Arts writer
THE AWAKENING, one of the country’s gothic metal exports, has just released their dramatic new single, The Carriage. ASP Records South Africa has announces that the group’s latest Halloween release, features members of The Mission and Coal Chamber.
The Carriage marks a triumphant return to the heavier side of The Awakening and is the lead single for the full album, to be released in March 2016, considered by the US-based band to be their “darkest and heaviest yet”.
The single was mastered by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles, noted for his work with Faith No More, Sepultura, Yes and Therion.
The song also features a blistering guitar solo from Mark Gemini Thwaite (guitarist for The Mission, Gary Numan, Peter Murphy) and is the first recording to feature The Awakening’s new bassist, Chela Rhea Harper (previously of Coal Chamber).
Since relocating to the US in 2008, The Awakening released their eight album, Tales Of Absolution + Obsoletion in 2009, toured extensively and completed work on Anthology XV.
Enigmatic front man and songwriter Ashton Nyte also released three solo albums, The Valley, Moederland and Some Kind Of Satellite to critical acclaim.
Apart from touring his solo work from New York to New Orleans, other highlights included a feature on PRI’s The World and an on-air performance on Border Crossings to over 125 million listeners. Current international features include Gothic Beauty, Sonic Seducer, Auxiliary, Regen, Giuseppina, Brutal Resonance and Bloodlit Radio..
The Awakening has enjoyed a dedicated following here since the release of Risen in 1997, featuring their rendition of The Sound Of Silence– something of a cult classic.
Numerous nationwide tours, headline slots at festivals like Oppikoppi and Ramfest and extensive radio support have maintained The Awakening’s goth status.
l See youtu.be/sfl00jwh-f4, www.theawakening.com, www.facebook.com/theawakeningofficial, www.twitter.com/ashtonnyte