The band was formed in Moscow in 2003 by Rouben Kazariyan, former mastermind of the leading Russian progressive metal band Nordream. In mid-2002 he left the band and soon joined the legendary Russian metal act - Ens Cogitans. After a short while he decided to work out his own music outside Ens Cogitans under another moniker. Rouben recruited the drummer, Vladimir Muchnov (Ens Cogitans, Frenzied Efforts, ex-Catharsis) and bassist Mikhail Korolev (his ex-colleague in Nordream). Later they were joined by incredible female vocalist, Liisa Lagoun who came from acid jazz scene. After months of hard work the new band tentatively called Southwake came up with great amount of material and began recording their first CD. In parallel with the recording process Southwake played gigs in Moscow that brought certain attention from public interested in new and fresh rock/metal stuff and showed great live potential of the band. Drum tracks were recorded in well known Russian recording studio Black Obelisk. During the recording session Mikhail decided to leave Southwake in order to join quite popular local alternative band Slot, which gave him opportunity to play on same scene with Korn, Samael, etc. Rouben handled bass parts and recorded those in another well known Russian studio - Dai Records. The rest of the instruments (guitars, vocals and programming) were recorded by Rouben and Liisa in Roubens own home studio. In summer of 2005 Rouben finished mixing the album. The band spent several months to find an interested and dedicated record company which was finally found in autumn of the same year in the shape of leading Russian metal label, Irond Records. Southwake debut CD saw the light on the 7th of November released through Ironds sub-label, Molot Records. Incredibly varied (from electronics to metal, from trip-rock to blast-beats), this album contains 9 great catchy tracks with a huge amount of freshness and originality. The list of influences includes such names as Incubus, A Perfect Circle, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, The Gathering, Faith No More, Bon Jovi, Waltari, Dredg, Smashing Pumpkins and even Tool!
