Artist: Awake Album: Illumination Label: Lion Music Website: http://www.awakemusic.net Reviewer: Paulo André

Track List: 01. Disbelief 02. Retribution 03. Crime of Passion 04. Choices in Time 05. Begin Again 06. The price you have to pay 07. Dream within 08. Illumination 09. Forgiven now forever 10. My last goodbye 11. Shadows Awake rise from the ashes of Humanity and hail from the United Kingdom. "Illumination" is their debut album under the new moniker and while there's enough interesting stuff in here to keep the general metal fan happy, it just never gets really progressive, so be warned. This is an album that gets heavy and mellow in adequate proportions but somehow lacks in feeling. Produced by Tom S. Englund, singer, guitarist and composer for Swedish band Evergrey, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth that this album had to sound so much like Evergrey themselves. I wonder how the production of this record went and how much of Englund's hand is actually involved in the music itself. While sounding similar to Evergrey may not be a bad thing, given the sheer quality of those guys, with "Illumination" Awake lack the character and intensity which doesn't help them rise out of their strong Evergrey influence. Forgetting for a minute that Evergrey exists, though, "Illumination" is not a bad album per se, at all. It opens strongly with "Disbelief", not letting go until this and the next three tracks are done with. "Retribution" actually has a nice acoustic guitar interlude while all the groove is going and that's a definite plus. Had this album more moments like that, it would definitely stand out. But wait, who is this guy singing? Don't tell me Englund not only produced, he also sings! No, indeed it's not him, but Simon Shedwell's delivery is so similar sometimes that I couldn't help but wonder. Of course when compared to Englund he lacks emotion but that's understandable, is it not? Hard to beat that Swede on that particular department, as far as I'm concerned. Oh and sorry for breaching the no-Evergrey agreement there. In any case, "Begin Again" halts the proceedings being a nice soothing and, shall we say, beautiful ballad. "The Price You Have To Pay" and any other tracks with prevalent keyboards definitely bring Kevin Moore's era Dream Theater to mind and actually make the tracks more interesting as they really work. The strongest track, for this humble reviewer, may well be "My Last Goodbye". It doesn't get proggier than this on this record and what starts as a very slow mellow tune soons shifts into higher gear with lots of mood changes, beautiful melodies and lovely piano playing to top it all off at the end. That's the best Awake sound to me on this album. A word should be said about Englund's production. It's fantastic. I have no remarks about it. Hopefully Awake will retain this sound quality while at the same break free of the Evergrey vibe. If they do, I sense these guys have chops and talent enough to make very good albums in the future. Band: Simon Shedwell - Vocals Richard Hall - Guitar Chris Le Mottee - Bass Alex Townsend - Drums Craig Burkett - Keyboards