Awake Again released a new single “Middle Man”

Awake Again, a band currently enjoying a fantastic international rise, is adding fuel to the fire by announcing the release of their second full-length studio album next spring. Alongside the news, the band offers a first taste of the upcoming record.

The single “Middle Man” marks the beginning of a new, heavier, and more mature chapter in Awake Again’s career. Fast, chaotic, and relentlessly heavy, the track combines the crushing power of modern metalcore with the unpredictable energy and surprises characteristic of System Of A Down. Sharp riffs, explosive dynamics, and the band’s signature catchy hooks provide an aggressive first glimpse into Awake Again’s new era.

“We adopted the following guideline for the upcoming album: epic and melancholic SOAD-style frenzy with gritty, raw sounds. ‘Middle Man’ is an excellent taste of this new direction,” says the band’s vocalist Matti Österman, adding:

“We clearly wanted to move towards both a heavier sound and darker lyrical content. The upcoming album is a story about the end of the world, and ‘Middle Man’ is its first chapter. The song tells the story of the early signs of the apocalypse—a time when evil acts go unpunished, and the narrator serves as an indifferent middleman for the perpetrators of that evil.” “We also wanted to sprinkle references to various movies and TV series into the lyrics. Listeners can try to spot them and let us know how many they found,” hints the band’s bassist, Ville Loukola.

With this new chapter, Awake Again has taken its production to the next level, introducing fresh tonal elements to the songs. However, the band hasn’t changed its proven working methods; they developed the track with Österman serving as producer, while the band’s trusted collaborator Rami Nykänen handled the mixing and mastering.

Known for their explosive live energy, Awake Again has also garnered viral attention through social media videos; tracks like “PARAS!TE,” “shitwreck,” and “violins” have brought the band widespread visibility and expanded its international fan base. Meanwhile, the band’s streaming figures have surpassed 11 million. Awake Again also appeared as a special guest on Lost Society’s European tour last spring, and last summer, they commanded the tent stage at Tuska Festival with an impressive performance.

Next up on the live front for Awake Again is Joensuu’s Unholy Winterfest on November 27th. Early next year, it will be time to head abroad again as the band embarks on a German tour with the Swedish act Mister Misery. The tour will kick off the release shows for their new album. The band also hints that new tour dates will be announced soon.

March 18: Betty, Hamburg
March 19: Turock, Essen
March 20: Paunchy Cats, Lichtenfels
March 21: Bastard Club, Osnabrück
March 22: Bandhaus, Leipzig

Awake Again is:
Matti Österman – Vocals
Ville Loukola – Bass
Petteri Horn – Drums
Maron Lahdenperä – Guitar