On Caliban's sixth release, The Awakening, it seems that this German metalcore/thrash band have finally started putting all the pieces together. Sure, albums like The Undying Darkness, The Opposite From Within, and Shadow Hearts all had their moments, but much of Caliban's music just seemed to wallow in the wake of band's like Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, and As I Lay Dying. Here on The Awakening, the band has upped the ante on the brutality, injecting these songs with more than a fair share of kick ass heavy riffs and smashing rhythms, but there's also a great deal of melody fused into these metal jackhammers as well. Listen to the killer kick off piece "I Will Never Let You Down", complete with some seriously memorable hooks amidst those pummeling riffs, or the soaring harmonies that pop up on the otherwise crushing "My Time Has Come". Lead shouter Andreas Dorner can really scorch the earth with the best of the metalcore crop, but the guy also has a really sweet melodic side to him as well. The riffs however, courtesy of Marc Gortz and Denis Schmidt, are thick and raging, pounding the listener senseless through such bruising numbers like "Another Cold Day", "Life Is Too Short", and "Give Me a Reason". It's this mix of melody and crunch that ultimately helps The Awakening rise above many of the other metalcore releases that we've heard this year.
Track Listing
1. I Will Never Let You Down
2. Let Go
3. Another Cold Day
4. My Time Has Come
5. Life Is Too Short
6. Give Me A Reason
7. Stop Running
8. The Awakening
9. I Believe...
10. Rise And Fight
11. Nowhere To Run, No Place To Hide
12. I'll Show No Fear
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