With their new album, Facade, I Was Awake has released upon the world a substantial effort that shows the versatility and raw talent of the five-piece metal group.  Weaving together a dynamic web of prog, metal, and alt-rock that invokes the greatness of bands like The Deftones and Porcupine Tree, while maintaining an original and modern energy, the boys from Beverly, MA have created a deeply engaging sound that will keep this album on heavy rotation.  From beginning to end, each track shows a different facet of the band, starting with the title track, a one and a half minute crescendo, leading up to the hard-hitting "Erasing", filled with chunky guitars and mixed meter grooves.  Facade is a journey, maintaining those strong grooves, taking periodic stops for high-energy riffs ("Gravity") and softer dynamics ("As Within...", "...So Without").  If thought provoking lyricism and intelligent songwriting is your thing, then I Was Awake will likely become a new favorite.  Give Facade a listen (or twelve) and keep your eyes open for live performances in 2017. -Brian Varneke 

By now, you've probably seen every kind of "Year-End" or "[insert name here]'s Year-in-Review" list imagineable, but this one is way more exciting than anything the mainstream media gods have to say, so listen-up. Near the end of 2015, The Deli invited artsts from every corner of New England to submit their work for our annual year-end poll. After tallying our editors' ratings for the Open Submissions stage, we're delighted to announce the results. Please note: To avoid conflicts, no local editor was allowed to vote for bands in their own scene. 

Editors: Jonathan (The Deli DC area); Jason (The Deli Chicago)

Total submissions from New England: 26

Big Big Buildings Score: 7.83/10


Squirrel Flower Score: 7.33/10


Gavage Score: 7.16/10 

Gang of Thieves Score: 7.16/10 


The Tsunamibots Score: 7.16/10 


Babydriver Score: 7.16/10 


Able Days Score: 7/10 


Carissa Johnson Score: 7/10 


Honorable mentions (scored above 6/10):
blindspot; The Silver Mirrors; Aloud; Art Thieves; Weekend Greg; Black Rabbit; I Was Awake; Liz Frame and the Kickers

WHAT’S NEXT: These results conclude the first phase of the poll. We will soon unveil the artists nominated by our local jurors, and then let our readers and our writers influence the poll with their vote. After all of those votes have been taken into consideration, we'll announce the final overall winners.

Keep creating, keep supporting, and stay-tuned for your chance to vote!  

-The Deli New England staff

The results are in from the Open Submissions stage for our New England Year End Poll for Emerging Artists. All of the submissions were ranked by Deli Editors from other scenes and the list of acts that have advanced to our Readers’/Fans’ Poll phase are below. We will also be releasing the list of nominees chosen by our local "scene expert" jurors very soon.