Album Review: Dreamwake – The Lost Years (UNFD)

Following their debut ‘Virtual Reality’, progressive metalcore band Dreamwake is now gearing up to release their sophomore album, ‘The Lost Years’, via UNFD – a record that expands their sonic world even further. At its core, The Lost Years is a conceptually ambitious and deeply personal body of work – one that invites listeners into a richly textured sonic universe while confronting the passage of time and the spaces in between who we were and who we become. It will be released on August 8th, 2025.

An experience like no other, while having so many recognisable parts, Dreamwake do the impossible here. Creating something that is more akin to sensations, where listening to it with multitudes of daily distractions isn’t an option, and a word like unique isn’t hyperbolic in the slightest. There hasn’t been anything like this all year (and longer) and may not be until the next time Dreamwake release something.

It is one of the best things I’ve heard all year.

Progressive metalcore… two genres that aren’t normally comfortable together, but two genres that Dreamwake transform, all while infusing atmospheric depth, cinematic melody, and retro synth in too. As I said, all recognisable elements individually. Again though, I must stress that it’s how everything is put together and how Dreamwake add so much texture that makes the difference. Impressively, Dreamwake manage to sound nostalgic and modern in equal measures.

It’s a hefty album, so if you just want a handful of tracks to give you a flavour of what you can expect from it, then the likes of Stargazer, Cold Summer, Afterglow, and Oasis are must listens as far as I’m concerned, but this really will be down to the individual. Do you want Dreamwake leaning more into their metalcore side? Dreamwake getting technical and throwing out the djenty riffs? How about Dreamwake delivering dramatic synth and firing off a saxophone solo? There’s so much to unpack here, and it never fails to amaze, entertain, and confound.

It also creates feelings that might need some time to unpack, least of all feelings that equate to both joy and sorrow, especially if you’re willing to really immerse yourself within the album and feel what Dreamwake feel. An easy thing to do as The Lost Years is truly an experience like no other. Dreamwake might not be looking to change the musical landscape, but when this is what they’re creating, it’s happening none the less. They’ve done something incredible here and it stays with you long after it finishes.

Dreamwake – The Lost Years Track Listing:

1. Stargazer
2. Daydream
3. Dark Eternal
4. Memories
5. Cold Summer
6. VHS Dreams
7. Afterglow
8. Supernova
9. White Noise
10. Oasis
11. Static Haze
12. Heatwave

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