Sydney, Australia-based Metalcore trio Forever at Midnight have recently released a their new track “When You Wake”.
This track marks a significant evolution for the band, transitioning momentarily from their original pop-punk roots to a darker, synth-heavy, metalcore sound.
The powerhouse trio, comprised of Liv Howlett (vocals), Evan Hughes (drums), and Josh Kim (guitars/programming), have made a new commitment to pushing the boundaries of their sound.
Their new track combines the symphonic melodies of Spiritbox with the ferocious, gritty tones of Bad Omens and Bring Me The Horizon. Bursting with aggressive riffs, atmospheric synths, and emotionally charged lyrics,
this track is here to tell one hell of a story.
When You Wake is not just a song; it’s a poignant exploration of the emotional turbulence of an abusive relationship.
Vocalist, Liv Howlett, drew inspiration from reflecting upon past relationships, some personal, and some experienced by close friends. Delving into the complexities of gaslighting, manipulation, coercion and isolation, as explained by Liv,
“The song portrays how an abuser, initially charming and charismatic,
slowly reveals their true nature and ultimately pushes their victim to a breaking point. To survive their
captor, they are forced to become something, and someone else; a product of abuse. The result is a visceral portrayal of drowning in despair, fear and anger, and the struggle to escape from a psychologically destructive cycle.”
Josh Kim, the band’s guitarist, reflects on the creation of the track:
“Amidst writing fun and energetic songs, I just wanted to create something deadlier. Coincidentally, I was playing around with lower drop tunings and the main riff was born.”
“When You Wake” and their debut track, “Meant To Be” are both incredible tracks in their own unique ways. Understandably so, as a new band, Forever At Midnight is still discovering their sound. I believe that a fusion of Metalcore and Pop-Punk will define their future sound, but hey let’s see what’s to come from this awesome band!
Follow Forever At Midnight on their socials.
We’ve added “When You Wake” to our ‘Punkio’s Metal Picks’ Spotify playlist.