From Austin, Texas comes a powerhouse trio with 13 well-written songs. A progressive unit in the vein of Rush, Awake has laid down some very melodic songs with tons of intricate playing. Unlike other progressive bands that lose the listener with too much going on at once, Awake has made their songs commercial. Of all the bands that have obvious Rush influences, I think Awake has graduated from the "Rush School" with the highest honors. They're a metal band, but a classy one. The beautiful ballad "Change", with its skillful acoustic guitar and tasty drumming, is ample evidence. Keyboards can be found all over this album, but they're used properly and not dominating. "Mirror, Mirror" blends the two mediums well, where guitar leads soar above keyboard-woven textures. Songs like "The System", "Unjust", and "The Kingdom" find the band relishing in its progressive nature, tactfully rocking out. Musicians will appreciate the hard work in these songs, and respect the songwriting. "See Me Now" is an arresting song that showcases the fine vocal chords of bassist/vocalist/keyboardist (and all-around Geddy Lee character) Mike Botello. As with most trios, there's not room for one person to hog too much room, as drummer Rob Battalion and guitarist Jesse Villegas well attest in this song. Lyrically, the band covers stark truths of spiritual warfare, as well as vulnerable glimpses into the writer's heart. "Faith" encapsules the band's statement of faith: "...try to awake and realize/ that the words I speak aren't fairy tales, fables, or lies/ Christ our savior is alive...life is precious to the wise/ but to the foolish and unfaithful man/ there comes a sad surprise..." A great debut album!