ASTRAL SLEEP's debut full-length, "Unawakening", offers up five massive pieces of Metal melancholy, within the genre of Doom Metal. This album however, has more in general with Death/Doom, such as MY DYING BRIDE or NOVEMBERS DOOM. Perhaps what is most interesting about "Unawakening", is its use of harmonized lines, and production, as well as acoustic interludes, which give it an incredibly similar feel to early OPETH, specifically "Morningside", as well as slower Viking/Pagan Metal that focuses on melody.

Overall, ASTRAL SLEEP keeps things interesting by mixing up more typical Doom riffs as well as the aforementioned harmonized melodies as well as acoustic interludes. The song structures definitely function in a typically progressive nature, as the album is over an hour in length in only five songs. Special mention must be made to the great vocals, which are particularly guttural and are just generally well placed wand well done.

At the end of the day, ASTRAL SLEEP's debut full-length works as a great beginning, but often has trouble distancing itself from already created works, especially OPETH's "Morningside", which one can't help but feeling reminded of, and it can be difficult to stay fully engaged throughout the entire album. However, the songs are well constructed and there are some fantastic ideas, specifically within the second track “Cosmic Key”, which help the album to be a generally engaging and promising debut.

(Online May 16, 2009)