The Awakening cover

The Awakening

Merciless · 1989

38 min · 12 tracks · death metal · thrash metal

Relentless thrashing guitars and guttural vocals create a harrowing descent into the depths of death metal's early landscape.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady, consistent energy levels
  • short, intense listening bursts
  • dark, immersive atmospheres
  • dynamic emotional journeys

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1989, The Awakening was Merciless' debut album, marking their entry into the Swedish death metal scene. At this time, the band was establishing its identity amidst the burgeoning death metal movement, which was gaining traction following the success of bands like Entombed and Dismember.
Stylistic neighbors
Akercocke· Witchery· Black Obelisk

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Pure Hate 3:28
  • 2 Souls of the Dead 2:59
  • 3 The Awakening 3:10
  • 4 Dreadful Fate 2:47
  • 5 Realm of the Dark 3:52
  • 6 Dying World 4:18
  • 7 Bestial Death 2:25
  • 8 Denied Birth 4:01
  • 9 Bestial Death (live) 2:20
  • 10 The Awakening (live) 3:09
  • 11 Nuclear Attack (live) 2:26
  • 12 Pure Hate (live) 3:10

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata