Reviewed by Paddy Hudspith

Like their 2009 debut 'Reveal', AwakenUs clothe themselves in some pretty dark garments, visually speaking. The cover of their latest EP 'The Forgotten' portrays a mysterious, foreboding 'angel of death'-type figure, but the music isn't nearly so menacing. The best way to define their sound is classic ('70s) rock, along a spectrum from Fleetwood Mac to (occasionally) Deep Purple. The former are a reference point, mostly because of the driving yet acoustic foundation to their sound, and the sharing of lead vocals between the female and male voices in the group. The songwriting is of consistently good quality too, thematically about reaching out with the Good News to those in need around us (especially on "Prayer For The Living" and the title track). Most striking though certainly laudable is the starkly honest "Fallible", about the doubts within our discipleship: "I don't know where to begin, what to do/Easier to stick with routine/Others seem more authentic/Am I the only one who struggles with apathy?" But at its close there is great encouragement: "Time to step up for the truth, shun all my worry and fear/Your Spirit is all I need to realize mission in me". At the end of "Fallible" and into the closing title track, things kick up a notch and AwakenUs go "(deep) purple" with some heavier rock. Very impressive, heartfelt stuff.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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