Awakening 1 by Beyond The Rubicon lands like a lightning bolt of melodic conviction for up and coming compelling trilogy of EPs. The duo, Paul Griggs from the UK and Paul Mahieu from the Netherlands, come out swinging with Awakening 1, a three-track sampler.
Opening with โBackfire,โ the EP wastes no time declaring its stance. This is a no-holds-barred, melodic callout of betrayal and gaslighting, backed by infectious guitar rhythm and his point-blank performance. The harmonies come singing along with him in the bridge, bringing a stronger gravity to his words, because he sings, โIโm better than you had me for,โ like heโs turning it into a super empowering anthem.
The mood lightens with โA World Like This,โ a sparkling duet that pulses with hope and unity. The warm acoustic strums open the door for a baritone vocal to gently guide us in, before the higher vocals return, lifting the song into a wash of crashing cymbals, tight harmonies, and surging optimism. Itโs literally like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, reminding us of the beauty worth clinging to even in our worst storms.
Then comes โLonely Days, Lonely Nights,โ the emotional gut-punch of the EP. With sparse guitar and a slow, echoing vocal performance, the track explores what becomes of suicide. The harmonies swell to carry the weight of it all, taking the restless soul up abode.
Produced by Dave Boothroyd with pristine mastering by Sam Proctor and expert drumming from Joe Montague, Awakening 1 is a promising start to an emotionally resonant trilogy. Stay tuned and mark your calendars because the rest two trilogies are coming up this August and this October.
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Review by: Naomi Joan
1 comment
Hi Naomi – Thanks for the great review, amazing. Paul G BTR