The Awakening, a renowned Gothic Rock and Darkwave band, has just released their new single and music video "Mirror Midnight."
This track is the first glimpse into their highly anticipated self-titled 12th album, which is set to be released on October 18, 2024, through Intervention Arts. Fans can pre-order the album on vinyl, CD, and various limited-edition formats here.
The new single "Mirror Midnight," created by South African-born songwriter and frontman Ashton Nyte, is accompanied by a visually striking black-and-white music video. Nyte, who shot the video in a film noir style, explains that the song delves into the theme of self-obsession, manipulated by mass and social media as well as the overwhelming influx of information and disinformation. The video’s aesthetic complements the Gothic and Darkwave elements that The Awakening is known for.
Nyte elaborates, "Mirror Midnight is about the obsession of the self, as guided and fed and manipulated by mass media, social media, and the endless flood of information and disinformation we all deal with constantly. It’s the juxtaposition of succumbing to insidious and divisive marketing while the world goes up in flames. And how that cycle feeds itself. It’s a story almost as old as time, like the fairy tale it alludes to".
The new album is described as a celebration of the band’s roots and influences. Nyte notes, "Essentially, I fell in love all over again with the bands and albums that made me want to create this sort of art in the first place. It was a true joy to create this work".
This release follows Nyte’s 2023 solo album "Autumn’s Children," which was selected as one of American Songwriter’s Top 17 Albums of 2023. Nyte reflects, "The last two Awakening albums were departures for me. 'This Alchemy' (2021) explored the more electronic side of my musical personality, and 'The Passage Remains' (2022) effectively cleared out the vaults of unreleased heavier material. It feels like time to come home".
Upcoming Tour Dates
Fans will have the opportunity to experience the new material live during Nyte’s upcoming solo acoustic EU/UK tour, marking his first post-COVID tour. Here are the confirmed dates:
- 28 SEP – Campus Noir Festival, Ilmenau, Germany
- 29 SEP – The Water Rats, London, UK
- 2 OCT – Fulford Arms, York, UK
- 3 OCT – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, UK
- 4 OCT – Record Junkee, Sheffield, UK
- 25 OCT – KOHI! Kulturraum, Karlsruhe, Germany
- 26 OCT – Pauluskirche, Dortmund, Germany
- 27 OCT – Cafe Foli-a, Retie, Belgium
- 1 NOV – Maria’s Ballroom, Hamburg, Germany
- 2 NOV – Brainstorm Festival, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands (Sold Out)
Tickets are available via The Awakening’s official site.
The Awakening was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the late '90s and has since evolved into a dark musical project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, author, actor, and songwriter Ashton Nyte. The band's sound has continually morphed, embracing elements of Gothic Rock, Darkwave, Gothic Metal, Industrial Rock, Post-punk, Electronic, and New Wave. With a catalog of over 300 released original songs, The Awakening has enjoyed airplay and chart success on major independent radio stations worldwide and has toured extensively, headlining music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa.
Nyte's prolific career also includes eight solo albums, two books, and contributions to various other projects featuring members of The Cure, Peter Murphy, The Mission, Beauty In Chaos, and All About Eve. His philanthropic efforts include hosting the "Rock Against Rape" concert series and presenting a lecture series at US universities focused on tolerance and acceptance.
The release of "Mirror Midnight" and the upcoming self-titled album mark an exciting new chapter for The Awakening. With a rich history of musical exploration and a dedicated fan base, Ashton Nyte continues to push the boundaries of Gothic Rock and Darkwave, delivering compelling and thought-provoking art.
Watch the “Mirror Midnight” video here and listen to the single on Spotify.
