Calendar year 2025, and more specifically on February 28th, Poland’s Awakeness released their debut full-length album, “Low Spirits“.
This first full-length effort, running at around 33 minutes, caught my attention right from the start, and I believe it stands as one of the most remarkable underground gems out there!
When it comes to their musical style, I have to say I’m impressed by the rich blend that unfolds throughout the album. Awakeness manage to combine deathcore, blackened touches, downtuned riffs, crushing breakdowns, and at the same time strong melodic and atmospheric vibes that give the record both character and depth. “Low Spirits” is much more than just a solid release; it is an album that makes it crystal clear that Awakeness are not here to fool around.
My favorite track on the album is “…As I Die,” a song that showcases the band’s desire for musical variety in the best possible way! The creation of a truly beautiful, melodic atmosphere, combined with Marta Ślimak’s violin , gives the song a distinct identity. And when that beauty is later torn apart by the growls and aggressive riffs, the result is absolutely captivating! I would not hesitate to say that if this song carried the name of a much bigger band , we would probably already be talking about one of the most discussed tracks of the year!
What matters even more, though, is that “Low Spirits” does not rely on just one or two “hits”. Every song feels carefully crafted with love and dedication, and each one brings its own musical perspective without the band ever seeming to lose their musical identity. It is an album with excellent flow, one that never gives the impression of containing any filler moments.
At this point, an unrelated yet somehow relevant truth comes along and shakes me… It is becoming harder and harder for me to keep up with everything that is happening in the metal scene to instantly describe what I’ve just heard… If I were younger, I’d probably tell you quite easily: blackened deathcore, thall, djent, doom influences, and so on… But thankfully, that is not really the point… The point is that I enjoyed this album a lot! So much, in fact, that I honestly wish I could hand it out the way newspapers used to be delivered by bicycle through American neighborhoods in the old days!
“Low Spirits” is one of those releases that remind you that the underground still produces albums with character and soul! And if Awakeness continue like this, it will be very hard for them to stay hidden from the wider audience for much longer…
