Dark. Heavy. Progressive. Emotional.
Dream Theater’s “Awake” has all of it. From the crushing opening of “6:00” to the haunting final notes of “Space-Dye Vest” the album pushed the band into a darker and heavier direction.
And with Kevin Moore departure looming over the record, there is plenty of emotion hiding beneath those riffs.
Space-Dye Vest
The emotional closer and arguably the most unique song on the album.
Written entirely by keyboardist Kevin Moore “Space-Dye Vest” is atmospheric, piano-driven and deeply personal. Moore brought the completed song into the studio, creating a completely different mood from the heavier material surrounding it.
Scarred
One of the album progressive heavyweights.
“Scarred” shifts through changing moods and tempos while giving John Petrucci plenty of room to shine. Its lyrics eventually developed into a darker exploration of depression, adding another layer to an already intense track.
6:00
The album starts with a punch.
Mike Portnoy hard-hitting drum intro immediately announces the heavier direction of “Awake” while the lyrics, written by Moore, hint at the growing distance between him and the rest of the band.
The Mirror
Dark, heavy and built around a seriously sludgy riff.
“The Mirror” was written by Portnoy about his battle with alcoholism and would later become the starting point for his famous Twelve-step Suite. And the story doesn’t end there the groove eventually gave birth to “Lie”.
Voices
The emotional centerpiece of the “A Mind Beside Itself” trilogy.
“Voices” follows “Erotomania” and leads into “The Silent Man” combining dramatic vocals, soaring solos and lyrics inspired by research into schizophrenia and mental illness.
More “Awake” Highlights
The three-part “A Mind Beside Itself” suite “Erotomania”, “Voices” and “The Silent Man” gives the album one of its most ambitious progressive sections.
“Caught in a Web” brings rapid double-bass drumming, technical playing and an infectious vocal melody, while “Lie” delivers one of the album heaviest and most direct moments. Originally part of “The Mirror” James LaBrie felt its groove was strong enough to become its own song.
The album also features “Lifting Shadows Off a Dream” which began with a poem and two chords brought to the band by John Myung.
And even the artwork plays along with the music: the cover includes visual references to “6:00”, “The Mirror” and “Caught in a Web”.
The “Awake” lineup was:
James LaBrie – Lead vocals
Kevin Moore – Keyboards
John Petrucci – Guitars
John Myung – Bass
Mike Portnoy – Drums, percussion
So, which one gets your vote?
Or is another “Awake” track your personal masterpiece?
🤘 Vote for your favorite!
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