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[Metallus Maximus]

Metallus Maximus � Maximus Archivus � Classic Album Of The Day Archive (Moderator: Hellboy)
Classic Album Of The Day 11/13/08: DREAM THEATER - Awake

[Pelata]

1. 6:00
2. Caught In A Web
3.Innocence Faded
4. Erotomania
5. Voices
6. The Silent Man
7. The Mirror
8. Lie
9. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
10. Scarred
11. Space-Dye Vest

Released in 1994, this album marked founding member Kevin Moore's departure from the band. The album showed no lack of quality or effort as this is, I believe, DREAM THEATER's defining moment. The heaviest album they've ever done, IMO. The vocal melodies are intense and the musicianship is stunning. "Erotomania" remains one of the bands most amazing instrumental songs. "Scarred" (not featured on the cassette version) is one of the band's most underrated/unrecognized moments of brilliance. There is not  bad song to be found. Hearing this album makes me miss Kevin Moore's presence in the band because he was the cerebral, left-of-center atmosphere of the band and his absence, while not harming the band's ability to create great music, left a hole (much like Neal Morse being absent from SPOCK'S BEARD...you can "feel" it). Musically, lyrically, instrumentally, this album is near-perfect in both depth and vibe.

All hail Awake!! 

[The True Fortress]

Can't find too much to criticize with this one. It's likely no higher than third or fourth on my fave Dream Theater album list, but this isn't taking anything away from it. James still sounds decent, too.

I agree with your comments regarding Kevin's no longer being in the band.

[Pelata]

Kevin brought a certain vibe that, IMO, they've yet to recapture (although they try hard at times). It's not so much his technical ability...Derek & Jordan are technical powerhouses...it was his "presence" in terms of choice of notes and the way he put words together and the way he constructed his music...a whole other atmosphere.

[Venom]

very good album, but not their heaviest either.  Train of Thought has that distinction.  This album ranks in their top 5 for me but for sure not in the top 3 most likely 4th or 5th.

[Pelata]

very good album, but not their heaviest either.  Train of Thought has that distinction.  This album ranks in their top 5 for me but for sure not in the top 3 most likely 4th or 5th.

For me, ToT had more distortion, tried to me more "metal", but Awake was much heavier...but, of course, TETO...

[ALF]

Excellent CD and depending on the day my second or third favourite DT album.

A highly underrated CD. 

[Klschmann]

This and Scenes are the only two DT albums I listen to anymore.  Such a great album.

[mak28]

Absolutely brilliant.  For me, this was the only time they were able to fully meld melody, musicianship, and atmosphere within the structure of fantastic songs.  Scenes had the songs, had the melody, the musicianship but not the atmosphere.  As such, this album is flawless and marks the pinnacle of the band's career.  For me they never were the same before nor after.  Kevin's presence was immediately felt and bit by bit they lost their art.  It's a once in a lifetime album and funny enough, after all these years, it's their best sounding album.  The production is stunning!  It's lush, crisp and has great depth and separation.  If only Train of Thought could have been captured like this instead of it's rough, cold and at times, muddy mix.  That depth and clarity is what gives this its heaviness.

[Pelata]

Absolutely brilliant.  For me, this was the only time they were able to fully meld melody, musicianship, and atmosphere within the structure of fantastic songs.  Scenes had the songs, had the melody, the musicianship but not the atmosphere.  As such, this album is flawless and marks the pinnacle of the band's career.  For me they never were the same before nor after.  Kevin's presence was immediately felt and bit by bit they lost their art.  It's a once in a lifetime album and funny enough, after all these years, it's their best sounding album.  The production is stunning!  It's lush, crisp and has great depth and separation.  If only Train of Thought could have been captured like this instead of it's rough, cold and at times, muddy mix.  That depth and clarity is what gives this its heaviness.

 

[Hellboy]

  Awake is pure prog-metal genius!

This is one of those albums you need to listen in it's entirety to fully appreciate it's magnitude.
Images & Words and Awake are by far my two favourite DT releases, the band really gelled and created something truly special on those 2 albums. Sadly, the band kinda lost it's way without Kevin Moore's contribution. Since then it became the "Portnoy & Petrucci project".
Lots of parallels to draw with the Ulrich & Hetfield project but I don't feel like going there right now... 

[The True Fortress]

Kevin brought a certain vibe that, IMO, they've yet to recapture (although they try hard at times). It's not so much his technical ability...Derek & Jordan are technical powerhouses...it was his "presence" in terms of choice of notes and the way he put words together and the way he constructed his music...a whole other atmosphere.

Well put.

[Metal_King]

Love it! Love it!

But, I think their peis de resistance is Images and Words. 

[Venom]

Love it! Love it!

But, I think their peis de resistance is Images and Words. 

THis man knows his shit!

[Metal_King]

Love it! Love it!

But, I think their peis de resistance is Images and Words. 

THis man knows his shit!

Careful...I could also be a fraud. 

[Venom]

Love it! Love it!

But, I think their peis de resistance is Images and Words. 

THis man knows his shit!

Careful...I could also be a fraud. 

I would call you on it if you were!!