THE AWAKENING – “MIRROR MIDNIGHT”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE
Today we present a special something for fans of The Sisters Of Mercy, HIM and The Mission, not to mention lovers of good music otherwise, as we welcome the latest offering from gothic rock outfit The Awakening. Formed in 1990s Johannesburg, South Africa, The Awakening revolves around the sonic universe of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ashton Nyte, whose work we are already acquainted with through his collaborations with LA-based supergroup Beauty In Chaos, including the newly-released BIC album Dancing With Angels.
The Awakening’s new single “Mirror Midnight” is a rich dark and satisfying serving of their forthcoming self-titled album (their 12th album since inception), out October 18 via Intervention Arts. Also an actor and author, it comes as no surprise that Nyte himself filmed and edited the “Mirror Midnight” video, shot in his preferred black-and-white format, with a gothic noir film treatment.
Straight to the heart of contemporary psyche, this lush, dark, and infectious track weaves a haunting narrative of self-obsession, fueled by the relentless onslaught of media and social media. With convincing lyrical and evocative imagery, The Awakening paints a vivid picture of a society consumed by image and the dangers of the deep dark web – a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked self-obsession and the seductive allure of media manipulation. With a message as enduring as fairy tales, this song serves as a reminder of the timeless nature of human folly. A legacy act in their own right, The Awakening offers us a stunning, most welcome introduction to their newest album.
Ashton Nyte shared some insight into the new single: “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 Awakening album follows Nyte’s second book and eighth solo album Autumn’s Children, which was selected as one of American Songwriter’s Top 17 Albums of 2023. This new album is a celebration of the band’s roots and influences. “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,” says Ashton Nyte.
“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 it’s time to come home.”
Apart from working with Beauty In Chaos’ Michael Ciravolo and Grammy nominated Ministry producer Michael Rozon, Nyte has collaborated with members of The Cure, The Mission, Tricky, All About Eve, as well as Peter Murphy’s band, among others. Over the years, The Awakening has toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people.
Nyte has written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his “Rock Against Rape” concert series. He has also presented a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance. He’d also seen success in the sync licensing realms with popular television shows, such as ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ and ‘The Purge’. Nyte has contributed to several scores, working with composer Ethan Gold for the movie ‘Don’t Let Go’ (premiering at the Sundance Film Festival) and for the movie ‘Pale Horse’, directed by the late Pearry Teo.
As of September 4, “Mirror Midnight”can be downloaded from fine music platforms. The Awakening album, now available for pre-order, will be released on vinyl, CD, digitally and various limited-edition formats. Following his 36-date EU tour with The Mission’s Wayne Hussey in 2019, Ashton Nyte returns to Europe and the UK soon, with live dates commencing on September 28. Tickets are available via The Awakening’s official site.
Single Credits
All music and lyrics by Ashton Nyte
Published by Intervention Arts / ASCAP (2024)
Recorded, mixed & produced by Ashton Nyte at Intervention Studios (USA)
Cover artwork & artist photos by Ashton Nyte
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video created by Ashton Nyte
While you are here, also enjoy the latest output from The Awakening and Ashton Nyte:
The Awakening
[Single]
(Intervention Arts)
Release Date: September 4, 2024
Tour Dates
Sept 28 ILMENAU, GERMANY – Campus Noir Festival
Sept 29 LONDON, UK – The Water Rats
Oct 02 YORK, UK – Fulford Arms
Oct 03 EDINBURGH, UK – Cabaret Voltaire
Oct 04 SHEFFIELD, UK – Record Junkee
Oct 25 KARLSRUHE, GERMANY – KOHI Kulturraum
Oct 26 DORTMUND, GERMANY – Pauluskirche
Oct 27 RETIE, BELGIUM – Cafe Foli-A
Nov 01 HAMBURG, GERMANY – Maria’s Ballroom
Nov 02 APELDOORN, THE NETHERLANDS – Brainstorm Festival (SOLD OUT)
Artist Links
Photo Credits: Ashton Nyte
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