Awaken Demons – The Mirror

I’m going to skip writing my usual extended introduction, dive right in, and just say that Awaken Demons, right down to the bloody album art, is as generic as hardcore comes.  Now this isn’t to say that devoted fans won’t love the Italian four piece’s tried and true, cut-the-crap formula.  Those looking for something safe will undoubtedly find it in Awaken Demons’ Trustkill Records debut, The Mirror.  But those looking for something a little more ambitious will want to look elsewhere.

My major issue is that the band subscribes so purely to the metalcore school of hardcore that there’s very little to help differentiate them from their peers.  In other words, they fit right in with bands like Asphyxand We Were Gentlemen, but without passion or drive to set them apart.  In other words, it’s very much paint-by-numbers metalcore.  You have lead vocalist Luca’s hoarse, primitive growl, complete with sludge-inspired breakdowns, coupled with a thunderous drumbeat and aggressive, riff heavy guitars.  It’s a combination that actually kicks the album off on a strong note, “Coming To An End” is reasonable by any degree, but ultimately sucks itself dry a few tracks in when you realize the band doesn’t venture outside its narrow comfort zone.

The Mirror also contains two tracks featuring guest appearances by other hardcore vocalists.  But with Awaken Demons sounding so middle of the road their presence goes almost undetected.  “Drawn To Death’s Door” features Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis, but you wouldn’t know it if the title didn’t point it out.  Likewise, “Abandoning Darkness” features Acacia Strain’s Vincent Bennet, who although boasting an especially deep growl, doesn’t do much to liven things up.  Usually bands draw on guest vocalists to add something they can’t by themselves; but Awaken Demons simply inserts two guest vocalists who merely do exactly what Luca already does.  The band had the opportunity to break up their monotony, but rather chose to further enhance it.

Like I said before, if you enjoy the prospect of brutal hardcore that doesn’t sound particularly unique or different than your current library, then you might get some mileage out of The Mirror.  Even so, Awaken Demons might have the mechanics down, but they still need to work on making something they can call their own.  Genre enthusiasts need only apply.