The year is winding down, but the number of terrific new albums is not. Time’s Forgotten is back with another slice of melodic goodness with Songs of Awakening. The record comes out on October 3rd through Melodic Revolution Records.
Time’s Forgotten hails from Costa Rica. They’ve been around for a long time, their first album releasing back in 2006. After a lengthy hiatus starting in 2012, they returned in 2022 with Shelter and hopefully will continue at a good pace. The current lineup includes Priscilla Ruiz on vocals, Jorge Sobrado on drums, Chalo Trejos on bass, Ari Lotringeron lead guitar, and Juan Pablo Calvo on keyboards, guitar, and vocals.
The band plays a blend of progressive rock and metal, leaning more into the rock side, I’d say. They have a bit of alternative and djent in their sound at times, some world music and cinema, too. They have a fantastic rhythm section that competes with the powerful guitar work, and rising above it all you’ll hear Juan’s gorgeous keys and Priscilla’s untamed vocals. The band has plenty of edge, but their melodies and monster hooks are what really sell the experience.
Songs of Awakening has eight songs and I think they’re all good to great. They are also consistent, engaging, and quite accessible, making for an album that feels familiar and yet fresh on the very first listen. In the first half, we get songs like the ambitious opener “The Shallow and the Deep” with its big riffs and many transitions, or “Nighttime”, a beautiful piece with some Spanish flair and a chorus that has really grown on me. My favorites in this half are “Places of Healing”, a heavier track with a gigantic hook that slams down like an anvil, and “Departure”, which has yet another hook that will burn itself in your memory.
The second half of the album begins and ends with my favorites. In the middle are the single “Alight”, which is honestly my least favorite on the record, though it’s still a good track with lots of drive and energy, and “Surrender”, a crystal cool track with electronica and a spacey atmosphere—I love the chorus on this one and the more reserved, floating sound.
My favorites in this second half are “Sidewalk Hero” and the closer “Forgiveness”. The former has such a strong guitar melody, plus what I consider Priscilla’s most emotional vocals on the album; the song rocks but has heart. The latter is a wonderful piece with heightened senses and hope in its veins. I love the last few minutes as the cinematic keys sweep in deliciously. The album ends with such light.
Time’s Forgotten deserves more attention, and their new album Songs of Awakening is rock solid. I love the floating melodies combined with the roaring instrumentation and powerful vocals, but they never forget the tender heart of what they do, and that is always apparent.
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