Top tracks — play these first
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1,000,000 Outstretched Arms of Nothing — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its aggressive instrumentation and existential lyrics, effectively introducing listeners to Zao's thematic depth.
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Awake? — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of awareness and awakening through a dynamic interplay of heavy riffs and melodic passages.
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Quiet Passenger, Part 2 / The World Caved In — As an expansive closing piece, it combines haunting melodies with raw emotional weight, leaving a lasting impression that resonates with the overall themes of the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Awake? showcases complex compositions and a mature sound, balancing chaos with introspective themes.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate dissonant melodies layered over heavy breakdowns, creating a tension between chaos and melody.
- The album includes interludes that shift the mood, such as 'Quiet Passenger, Part 1', which slows down the pace significantly before returning to intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- chaotic bursts of raw intensity
- introspective moments amid dissonance
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- cathartic release through aggression
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, calming sounds
- seek straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Awake? is Zao's sixth studio album, released during a period of artistic reinvention after a four-year hiatus following the release of The Funeral of God in 2006. This album marked their return to the music scene, showcasing a matured sound that blends their signature metalcore style with deeper lyrical explorations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Refused· The Chariot· Converge
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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What Will You Find?
The bridge features a stark shift in mood where questions about existence are posed with urgency and vulnerability.
This moment introduces a reflective tone that contrasts with the preceding aggression, emphasizing the inner turmoil that defines much of the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 1,000,000 Outstretched Arms of Nothing 3:38
- 2 Entropica 3:36
- 3 The Eyes Behind the Throne 3:35
- 4 Human Cattle Masses Marching Forward 3:38
- 5 Romance of the Southern Spirit 4:50
- 6 What Will You Find? 3:44
- 7 Awake? 3:40
- 8 Quiet Passenger, Part 1 3:59
- 9 Reveal 4:53
- 10 Quiet Passenger, Part 2 / The World Caved In 6:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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