AWAKEN THE MAN

2007 produced many great progressive rock albums. The second Blackfield album, a new one from Porcupine Tree, yet another great one from Riverside, Symphony X, Redemption, Magic Pie, Gazpacho, The Flower Kings - you name it.

None of these even come close when compared to Din Within's debut album, Awaken The Man.

I first learned about the band in 2005, when I bought a cd called The Tsunami Projekt (TTP), which was a collaborative effort originating on the official Spock's Beard forum, set in motion to raise money for the victims of the horrific tsunami that hit Asia in 2004. Din Within contributed a track to this double-disc feature, and thus I was introduced to them.

So how is it, that some 2 years later, you hear the name of a band who you've only heard one song from before - and that they're going to release their debut album - and all of a sudden you revel in joy? For me, the answer would be that the one track I'd heard before, on the TTP cd, was so memorable that I couldn't wait to hear more from these guys - even if it took 2 years!

And believe me, it was worth the wait! Every once in a while, there's that one cd who just knocks you right on your ass because it's so great - and this is one of those. It's got everything - lyrical depth, the ability to make you happy on an otherwise crappy day just by listening, epic endings, vocal harmonies, and to quote the late Kevin Gilbert: "it's got more hooks than a tacklebox"!

Recommended for EVERYONE who loves prog a la Spock's Beard, Neal Morse, Kevin Gilbert, Kansas, Genesis - or in short: for everyone who appreciate great MUSIC.

[Note: I originally posted this review on amazon.com back in early 2008, and gave it 5 stars there. Now, almost 5 years later, I still feel the same about this album as I wrote then, but I understand calling an album "essential" and "masterpiece" is highly subjective. Were it not for the warning popup displaying upon trying to rate it with 5 stars here, and the fact that this site after all (in my opinion) should have some sort of objectivity through consensus, I'd have given it the 5 stars that *I* think it deserves. It is highly recommended.]