'''''The Awakening''''' is the debut album by the Swedish [[death metal]] band [[Merciless (band)|Merciless]]. The original album was recorded and copyrighted in 1989, the album was not released until 1990 by [[Deathlike Silence Productions]] in February 1990.<ref name="Encyclopaedia Metallum">[http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=11215 Merciless (Swe) - The Awakening]</ref> The original press was limited to 1000 CDs and LPs and is now considered one of the most rare and expensive albums in heavy metal collecting. It was later re-issued in 1999 by [[Osmose Productions]] with a different color cover and four live bonus tracks. The live tracks were recorded in Uppsala, Sweden on 7 December 1990.