The Awakening
Darker Than Silence
If you are looking for a cookie cutter type Christian band with basic
music, vocals and a close minded mentality for lyrics...then don't
listen to The Awakening! But if you are open-minded and allow
yourself for a new style of unique vocals, lyrics and music...then
listen to The Awakening!
If you are a fan of Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails or Rammstein!!
"The Awakening came into existence in March of 1995, began live performances in February of 1996 & have released an average of an album a year since the release of "Risen" in 1997. Passion, beauty & romance are blended with the dark & paranormal to create something quite unique, against the backdrop of South Africa. An emotional journey that has resulted in more than a few line-up changes & an extensive catalogue of diverse, powerful music." (www.theawakening.co.za)
INTENSE! That is what best describes the most unique blend of industrial, gothic and electric rock. Ashton Nyte is the lead singer and mastermind behind this music machine. Musically the cd has a complete range of emotion and feel. I'm not usually a fan of gothic style of music but the industrial merge is amazing and gives a good balance. There is honestly no true way to define this album except chaotic perfection. The cd kicks off with an almost eerie song "Death Says Yes" which gives a European metal vibe like Rammstein. Songs mix electronic synthesizers with acoustic guitars and hard driving guitars on songs like "The Man Wasn't There." Songs like "Armageddon Style" will feed the need for true industrial fans alike. There is also an intensity of down right eeriness on tracks like "Deprivation" with driving bass and piano. There is something poetic about The Awakening and I just cant put a finger on it. If you want to take a listen to a few tracks then check out www.youngside.com.
Vocally, the same musical description describes Ashton Nyte. His vocal style is almost operatic which blends very well to the gothic/industrial vibe. You picture a guy in black clothes, black hair staring into your soul as you listen to the depth of his vocal range. If any of you remember the Crash Test Dummies, he sounds like the lead singer of them. Remember "Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm"? Ashton is a performer and the theatrics cry out of his vocal style. Lyrically, the visionary lyrics are as captivating as the vocals. With intense imagery, fans of modern rock and pop are not gonna get into this. Their is a light going into the dark with the intensity of lyrics. The lyrics are not "in your face" Christian messages but there are messages of hope and resurrection of a new life intertwined within.
Many people would be surprised how much I like this album knowing my range is basically nu-metal to hard core and nothing more. But this is the type of music I was drawn to in my college days. If you find your self liking gothic or industrial then you have GOT to purchase this album. My one problem is that some of the songs could be triggering for cutters. Is that The Awakenings fault? Not at all, but knowing the ministry we have started on our forum with Crimson Ashes, I felt it in order to give warning.