"Awake?" showcases a dense and aggressive metalcore sound, characterized by its intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts in tempo. The production is polished yet raw, allowing the visceral energy of the instrumentation to shine through. Tracks like "1,000,000 Outstretched Arms of Nothing" and "Human Cattle Masses Marching Forward" feature rapid-fire drumming and guttural vocals, creating a relentless intensity. In contrast, pieces such as "Quiet Passenger, Part 1" introduce atmospheric textures, blending melodic interludes with heavier passages. The album's distinctive quality lies in its ability to oscillate between chaos and introspection, with layered instrumentation that invites deep listening while maintaining an urgent, driving force throughout.

Album: Awake? by Zao (2009)
Genre: Metalcore
Record Label: Ferret Music
Format: Album

Related Artists: Haste the Day, Poison the Well, Living Sacrifice, The Chariot

Music Scene: Part of the Parkersburg, West Virginia, US music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Metalcore movement.

Tags: Metalcore, 2000s, Album, Ferret Music

Additional Context: Based on 2 votes


Awake? is the tenth studio album by metalcore band Zao. It was released on May 5, 2009, on Ferret Records. It contains nine new tracks and a re-recording of the track "Romance of the Southern Spirit", which originally appeared on the Japanese version of The Funeral of God. Only 8,000 physical copies of the album were made. Each copy is numbered and has six interchangeable covers. The album sold approximately 2,000 copies in its first week. The single "Entropica" debuted in April 2009 prior to the album's release.

Awake?

Zao

Track List

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