Awake

About

"Awake" is the third studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater, released on 4 October 1994 through East West Record. It is the final album by the band to feature original keyboardist Kevin Moore, who announced his departure during the mixing stage. The material for "Awake" was primarily written between February and April 1994 at Prince Studios in New York City. Following the commercial success of "Images and Words" (1992), particularly the single "Pull Me Under", the band faced pressure from their record label to deliver a similarly successful follow-up. The label encouraged a heavier and more metal-oriented direction, partly in response to prevailing trends in alternative and groove metal. Internal dynamics during the writing process were marked by creative disagreement, partly due to the absence of a clear band leader. Guitarist John Petrucci introduced the use of a seven-string guitar, contributing to a more riff-driven sound, while vocalist James LaBrie adopted a more aggressive and varied vocal style. Recording began in May 1994 at One On One Studios in North Hollywood, Los Angele, with additional overdubs completed at Devonshire Studio. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by John Purdell and Duane Baron. Compared to the band’s previous collaboration with producer David Prater, the band reported a more positive and flexible working relationship during these session. "Awake" remains the only Dream Theater studio album recorded outside the eastern United State. During the final stages of recording, Kevin Moore informed the band of his decision to leave. His departure was attributed to a shift in his musical interests and a desire to pursue his own material. Other factors mentioned by those involved included the demands of touring and his reserved personality. After completing the album, Moore relocated from New York and subsequently continued his musical career independently. The album was mixed at Unique Studios in New York City. Early mixing sessions involved the full band, but the producers later completed the process without them to maintain efficiency. The cover artwork, designed by Larry Freemantle, incorporated various visual references to the album’s lyric, following a similar approach to "Images and Words". "Awake" was released at a time when grunge music dominated the mainstream rock landscape. It debuted at number 32 on the US Billboard 200, remaining on the chart for six week. Singles released from the album included "Lie", "Caught in a Web", and "The Silent Man", though none matched the commercial impact of "Pull Me Under". Initial sales reached over 36,000 copies in the first week, but the record label regarded the album as a commercial disappointment, which contributed to increased pressure for more radio-friendly material on subsequent release. Following Moore’s departure, the band auditioned several keyboardist. Jordan Rudess performed with the band at a September 1994 show but declined a full-time role. Derek Sherinian was later recruited on a trial basis and became a permanent member in early 1995. The supporting tour began in October 1994, but was affected by vocalist James LaBrie’s vocal injury, which caused long-term difficulties in his performance. At the time of its release, "Awake" received mixed critical response. Some reviewers praised its musicianship and complexity, while others criticised its stylistic excesse. Over time, retrospective assessments have been more favourable, with critics highlighting the album’s darker tone, production quality, and technical performance. Individual tracks such as "Lie", "Scarred", "Caught in a Web", "6:00", and the "A Mind Beside Itself" suite have been noted in review. .

via Last.fm

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