Wake the Sleeping Dragon!
Sick of It All · 2018
33 min · 17 tracks · hardcore punk
Fierce riffs and explosive rhythms collide with politically charged lyrics in this raw display of hardcore punk energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Inner Vision Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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That Crazy White Boy Shit — This track stands out with its rapid-fire delivery and biting lyrics that critique societal norms, encapsulating the band's confrontational style.
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Robert Moses Was a Racist — The song uses historical references to confront systemic racism, illustrating Sick of It All's ability to fuse personal narratives with broader social commentary.
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Wake the Sleeping Dragon — The titular track serves as an anthem for awakening consciousness, combining intense instrumentals with an empowering message that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and performance but has some uneven pacing in its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing slightly in the latter tracks.
- Many songs feature abrupt transitions between sections, creating a sense of urgency and unpredictability.
- The lyrics are politically charged and often delivered with aggressive vocal styles, emphasizing the band's hardcore punk roots.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- short, punchy listening sessions
- immediate hooks and energy
- front-loaded intensity bursts
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued vitality and relevance in their sound and themes.
- Themes
- systemic racism· New York activism· political confrontation
- Career context
- Released on November 2, 2018, 'Wake the Sleeping Dragon!' is Sick of It All's tenth studio album, marking their return after a four-year hiatus following 'Last Act of Defiance'. This album showcases their unyielding commitment to hardcore punk and political activism, further solidifying their legacy within the genre as they continue to influence both new and longtime fans.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Madball· H2O· Earth Crisis
Tracklist
- 1 Inner Vision Start here 1:54
- 2 That Crazy White Boy Shit 2:05
- 3 The Snake (Break Free) 1:57
- 4 Bull’s Anthem 2:02
- 5 Robert Moses Was a Racist 1:28
- 6 Self Important Shithead 0:58
- 7 To the Wolves 1:39
- 8 Always With Us 2:26
- 9 Wake the Sleeping Dragon 2:02
- 10 2+2 1:49
- 11 Beef Between Vegans 2:12
- 12 Hardcore Horseshoe 1:52
- 13 Mental Furlough 2:16
- 14 Deep State 1:53
- 15 Bad Hombres 2:01
- 16 Work the System 1:46
- 17 The New Slavery 2:38
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Nothing to Prove
H2O
Shares the same fierce energy and political edge, with melodic hooks complementing hardcore roots.
Jane Doe
Converge
Explores intense emotional landscapes and raw aggression, reflecting on personal and societal struggles.
Start Today
Gorilla Biscuits
Combines energetic hardcore punk with thoughtful lyrics addressing social issues and personal integrity.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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