The saviours of British progressive metal and The English Evergrey Are just some of the things the reviewers are saying about Awake these days. With their 2nd Album 'Ilumination' set for release later this year, they are ever more so being referred to as the ones to watch. A strong mix of melodic vocal melodies and Powerful song arrangements, they are set to be one of the next great bands on the metal circuit
In the beginning:-
Awake began in the summer of 2000, in their home town of Cambridge, England. At that time and until June of 2006 they were known as HUMANITY. Formed by the original six members Simon Shedwell, Steve Wallace, Richard Hall, Alex Townsend, Craig Burkett and bassist John Neil. Who only lasted three months with the band. Being replaced by a close friend in current bass player Chris Le Mottee. With their big live sound and energetic stage show they quickly gained a reputation on the local circuit for being a very professional live act. A reputation they constantly strive to improve .. two demos and two years of playing around the country, they decided that if they were to move on in a market which at the time was not geared up for metal bands, they were going to need help! In the spring of 2003 they came across a local band manager Keith Bryant of Killin Time Management. After sending him the two early demos, Keith saw a raw potential in the band a quickly jumped on board to represent the boys. A brave move for any manager being that their average age was still only 18. With his enthusiasm and love for the music Humanity were starting to move...
When silence Calls you on!
It was time for the band to record there first Album and after looking at a number of studios Keith took them to Mastertone studios in Cheshire, England. Recorded and mixed by legendry engineer Pete Pee-Wee Colman who had previously worked with AC/DC, Napalm Death and Paradise Lost, the band recorded there Debut album When Silence Calls. It was whilst recording that studio owners Andy Bramhall and Graham Woodcock were amazed by the maturity of there music, and decided to sign them to there newly formed record label Carbon 13 Records. When Silence Calls was released in 2004 with a warm welcome in Europe and
the UK. Receiving a solid 8/10 across the board from the reviewers. After a tour of the UK and festival appearances at home and in Germany, they were slowly getting people to listen. But disaster struck in 2005 when there record label managers had a personal dispute and sent the company into liquidation. Leaving them without a record deal!
So its off to Sweden then
For a lot of bands this would have been a fatal blow, but at still only 20 years old there was still work to be done!
In the Summer of 2005 Humanity played at the first Bloodstock open air, on the bill with the likes of Masterplan, Paradise Lost, Breed 77 and Children of Bodem. Also on the bill that day were Swedish Metal giants Evergrey. A contact they would later fine very useful. In order to get the band a new deal manager Keith Bryant knew they would first have to record a new album and sell it to a label. So when it came to deciding where to record they went to the top of the pile. After meeting Evergrey Singer/Guitarist Tom.s.Englund at BOA Keith contacted Division One studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. With an aim to recording the new album there. Tom not only agreed to record, but offered to produce the album! As vocalist Simon Shedwell said in a recent interview, I tell you nothing is better than that! So in spring 2006 Humanity were off to Sweden. Produced by Tom Englund and engineered by their own Arnold Lindburg, they recorded 'Illumination' an album of 11 exciting new tracks which sees them moving away from the progressive licks of the 1st album, to a more straight forward heavier sound. Much to the pleasure of the band. we've all grown as musicians and song writers, ''Its a much more commercial album'' Guitarist Richard Hall comments. With Tom contributing Backing vocals and Evergrey guitarist Hendrik Danhage lending a solo to the track Forgiven now Forever 'Illumination' Will certainty gain them a wider audience.
However there would be one more bump in the road to come. Over the 8 months leading to recording the new album relations with long term guitarist Steve Wallace began to break down. In March of 2006 Steve was asked to leave the band
Time for Rebirth!
As Simon and Richard explain ''It was a very hard decision to make, Steve was our best friend and brother for many years, But he was no longer able to do the job at a professional level'' Humanity saw Steves exit from the band as a perfect time for a rebirth. Which would become the theme for the new album. By changing their name and continuing on as a five piece, they would wash away the bad experiences of the past and start afresh. Now known as AWAKE, with Tom Englund's help they are working to secure a new record deal and release the new album on the world.
I've bought your Illumination CD, have not stopped playing it yet. Fantastic song writing. So where can I hear more songs??? Hope to hear how the rest of the tour went. When are you gonna being doing a gig in Bristol??????? keep up the amazing work. xx
Loved you guys. will you be making a small blog about your tour this week & when are you coming the bristol way again?? gotta see u again, don't leave it to long. x
