The Awakening is a dark musical project born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the late ’90s as the creative expression of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, author, actor and songwriter Ashton Nyte. The Awakening’s sound has morphed and mutated over the years, incorporating elements of Gothic Rock, Darkwave, Gothic Metal, Industrial Rock, Post-punk, Electronic, New Wave, Folk Noir and other theatrical meanderings.

Frontman Ashton Nyte has released 8 solo albums and 2 books in addition to his work as The Awakening. He has contributed vocals and lyrics to several other projects, featuring members of The Cure, Peter Murphy, The Mission, Beauty In Chaos, and All About Eve, among others.

Nyte has written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his Rock Against Rape concert series and presenting a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance. He has had songs featured in major television shows like Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBOMax), The Purge (USA Network), among others.

Music journalists have described Nyte as “Johannesburg’s Bowie” for his widely varying musical styles and theatrical performance approach. With a catalogue of over 350 released original songs, Ashton Nyte and The Awakening have enjoyed airplay and chart success on major independent radio stations worldwide and have toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people.