Their first three albums ('In a Time of Blood and Fire', 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination' and 'The Sacred Talisman') feature the former vocalist Anders Zackrisson, while the newer albums are sung by Johnny Lindkvist. Also the musical style has changed a bit during the years; some demo's were something more like death metal, but then the three first cd releases pure melodic power metal, and on "Afterlife" they took a bit heavier approach with influences of true heavy metal like Masterplan and Dream evil and even some thrash metal riffs, though the melodic choruses were kept right in the core of the songs.
They have released a few more albums since, with the latest ones being 'Grand Illusion' that came in 2005 and '8th Sin' that came out in 2007. The band keeps on fighting on and remains one of Scandinavia's best known power metal bands.
On June 21st, 2008 it was announced that guitarist Nils Norberg has left the band. On May 9th, 2010, Chris Rörland joined Nocturnal Rites. A video of him playing and Fredrik Mannberg talking a bit about him can be seen here.
AWAKENING
Nocturnal Rites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because time and tide it waits for no man
There's something strange in me,
I know the things that should not be
It's all a mindless game,
Trapped inside the walls I built
Try to pull them down,
Then the feeling comes alive
I can't hold it any more
Enemy, is it you
End of the line, walking alone
In this void of my own
Demons of guilt, a battle to win
This is my awakening
There's no turning back,
There's nothing to awaken me
Insanity my friend,
I can feel your gripping hand
To roam the earth alive,
But feel as if you're dead and dreaming
Try to break away, but nothing helps me
Then the feeling comes alive
I can't hold it any more
Enemy, is it you
End of the line, walking alone
In this void of my own
Demons of guilt, a battle to win
This is my awakening
End of the line, walking alone
In this void of my own
Demons of guilt, a battle to win
This is my awakening
End of the line, walking alone
In this void of my own
Demons of guilt, a battle to win
This is my awakening
My awakening
The lyrics to "Awakening" by Nocturnal Rites tell the tale of a person coming to terms with their inner demons and struggling with feelings of guilt and insanity. The first verse speaks of the end of a journey, with time and tide not waiting for anyone. The singer feels that there's something strange within them, something they can't explain. They know that there are certain things they shouldn't be feeling, but they can't seem to shake them off.
The singer then talks about being trapped inside the walls they've built for themselves, trying to pull them down but always being stopped by something. They then have a moment where they feel alive, and they can't help but wonder if their enemy is the one stopping them from breaking free. The chorus speaks of the singer being at the end of the line, walking alone in their own void, battling against their demons of guilt. They refer to this moment as their "awakening".
The second verse continues with the theme of feeling trapped and being unable to break free. The singer talks about feeling as if they're roaming the earth alive but dead and dreaming at the same time. They try to break away but nothing helps them. They then have another moment where they feel alive, but they can't hold onto it for long. They once again wonder if their enemy is the one holding them back. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, as the singer embraces their awakening and faces their demons head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll end my journey here,
I have decided to put an end to my journey.
Because time and tide it waits for no man
I need to end my journey because time and tide wait for no one.
There's something strange in me,
I sense that there is something odd inside me.
I know the things that should not be
I am aware of things that shouldn't exist.
It's all a mindless game,
Everything seems to be meaningless and random.
Trapped inside the walls I built
I created my own boundaries and limitations that are now holding me back.
Try to pull them down,
I am attempting to remove these barriers.
But something stops me
I am facing an obstacle that is preventing me from breaking free.
Then the feeling comes alive
A strong emotion takes over me.
I can't hold it any more
I am unable to suppress this feeling any longer.
Enemy, is it you
I am questioning if my obstacle is an enemy or not.
End of the line, walking alone
I am at the end of the road, and I am on my own.
In this void of my own
I feel as if I am in my own empty space.
Demons of guilt, a battle to win
I am fighting against my own guilt and inner demons.
This is my awakening
I am experiencing a realization or epiphany about myself.
There's no turning back,
I have reached a point of no return.
There's nothing to awaken me
There aren't any external factors that can change my current state of mind.
Insanity my friend,
I am acknowledging my own level of madness.
I can feel your gripping hand
I am feeling the strong hold of insanity over me.
To roam the earth alive,
To be alive and wander the earth.
But feel as if you're dead and dreaming
To feel like you're not really living or that life is a dream-like state.
Try to break away, but nothing helps me
I am trying to escape my current situation but am unable to find a solution.
My awakening
This is the realization that I have come to.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHAN FOLKE NORBERG, MEJA ANNA PERNILLA BECKMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@julioluiz
Spotify put this masterpiece in my discover weekly playlist and I couldn't be more hooked on this chorus...
@Darkwildchild
A very nice video. Nocturnal Rites is a great band. Btw.. this is not from the album Grand Illusion, it's from New World Messiah ;) Keep up! \m/
@daniel.llorca9724
One of the best songs of all the times
@CavaloRoxo
power metal will never die
@insanepoet9
One of my favorite power metal bands
@megakinger01
never heard this band , but it is amazing!! Metal ever rules
@daniel.llorca9724
One of the best songs of Nocturnal Rites
@Klikko2000
This is really awesome. Not only a good gitarist, but the singing is really good. Nice voice! Really like this band :D
@painowner
simply amazing, they're one of my favourite bands
@wuzzer17
Fuck man, i really regret not listening to these guys before, they're awesome! will they still be releasing any new albums?