It’s definitely going to be something the I hold close in my own grieving process. This EP actually came at quite an appropriate time for me personally, dealing with a death of a close loved one at the same time as Beauty In Tragedy ’s release.
Being aware of the context in which this record was created, it’s clear it was an important part of the band’s process in grieving and moving on whilst paying tribute to a life lost. Various tracks have combined digitally produced synth-pop sounds with beautiful instrumental composition and control, encompassing a broader sound, and I love it. The whole record is so catchy and memorable, even just after first listen. This being the first multi-track record with newer vocalist Jimmy Stevenson, not to mention the challenge of continuing after losing much loved guitarist Connor, the band definitely had new factors and difficulties to work with. Having reviewed Awaken I Am once before (for their live show with US band Picturesque at the Evelyn in 2018) and being a fairly recent (but huge) fan myself, I was more than ready and willing to give this one a go. Intricate yet powerful” – LEMONADE “Synth-based pop-rock with some post-hardcore influence” – PURE GRAIN AUDIO “Their most unexpected, most experimental and diverse release to date” – FORTE “Grooving beats, atmospheric melodies, gentle bubbling melody climbs Awaken I Am to their rightful place” – DEPTH “One of the scene’s newest acts that everyone should pay attention to”– BUFFALO STATE RECORD “10 electronic, hard-edged anthems blasting with up-tempo mainstream rock”– MERIDEN RECORD JOURNAL “Shimmers with atmosphere, sky-high vocal hooks, and a seductive curveball” – ROCK SOUND “Super energetic catchy metal-pop”– HEAVY “A band that deserves to be catapulted into the spotlight”– KILL YOUR STEREO “Fresh and exhilarating, melodic and soothing, emotional and difficult with levels of storytelling grace” – NEW NOISE “One of the glossiest, immaculately preened entries into this scene” – SOUND BOARD “A cinematic album that’ll see them enter top-tier echelon of heavy music”– HYSTERIA “A sonic masterpiece filled with layered soundscapes. Having someone who did not mean anything to Connor would have been probably one of the hardest things to adapt to.”’
“Having Jay here makes it the best thing in the world as a result of the most horrible situation. “ Jay was very close with Connor,” says bassist Ryan Oxford. Recording this album was a chance to be sad, angry, confused and try to find a way to come to terms with the grief the best we can through music.” Longtime friend (and sometimes fill-in for the band), Jay Sibthorpe, stepped in to record the new tracks. On the EP’s title, McKenzie adds, “Through all of the pain our goal was to take a completely tragic situation and make something beautiful from it which brought about the name The Beauty In Tragedy. We shared the same dream with him and we hope to make him proud by keeping that dream alive with The Beauty In Tragedy.” Beauty. Drummer Luke McKenzie divulges, “’ Dissolution’ was the last track we had the privilege of recording with Connor, he was so proud of it. Some directed towards their fallen brother, others at the responsible party – those songs from those sessions proved to be both cathartic and inspiring.
Apart from two songs written before his passing, all the titles entirely focus as a tribute to Oakley. Following the accident, the remaining members of AWAKEN I AM dove straight into the writing/recording process with producer Taylor Larson (The Word Alive, Asking Alexandria). While in the US, the band was able to cut “Dissolution,” sadly the final recording starring Oakley (released April 30, 2018). On the morning of May 15, guitarist Connor Verner-Oakley’s 24-year-old life was cut short by the hands of an intentional reckless driver, whose unsuccessful attempt took the wrong life. As their first US tour came to a close in March of 2018, tragedy struck AWAKEN I AM on their home soil in Brisbane, Australia.
0 kommentar(er)
