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Band: The Awakening
Album title: Anthology XV
Release date: 27th April 2013
Label: Intervention Arts
Tracklisting:
01. The Sound Of Silence (2013)
02. Descent (Chrome Mix)
03. Indian Summer Rain (VX)
04. Angelyn (2013)
05. Fault
06. Beneath Your Feet
07. Razors Burn (XV)
08. Upon the Water (xv)
09. Nothing Like The Rain (XV)
10. Mirror Tricks (XV)
11. My World (Apocalyptic Version)
12. Eve (Wish Version XV)
13. The Dark Romantics (XV)
14. Rain (XV)
15. Maree (XV)
16. Before I Leap (XV)
17. The March (Single Mix XV)
18. Vampyre Girl (2013)
19. Standing (Axial Version)
20. Martyr (2013)
21. Amethyst (Live Piano Version XV)
It seems that the years pass by so quickly and like in a blink of an eye also formerly South African, now North American band The Awakening reached its 15th birthday. And what better thing than this compilation could this band, masterminded by Ashton Nyte, offer to their fans and supporters who reached quite an enviable number? The Awakening released so far eight albums and a bounch of singles and EPs which anchored their enigmatic mixture of gothic rock, darkwave and gothic metal in the hearts of many gothsters. On this compilation, Anthology XV, The Awakening gathered together 21 songs, two of them are brand new tracks and 19 are those most significant tracks from their career. Each song has been reworked, re-recorded or remixed, so all the tracks gained even more contemporary feeling.
If you haven't felt in love with Ashtons emotive romantic deep baritone voice and great heart-breaking melodies of the band before, than this time even more polished, deep and heavy sound must do the thing. I believe that it's not a coincidence that the cover version of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound Of Silence" (originally released on bands debut Risen in 1997) is the opener, as in the new suits this track makes such a huge impact with its much heavier and clean production. Not to mention how intense and deep is melodic semi-ballad "Angelyn" (from Darker Than Silence, 2004) with much more emphasis on heavy guitars, or another hit track with amazing heart rendering refrain "Razors Burn" (Razor Burn, 2006). Than gothic rocker "Upon The Water" (Tales Of Absolution + Obsoletion, 2009), emotional ballad "My World" (Roadside Heretics, 2002) or danceable gothy classic "The Dark Romantics" (The Fourth Seal Of Zeen, 2000), gloomy metalic "Vampyre Girl" (Sacrificial Etchings, 2003) and the list should go on and on as each of featured songs on this compilation is something special and a must for each gothster. No matter if you like classic gothic rock, more harsh gothic metal, melancholic ballads, epic compositions, "love" metal things ala HIM or goth & roll in the vein of The 69 Eyes, if you are a fan of Type O Negative or Diary Of Dreams kind of stuff or even some electronics and industrial beats, The Awakening are a band for you, as they've mastered to make kind a special blend of all things goth music can offer.
New or previously unreleased songs, hard driving "Fault" and balladic "Beneath Your Feet" are modern compositions and are showing how the next steps could be taken on bands upcoming ninth album that should see its release very soon. No matter what, The Awakening reached in their career a solid position within the realm of dark music with their addictive melodies, captivating and romantic refrains, great atmospheric, yet gloomy synths and a overall melancholic vibe. If you are already a fan of the band you'll get with this compilation a new insight into some already great songs. If this is your first time that you've heard about them, then this is a good start to get into their heavenly soundscapes. Still this comes only as a high quality digital download release and I would really like to see it on a physical edition. Nevertheless, Anthology XV is a monument of high quality and supreme gothic music that shouldn't be overlooked as it is one of the best compilations from a band released in last years.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: N/A
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