This sophomore record from Massachusetts rockers Godsmack arrived in 2000, and to celebrate the 25th Anniversary, the band has slapped the original album on two pieces of wax and added five bonus tracks.

“Sick Of Life” is the lead off track, and it pairs Tony Rombola's chugging guitar with Sully Erna’s unmistakable growl in the hard hitting yet melodic delivery. “Awake” follows and allows for Robbie Merrill’s dense bass licks that suit the thumping drums, and it isn’t long until the swirling “Bad Magick” hits hard but also uses grooves.

Deeper into the original, “Forgive Me” is a powerful bout that has Erna singing with emotion, while “Spiral” spotlights Tommy Stewart’s exceptional drumming dynamics and takes help from Katrina Chester’s haunting backing vocals.

Of the bonus material, the raw and gritty “Why” brings some grungy ideas to the fold, and their version of Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf” is a slick, stoner-rock interpretation that does justice to the original.

The last two tracks are a capella versions of “Awake” and “Bad Magick,” which is quite surprising from a band known for how loud they are, but a nice change of pace.

Awake debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 and ended up selling two million copies in the US. This edition comes with a really eye-catching holographic lithograph on the cover and colored vinyl as an option.

This would be the last album that Stewart would play on, but his departure didn’t stop the band from putting out one well-received album after another for the next 20+ years. Godsmack are still active today, and in the area of alt-metal, hard rock, nu metal and post-grunge, you’d be hard pressed to find a band who’s been doing it as consistently well for as long as they have.

Rating: B+

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