Hour of the Awake
London, England, United Kingdom | SELF
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07 November 2009 – Just over a week ago I had a really good time working with the guys (and girl) from Hour of the Awake on a photo shoot for them to use to promote the new stuff they have been working on.
They are currently a 4 piece Metal band based in London and they have been working hard on writing some amazing material that they will only really launch when they are happy with everything. I was lucky to get a sneak peak of what they have been working on and it really is exciting (think Killswitch Engage, In Flames and Lamb of God with their own unique twist). I always really enjoy when bands take influence from their favourite bands but make it theirs.
I had been liaising with Shiri about locations and what she imagined the final images to look like and I really appreciated that she left it up to me to shoot how I shoot and direct them to what I thought worked and I made sure to include what she had imagined. We met up on a Sunday afternoon in Golders Green and had a mini “hike” with all our heavy gear dodging people that we thought were going to kick us out and racing for the last bits of available light.
These are a few of the photos that I really like from the shoot. The first ones are obviously group shots but the last four are individual portraits of each member with the instrument that they play. I always worry about shooting photos of band members with their gear as I worry it will come out cheesy but I think these work nicely.
I received a mail (a few actually) yesterday from the members that really made my day and they were really happy. I laughed so much at how they described their gratitude with the most swear words I have seen in text in a long time. Amazing.
Check them out, they are a bunch of really cool people who deserve support. I cannot wait to see them on their forward progression with this project. - Marcus Maschwitz
Discography
Lakeshore Murder - EP (2010)
Photos
Bio
At the decline of the metalcore scene Shiri Takacs (guitar) and Luci (guitar) left their home in South Africa where they played together in the locally well known and respected hard rock band 'In Dreams'. They came to the UK where they immediately began recruiting and formulating the songs which you hear today.
Drawing influence from In Flames and Lamb of God, Shiri was able to write and pre-produce the main body of works belonging to Hour of the Awake. The band were quick to progress and found in themselves the ability to veer away from stereotypical breakdowns and mindless thrashing and instead, form a conduit that allowed a steady flow of force throughout each track. A self styled midpoint between technical playing and pure enjoyment.
In the winter of 2009, Hour of the Awake, now joined by Nik Ward (vocals) from previous band 'Red Letter Sunday' and Edy (bass) began recording their EP 'Lakeshore Murder', with the use of a session drummer. Of the good things to happen to the band in early 2010, possibly the best, has been the addition of James D on drums.
The blend of dramatic intros, dark melodies entwined with the crushing guitar sounds and acidic vocals carrying a message of hope and despair simultaneously, is the sound which defines Hour of the Awake.
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