DRAEMORA is a new band in the Melodic Death Metal genre, hailing from Seattle, Washington. Formed in late 2019, the band got to work on a debut EP amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. "Awakening" contains five tracks.

"Dead Inside" opens the album, with very deep and thick Death vocals. Heavy guitars lead the charge. Then, it's like a switch flipped, and clean vocals some in. It just doesn't work very well however. The stark contrast is done without transitions and it's just left there naked. "Guilt" opens with fuzzy clean guitars and a despondent tone. This time, clean vocals lead the charge with a bit of melody hanging out there as well. Then, the darkened Death vocals come in but do not take over. It's a decent effort but really falls short of the mark.

"Home" opens with some clean guitars and then the deep Death vocals come in. They have the heavy side of the genre down pat but could really work on developing the melodic side of things. The clean vocals could honestly just be done away with. "Legion of Scum" features some more extensive guitar work but they really play it safe for the most part. I get it-they are a new band and are trying to find their sound. But they are missing many of the elements the genre was founded on.

"Reckoning" closes the album. It's another safe song without venturing out much. Looking for some positive things to say about the album, the Death vocalist is actually very talented and can reach those deep dark crevices. But the rest of the album needs a lot of work. The riffs are too simple and kept too close to the open E notes that often mar the genre, overdone and overdone again. If they want to stay in the game, they are going to have to find a way to work in their personality in the music. It was an honest first effort, but really fell short of most of what is out there.