Awaken
Tennessee is well known for bands that have gotten their start in this southeastern state especially in the Nashville, Tennessee area which is often called-the Music Capital of the World. The up and coming band 'Awaken' now joins the ranks with band members hailing from Clarksville, TN.
Awaken formed back in 2012 and offer up some killer, modern day Hard Rock that, fans of the genre, can easily embrace. Awaken's music style is more than accessible with just one listen- sporting top of the line production and plenty of punch throughout. The band shares similarities with some other well known acts such as Breaking Benjamin, RED, Matchbox Twenty, and Sevendust, just to mention a few.
Awaken has shared the stage with many national acts such as Pop Evil, Adelitas Way, 10 Years, Red along with many others and are quickly making a name for themselves in the music industry.
Some bands that Awaken members list a personal favorites include Adelitas Way, 10 Years, Eye Empire, Chevelle, Sent By Ravens, TFK, Love and Death, Sevendust, Chevelle, Anberlin, and the list goes on...
Awaken formed back in 2012 and offer up some killer, modern day Hard Rock that, fans of the genre, can easily embrace. Awaken's music style is more than accessible with just one listen- sporting top of the line production and plenty of punch throughout. The band shares similarities with some other well known acts such as Breaking Benjamin, RED, Matchbox Twenty, and Sevendust, just to mention a few.
Awaken has shared the stage with many national acts such as Pop Evil, Adelitas Way, 10 Years, Red along with many others and are quickly making a name for themselves in the music industry.
Some bands that Awaken members list a personal favorites include Adelitas Way, 10 Years, Eye Empire, Chevelle, Sent By Ravens, TFK, Love and Death, Sevendust, Chevelle, Anberlin, and the list goes on...
In 2012, Awaken exploded onto the Hard Rock scene with their debut full-length release 'Broken Circle'. They quickly captured the attention of Rock fans with their infectious AOR hard hitting sound. Yes, I can easily see various tunes off this album being played on any Rock orienten-radio station with them charting high. This debut release was recorded independently in the band's own studio and produced by Grammy nominated & Dove award winning producer Travis Wyrick (P.O.D, 10 Years, Disciple).
The album's cover art conveys a message which is an invitation to abandon the mundane style of living and truly break out of the circle.
The album's cover art conveys a message which is an invitation to abandon the mundane style of living and truly break out of the circle.
With tracks like “The Narrow Door”, “Silent Alibi”, and “Fathom”, all featuring Trevor McNevon from the well known act 'Thousand Foot Krutch', one can easily see how Awaken is gaining momentum and respect as more and more fans discover this talented Tennessee act.
Vocalist Chad Griffin quickly draws you into the music with plenty of hooks along with a delivery style that reminds of such Vocalist as Rob Thompson(Matchbox Twenty). Some of the Vocals are coupled with Death growls adding more flavor and intensity.
There are two shredders for Awaken, with guitars raised high, we have RL Waters & Dustin Simpson who both do a fine job with accompaniment and adding heaviness to this debut.
The percussionists for the band include both Christian Santiago-Bass & Jimmy Wilkins-Drums who both hold up their end in their efforts to keep it heavy 'n Rockn'.
Some tracks capture your attention with there lyrical content like "The Narrow Door" which is refering to Jesus Christ as stated in Matthew:
Matthew 7:13
"Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it."
"Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it."
Then there's the tune"Inertia" which speaks of the necessity to not give into temptation because we are all in a spiritual battle with the enemy and his legions. "The Passerby", which infuses some techno into its arrangements not unlike 'Fivestar Prophet', conveys a message to go out and share the gospel with others that pass you by. Also, there's the track "Darkness Disappears" which deals with the subject of suicide letting the troubled individual know that the Light is there to comfort and save them from this broken world as found in the following passage:
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Lyrics are evangelical and thought provoking from track to track as one can see here:
"The Narrow Door"
For so long I've held on to things that shouldn't be a part of me
I want to let go and become who I'm supposed to be
You have given me that chance,
I must keep a stronger stance
When I'm surrounded by reflections of my history
I can give everything I hold inside,
But I can never give enough tonight
As I reach through the darkness toward the light
I'm not consumed by selfishness, cause it was you that gave me life
Emotions fall all around us when we try to do things on our own
Struggles lead to emptiness when we feel all alone
I can see the narrow door, I can't do this any more
Take the burdens that have kept me planted on the floor
I can give everything I hold inside,
But I can never give enough tonight
As I reach through the darkness toward the light
I'm not consumed by selfishness, cause it was you that gave me life
(I won't take this pressure any more)
(God won't leave us in these hallways without an opening)
I can never give enough, I can never give enough
I can never give enough, you keep breaking me down inside
I can never give enough
I can never give enough, with you I'm no longer dead inside
I can never give enough
I can give everything I hold inside,
But I can never give enough tonight
As I reach through the darkness toward the light
I'm not consumed by selfishness, cause it was you that gave me life
I could never give enough, (you that gave me life)
You keep breaking me down inside (can never give enough)
For so long I've held on to things that shouldn't be a part of me
I want to let go and become who I'm supposed to be
You have given me that chance,
I must keep a stronger stance
When I'm surrounded by reflections of my history
I can give everything I hold inside,
But I can never give enough tonight
As I reach through the darkness toward the light
I'm not consumed by selfishness, cause it was you that gave me life
Emotions fall all around us when we try to do things on our own
Struggles lead to emptiness when we feel all alone
I can see the narrow door, I can't do this any more
Take the burdens that have kept me planted on the floor
I can give everything I hold inside,
But I can never give enough tonight
As I reach through the darkness toward the light
I'm not consumed by selfishness, cause it was you that gave me life
(I won't take this pressure any more)
(God won't leave us in these hallways without an opening)
I can never give enough, I can never give enough
I can never give enough, you keep breaking me down inside
I can never give enough
I can never give enough, with you I'm no longer dead inside
I can never give enough
I can give everything I hold inside,
But I can never give enough tonight
As I reach through the darkness toward the light
I'm not consumed by selfishness, cause it was you that gave me life
I could never give enough, (you that gave me life)
You keep breaking me down inside (can never give enough)
Musicians for 'Broken Circle':
Chad Griffin - Vocals
RL Waters - Guitars
Dustin Simpson - Guitars
Christian Santiago - Bass
Jimmy Wilkins - Drums
Chad Griffin - Vocals
RL Waters - Guitars
Dustin Simpson - Guitars
Christian Santiago - Bass
Jimmy Wilkins - Drums
In 2015, Awaken released their sophomore full-length album titled 'Echoes & Reflections. This release follows in the footsteps of their debut album 'Broken Circle' delivering up an AOR sound that you won't mind Rock'n to when your friends come over to visit.
If you like bands like Breaking Benjamin, RED, Sevendust, Matchbox Twenty, or even Fivestar Prophet then you will definitely enjoy what Awaken offers up. Do yourself a favor an dust off your speakers with some hard hitting Hard Rock by the up and coming band Awaken.
Musicians:
Chad Griffin-Vocals
Dustin Sompson-Guitars
Christian Santiago-Bass
Jimmy Wilkins-Drums
Chad Griffin-Vocals
Dustin Sompson-Guitars
Christian Santiago-Bass
Jimmy Wilkins-Drums