Awake  by Dream Theater

Awake, released in 1994, is the third album by Dream Theater and is considered one of the most iconic in the progressive metal scene, marking a shift to darker paths. Awake is noticeably heavier and darker than its predecessor, partly due to the company's pressure for a more metal sound that would fit with the era's climate (grunge/alternative).

Petrucci used a 7-string guitar for the first time, adding an unprecedented volume to tracks like The Mirror, while LaBrie adopted a more aggressive and rough tone. The production of Awake was undertaken by John Purdell and Duane Baron, known for their work with Ozzy Osbourne. Three singles stood out from the album: Lie, The Silent Man, and Caught In A Web. Additionally, the album includes the suite Scarred and the melancholic Space-Dye Vest, which was entirely written by Moore.

Despite the high expectations from their company (East West Records), the album was then considered a "commercial failure" compared to the success of Images And Words. It reached No. 32 in the U.S., a position that remained the highest for the band until 2007. In the United Kingdom, it reached up to No. 65.