1) A Johannesburg (So… Read Full Bio ↴The Awakening is a name of at least six bands:
1) A Johannesburg (South Africa), alternative rock band
2) A 1970s U.S. funk/jazz group
3) A Long Island (NY, USA) post hardcore band
4) A Hungarian dark ambient act, better known as Awakening
5) A Göttingen (Germany) brutal death metal band
6) A Canadian Christian rock band active in the mid-late 80s influenced by Yes and The Beatles
1) A Johannesburg alternative rock band, formed in 1995 by vocalist, guitarist and producer Ashton Nyte. The band is credited in the press as "South Africa's most successful Gothic Rock act and one of the top bands in the far broader Alternative scene." The band has released 7 full-length studio albums, 1 greatest hits album, 2 music videos and 2 EPs, and have received significant radio play and club rotation throughout South Africa, Europe and the USA. They became the first gothic rock band to ever headline major national festivals throughout South Africa, including Oppikoppi, RAMfest, and many others. The band has had major chart success with several #1 hits on South Africa Rock charts (see sources) and charted on Germany's Alternative Charts.
As of 2009 the band is based in the United States with record label base in Germany (Massacre Records), South Africa and the USA (Intervention Arts). The band is touring the USA in 2009 for the fourth time, in support of their latest (8th) full-length studio album.
Sites: Wikipedia, Discogs, YouTube and Twitter
2) A U.S. instrumental funk/jazz group which produced only two studio albums, Hear, Sense and Feel (1972) and Mirage (1973), both on jazz pianist Gene Russell's Black Jazz label.
The label was founded in the early 70's, as an alternative to traditional jazz invoking a more political and spiritual tone, often with funk overtones. It made twenty-two releases in multiple genre, including: funk, free jazz and soul jazz.
Sites: Discogs
3) A six piece Long Island post hardcore band which was formed in February of 2008 releasing a self released E.P., Understanding Goodbyes. The band with its original members left for tour only a few months later in July with, “Thieves And Villains (Victory Records).” After tour, conflicts caused The Awakening to disband with no intentions of moving forward.
In April of 2009, The Awakening was brought back together with original members, Jerry Nedrow, Joe Votta, and Nick Tortora. New vocalist Mike D’amico, new guitarist John Arlet, and new synth player
Jason Bach all added. The new lineup put out the two song EP Mending the Broken and, shortly after its release, they toured. After their second east coast run with Beneath The Sky (victory records) drummer Nick Tatora and Guitarist John Ahrlet have left the band and has sense been replaced by Rich Urraro (guitar), Zack Austin (drums).
They planned to release an eight track EP in mid-November 2009 and to tour it the following month.
6) Canada's The Awakening released three albums in the latter part of the 1980s. The band's core duo of Andrew Horrocks on guitar and keyboardist Ian Tanner was joined by bassist Allan Powell and his brother Mike Powell on drums. A regional release produced by Richard J. Hutt, Two Worlds, came out in 1986. Tanner contributed five writing credits on the album's nine cuts to Horrocks' three (the Powells each had two). Wider distribution came with a contract signing with U.S. based Reunion Records. All but two tracks from Two Worlds would find their way onto 1987's Sanctified. Hutt returned as producer, helping write the new group effort "Distant Light", while Horrocks and Mike Powell contributed the new single "My Only Hope". In 1988, the band recorded final outing Into Thy Hands. Hutt once again produced and each member along with Hutt helped write the single and album opener "Don't Wait for Me". The band's Yes influence was made more explicit via a cover of that band's "Onward". CCM Magazine singled out the track "Knife of Life" as evidence of experimentation on the band's part.
Martyr
The Awakening Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But in my solitude I surrender
Where Judas smiles the curtain is torn
I am the weaker here, the pretender
And the Blood will make angles of us all
Oh beyond comprehension
That He would choose one who seldom takes the call
Straight to heart, defy convention
To keep our focus from the One
Who bled and died in a halo of pain
Labeled a fake, a heretic, while He is the true Son
And the Blood will make angles of us all
Oh beyond comprehension
That He would choose one who seldom takes the call
Straight to heart, defy convention
Perfect Martyr for me
Perfect Martyr for you
In the song "Martyr," The Awakening explores the concept of martyrdom, and how it relates to our relationship with god. The lyrics suggest that true devotion to god requires surrendering oneself completely, even if it means standing as a martyr, sacrificing one's life for the sake of their beliefs. The song suggests that in our quest to be hero worshipers, we often lose sight of the true hero - Jesus Christ - who bled and died for us, and instead focus on earthly heroes who are tangible and able to distract us from what really matters.
The opening lines "Where martyrs stand the idols fall but in my solitude I surrender" suggest that when one is truly devoted to their faith, worldly idols fall away and true devotion is affirmed. The following line, "Where Judas smiles the curtain is torn," seems to acknowledge the betrayal of Judas and how his actions ultimately led to Christ's crucifixion, representing the idea that even in dark times, true faith will prevail. The song continues with the idea that we may not always understand why we are called to be martyrs, but we must trust in God's plan and follow it nonetheless. The lyrics culminate in the affirmation that Jesus was the true martyr, and we should strive to follow in his footsteps.
Line by Line Meaning
Where martyrs stand the idols fall
When someone is willing to die for their beliefs, it often exposes the falsehood of the beliefs held by those in power.
But in my solitude I surrender
When alone with our thoughts, we may come to accept things we normally would resist.
Where Judas smiles the curtain is torn
When someone close to us betrays us, it can feel like our world is collapsing around us.
I am the weaker here, the pretender
When faced with a difficult situation, we may feel like we don't have the strength to cope or that we are pretending to be someone we are not.
And the Blood will make angles of us all
The sacrifice of Jesus, symbolized by his blood, has the power to transform us and make us better people.
Oh beyond comprehension
The mysteries of God and the universe are beyond our full understanding.
That He would choose one who seldom takes the call
God can choose anyone to do his work, even those who may seem unlikely candidates.
Straight to heart, defy convention
When we feel something deeply, we should follow our hearts even if it goes against convention or what others may think is right.
Our heroes are tangible and able
We often look up to people who are physically strong or capable, but we may overlook those who have inner strength and courage.
To keep our focus from the One
Our heroes and idols may distract us from the true source of our strength, which is God.
Who bled and died in a halo of pain
Jesus suffered greatly and died for our sins, yet his sacrifice was surrounded by a divine light that symbolizes his holiness and righteousness.
Labeled a fake, a heretic, while He is the true Son
Many people rejected Jesus and accused him of being a fraud or false teacher, but in reality he was the only true son of God.
Perfect Martyr for me
Jesus is the perfect example of a martyr, and we can aspire to follow his selfless example.
Perfect Martyr for you
Jesus is a role model for everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.