Description
Godsmack – Awake – Double Vinyl Record
Godsmack’s Awake, released on October 31, 2000 (appropriately on Halloween), is the band’s second studio album and a defining statement of their heavy, aggressive sound in the early 2000s hard rock/metal scene. Following the success of their self-titled debut (1998), which had earned them platinum status and mainstream visibility with songs like “Whatever” and “Keep Away,” Awake solidified their reputation as one of the most prominent bands in the post-grunge/nu-metal landscape. With its dark themes, grinding riffs, tribal rhythms, and frontman Sully Erna’s brooding, confrontational vocals, the album captured the era’s angst and energy while expanding the band’s musical palette.
The album kicks off with “Sick of Life,” an ominous, slow-building intro that sets the mood before launching into the title track, “Awake.” With its muscular guitar riff and chant-like chorus, “Awake” became the album’s breakout single and one of Godsmack’s signature songs. It received heavy rotation on rock radio and MTV, embodying the raw aggression and cathartic release that defined the band’s appeal. Its popularity was boosted even further when it was featured in U.S. Navy recruitment commercials, linking the track to military imagery and further embedding it in early 2000s pop culture.
Other highlights include “Greed,” which balances groove-oriented riffing with snarling social critique, and “Bad Magick,” a moody, hypnotic track that blends mysticism with hard rock power. “Vampires,” an instrumental spoken-word piece that earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental, showcases their willingness to experiment beyond standard hard rock formulas. Meanwhile, “Goin’ Down” and “Bring It On” lean into Godsmack’s darker, heavier side, with relentless drumming and aggressive riffs driving home the band’s signature sound.
A standout element of Awake is drummer Tommy Stewart’s tribal-influenced percussion, which adds an atmospheric dimension to songs like “Vampires” and ties into Erna’s interest in shamanism and ritualistic rhythms. This rhythmic focus would become even more prominent in later works and live performances (especially their famous drum duels, “Batalla de los Tambores”). The album as a whole feels heavier and darker than their debut, reflecting both the band’s growth and the mood of the rock/metal scene at the time, dominated by acts like Disturbed, Slipknot, and Korn.
Awake was a major success. It debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, went on to sell over 2 million copies in the U.S., and was certified double platinum. Its singles—especially “Awake” and “Greed”—kept Godsmack in heavy rotation on rock radio, while the band’s reputation as a fierce live act helped them become staples of Ozzfest and major touring circuits.
The album received mixed reviews: some praised its heaviness, tight production, and raw energy, while others criticized it for lack of variety or accused the band of leaning too heavily on the post-grunge/nu-metal template. However, for fans, Awake remains one of Godsmack’s strongest albums, delivering straightforward, no-frills hard rock with grit and intensity.
Awake stands as a snapshot of turn-of-the-millennium hard rock: heavy, moody, and tailor-made for arenas. It confirmed that Godsmack could sustain their momentum beyond their debut, produced songs that became staples of their live shows, and cemented their identity as one of the dominant American hard rock bands of the era.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Sick Of Life
Awake
Greed
Bad Magick
Goin’ Down
Mistakes
Trippin’
Forgive Me
Vampires
The Journey
Spiral
