Awake By Design

**Awake By Design** are a British melodic metal crew hailing from Southampton, formed in 2006. Blending progressive metal riffs with soaring melodies, their sound walks the line between heavy and anthemic, anchored by Adrian Powell’s emotive vocals. The band—rounded out by guitarist Andy Milner, bassist Chris Burton, and drummer Matt Vowles—has built a reputation for polished studio work and energetic live shows, sharing stages with acts like Evergrey and My Soliloquy. Their self-titled 2020 album *Awake by Design* and recent singles like *The Only Ones* (2023) showcase their knack for pairing introspective lyrics about resilience with razor-sharp instrumentation.

With nods from outlets like *Powerplay* and *Prog Magazine*, they’ve carved a niche in the UK’s prog-metal scene. Tracks like *Unfaded* and *Carve the Sun* highlight their balance of technical flair and heartfelt hooks, while *Live at ToneSphere* (2023) captures their stage intensity. Whether through studio releases or punchy live recordings, Awake By Design keep their focus on themes of struggle and growth—no frills, just fist-pumping authenticity.