Awaken The Shadow look on the darker side of relationsships

These days Facebook is often a source of food for thought for me. One of those pictures that was shared there a while ago said:

"So many people that are together are not in love
so many people that love each other are not together."

Thinking about it this painfull reality first came to my mind. As ever so often I moved on with the daily stuff to do but just recently this topic came back to me when I heard the new single of the New York based band Awaken The Shadow.

Singer Taylor Paul pointed out about the meaning of the track: “The Hunter is from the point of view of someone who may or may not realize they are in an abusive relationship, be it mentally or physically. The idea that you’re so in love with this person that you can’t see yourself ever leaving, but at the same time knowing this person could be poison. All the while your significant other is always on the hunt looking for their own self-gratification, and doing whatever is necessary to keep their partner mentally caged."

In addition to the lyrics I feel that the production on this one is somewhat special. The vocals as well as all the instrumental parts in the song go through so many variations that it needs some time to get through the many song layers and moods they represent completeley. It's massive what band's put inside of their music these days. It's becoming more dedicated than ever.

The cover of the debut record "Life Beyond The Curse", (c) by Awaken The Shadow, used with kind permission

"The Hunter" is taken from Awaken The Shadows debut album "Life Beyond the Curse" which has been released on March 11th. The 12 track full length was self recorded, self produced and mixed by Ali Hassan (the bass player of the band) and mastered by UE Nastasi at Sterling Sound. If you'd like to buy the album head over to the band's mech store for a CD or click on to iTunes for a mp3 download.

Make sure to follow the band further on via their website, Facebook or Twitter.

Strangelet hitting the road 2015

In the very first days of 2015 I discovered a young band called "Strangelet". I remember it was a very cold day I heard and saw the video for "Privilege of Power" on the screen and was immediately blown away. This brandnew band provided this feeling of a typical hungry underground band that is going straight to the heart with it's direct and raw power.

What me amazed even more was the fact that the band produced the whole album "First Bite" on their own (except for the mastering) and that the sound comes in crashing as a full blown, professionell production. I think that's besides all the other stuff that bands have to fight with something not too many acts come around with. But you can easily check out the quality of the band for yourselves in the video below.


In the time since those days the band was able to do a couple of shows and will do some more in 2015. You can see them on the following dates here in southern germany.

(c) by Strangelet, used with kind permission

If you would like to buy a copy of their album "First Bite" for 10 Euro you can contact them at their website or Facebook page. After all I know: I'm tainted forever. ;-)

Update 2015/09/18: The band currently is taking part in a online voting for a slot on this years  METAL HAMMER PARADISE Festival (13.11.2015) featuring acts like "Helloween", "J.B.O.", "Black Label Society", "Destruction", "At The Gates", "Rage" and "Sepultura". Please take a minute and support them by voting for Strangelet. Your vote could really help to push the band further on their way. Thanks!