature combined with immersive atmospherics is an effective pairing, and the additional lead work adds that extra polish to the track.

Deep Cut keeps the momentum flowing with a buoyant, energetic tempo and a distinct aggression running through its veins. The vibrant chorus segment adds an intriguing dynamic. Vicious Circle comes equipped with plentiful grooves and snappy drum beats in which is sure to be a certified crowd pleaser if they bring it along for the ride. I Am More opts for a more methodical, stomping pace that still contains flourishes of slick shredding. It may not be the most explosive piece of this collective but it ticks the necessary boxes.

I Am More blends modern metalcore with the gritty fury of old school nu-metal to create an enticing showcase. Whilst every song is a strong contender in its own right this release as a whole still feels like an explorative venture where AWAKENING SUN are testing the waters to see which piece is most favourable. It will be intriguing to see the collective reactions when everyone gets their hands on it.

Rating: 7/10

I Am More is set for release on October 6th via Seek and Strike.

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