MILLENNIUM – Awakening Review

MILLENNIUM – Awakening

Independent

Homepage

MILLENNIUM is a band formed in 1982 in Birmingham, United Kingdom and they were part of the N.W.O.B.H.M. metal movement that has affected so drastically our sound. As many bands of that era MILLENNIUM managed to release in 1983 their debut album under the same name; after that they released some demos and called it a day in the late 80’s. The band members, though, thought that they have more to give with this band and I think that the new interest that the new bands show in the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound motivated them to come back and in 2016 to release their sophomore album entitled “Caught in a Warzone”. “Awakening” is the successor of that release and let me tell you a few things about it.

The first question that comes to most of us is if MILLENNIUM have stayed true to the essence of their music since from the 80’s up to now many years have passed and we have already witnessed reunions of old bands that have changed their sound totally. From the first tunes that I listened from the “Awakening” album I had the feeling that I was dealing with a pure N.W.O.B.H.M. release with a contemporary sound and of course fresh ideas. Their sound, in this release, in my opinion is a mix of traditional heavy metal elements with a strong dose of melodic speed and even with thrash metal touches. Based on my experiences I can say that MILLENNIUM’s sound profile is a mixture of influences coming from IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and even early METALLICA (who of course had many N.W.O.B.H.M. influences back then).  The compositions that are included here are dominated by catchy melodies which are supported by a heavy and steady rhythm section.

All in all, “Awakening” is an album that stays faithful to its roots and the band’s history. It’s a release that breathes out an N.W.O.B.H.M. feeling without losing its contemporary touch and I think that it can be easily appreciated by both old school and contemporary heavy metal fans.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis