The Wake (2) – Masked

The Wake is an absolute garbage Sisters Of Mercy copycat band, right down to the Eldritch vocals....I buying this when it first came out, utter shit, not a single redeeming song...sold it back on the next record store visit - I think I got $4 back for it...

THE WAKE - Masked (1993)

PAÍS: USA

"The Wake" tiene el privilegio de pertenecer a las primera ola de bandas americanas dentro del "Gothic Rock" junto a otros consagrados como Mephisto Walz marcando ciertas diferencias de también las otras grandes bandas de estilo "Death Rock" como el gran Rozz Williams y los famosos CHRISTIAN DEATH OFFICIAL .

Si bien muchos de los críticos, donde me incluyo, han considerado al sonido de la banda como muy similares a The Sisters of Mercy (Fan Page) , The Wake estableció un estándar para los bandas americanas conviertiendo así a "Masked" como todo un clásico y siendo editado oficialmente en vinilo de color púrpura en el "2019".

En cuanto al disco fue lanzado en "Octubre" de "1993" y fue el álbum debut de la banda que gozó de mucho éxito dentro de los fervientes seguidores del rock gótico teniendo como singles previos a "Harlot" y "Sideshow" lanzados bajo el sello de la propia banda, "Blaylox Records".

Esta edición fue lanzada en el 2015 y se trata de una edición especial que por primera vez se dio en vinilo de color transparente y de edición LIMITADA y numerada de 20 copias, bajo el sello "Made For Fans Not For Money".

Temas recomendados: TODO EL DISCO

1) Harlot
2) Nazarene
3) Locomotive Age
4) Sideshow
5) Masked
6) Silent Siren
7) Audrey
8) Watchtower
9) Sheet Metal Eyes
10) Submerge

I have the purple limited version. My copy has the center label with the track listing afixed on the incorrect side. Does anyone else have a copy with this same error?

What about the sound quality of this press?
I know that some of the vinyls issued by Cleopatra 5 years ago had a lot of noise on them...

Fantastic Lathe cut release with a soft touch effect cardboard sleeve
produced by M***N records in Slovakia
....... a must to have !!!!!GREAT GREAT GREAT !!!!!

Believe me, as someone who finds Goth a non-Progressive, lazy genre full of cliches, I cannot help but like some of the more hooky groups. Although I have heard this album perhaps dozens of times now, I checked the cover to spot the 'girl's name' tracks - not too bad - just one - "Audrey" - ah, they obviously drew a line at Maude ... or Doris ... or Gladys.
Anyway, on with the review. It's good to hear again - strong songs like "Nazarene", "Sideshow" and "Locomotive Age" pitch straight for the dance gland (oh, I know there's no such thing....) leaving no time for you to dwell on the lack of individuality or originality in the music. The pace is quite fast, like BAUHAUS at their most motoring - although the sound's more lean and straightforward. There's something of JOY DIVISION to "Watchtower" - in the bass and overall feeling, but they keep their mainstream Goth atmosphere which is somehow lighter.

Not a bad album, and I'll certainly listen to it now and again. It pushes no limits and breaches no walls. It's Gothic Rock, plain and simple. If you're into this genre, and like a lighter, more commercial sound, give it a go. If not, then I leave the choice to you.

Originally reviewed for Soft Watch.