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.
Wasted Miracle
The Awakening Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mental attack forgone
What doesn't kill makes a man strong
And I will heal, I'll take them on
But maybe it's just a waste of a miracle
Maybe just a waste of time
I couldn't speak the fractured dome
They would oppress my very dreams
My writhing frame of lesser screams
But maybe it's just a waste of a miracle
Maybe just a waste of time
They'll bleed you dry if you give them a chance
You've got to ask yourself if that's what you want
But maybe it's a waste of a miracle
Maybe just a waste of time
The lyrics from The Awakening's song "Wasted Miracle" express the frustration of being in a situation that feels like it drains a significant amount of energy, but ultimately may be futile. The first verse declares that the singer is back where they belong, having overcome a mental attack. This can be interpreted as the singer having faced a difficult situation and coming out the other side with a stronger mental capacity. However, as the chorus reveals, perhaps this isn't enough. The line "Maybe it's just a waste of a miracle" suggests that the singer realizes that this newfound strength may be in vain. The second verse speaks to a feeling of oppression and suppression of dreams. The line "My writhing frame of lesser screams" portrays the singer's intense inner turmoil. Again, the song returns to the idea of a wasted miracle. The bridge implies the necessity of asking oneself if the effort put in will be worth it in the end.
The song presents a sort of existential questioning about the meaning of the struggle. While the singer clearly has undergone some form of transformation, the doubt in the chorus and bridge highlights the idea that this change may not amount to anything significant. The repetition of the line "Maybe it's just a waste of time" is haunting, as it emphasizes the possibility that the singer's efforts could have no lasting impact. Overall, "Wasted Miracle" is a poignant meditation on the balance between personal growth and the potential for that growth to end up futile.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm right back where I belong
I have returned to my rightful place and feel at home once again.
Mental attack forgone
I have overcome any mental obstacles and am no longer under attack from those negative thoughts.
What doesn't kill makes a man strong
Adversity can make us stronger and more resilient.
And I will heal, I'll take them on
I will recover from any pain and face my challenges head-on.
But maybe it's just a waste of a miracle
Perhaps my efforts are futile and not worth the miracle I am hoping for.
Maybe just a waste of time
My endeavors could be pointless and not worth pursuing.
I am complete, I am whole
I am content and satisfied with who I am as a person.
I couldn't speak the fractured dome
I struggled to express my thoughts and emotions due to a broken state of mind.
They would oppress my very dreams
Others would try to suppress and hinder my aspirations and goals.
My writhing frame of lesser screams
My weakened and struggling state resulted in cries for help and desperation.
They'll bleed you dry if you give them a chance
Others can drain and exhaust you if you allow them to take advantage of you.
You've got to ask yourself if that's what you want
It's important to reflect and consider if you are willing to sacrifice your own well-being for the sake of others.
But maybe it's a waste of a miracle
Perhaps using a significant change or miracle to help others is not the best use of it in this situation.
Maybe just a waste of time
It's possible that trying to help others in this way will result in wasted time and effort without making a significant impact.
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.