Imminence – The Black – An Emotional Journey
Photo by Oscar Dziedziela
Band: Imminence
Album Title: The Black
Label: Self-released
Release Date: 12/04/2024
Imminence‘s new album, “The Black“, was released on April 12, 2024, and it takes us on an emotionally intense journey through a multitude of sounds and feelings. From the intriguing introduction of “Come Hell or High Water” to the haunting conclusion of “Le Noir,” each track offers a unique and immersive sonic experience.
Let darkness unfold
The album kicks off strongly with “Come Hell or High Water“, their first single. It is immediately captivating with its distorted sounds and mysterious atmosphere. While some may have been surprised at first, for me, this debut single convinced me from the first listen. I listened to it on repeat for a long time.
We then move on to tracks like “Desolation” and “Heaven Shall Burn” maintaining this energy with powerful riffs and Eddie Berg‘s commanding vocals. These songs, released as singles, laid solid foundations for this album.
Following that is “Beyond the Pale“, which brings an interesting electronic touch to the intro, adding a new dimension to Imminence‘s sound. The combination of Eddie‘s perfectly mastered clean and guttural vocals creates a captivating dynamic. One of the most striking elements of the song and even the album, in my opinion, is the scream on “Death is waiting on me” that he resonates at the end of the breakdown. Just that part alone makes me want to revisit this song regularly.
We continue with my second favorite single, “Death By A Thousand Cuts“. From the lyrics to the guitar and the vocal performance, the melodies of this track have captivated me. The lyrics during the breakdown are just begging to be sung along to. It’s a song that demonstrates Imminence’s ability to convey emotions effortlessly.
As I watch my world burn
“Come What May” plunges us into a heavy sonic landscape right from the start. Imminence holds nothing back in terms of intensity, adding signature dramatic violin elements to the mix. However, the violins offer a contrast of calm and serenity amidst this heaviness. With a duration of over six minutes, I wonder if the intensity will be sustained throughout the song. But no, a pause in the music brings us a moment of respite. We are treated to an enchanting and cinematic interlude where the violin takes center stage. Its exquisite melody is so captivating that I lose track of time while listening to it. As the song draws to a close, the outro expands into a vast sonic landscape, inviting me to close my eyes and fully immerse myself in the experience.
Let’s continue with the fascinating “Cul-de-Sac“, our first true interlude of the album. From the first notes, a cinematic atmosphere envelops us. The tension is palpable, as if we are on the brink of discovering something dark and mysterious. However, just as the anxiety reaches its peak, the violin emerges to dispel our fears, if only for a moment. The interlude then takes an unexpected turn before plunging us into the next song. I was hoping for a smooth transition to the next track. But Imminence chose to give us a brief pause before continuing the musical journey.
“The Call of the Void” comes in strong with a frenetic pace, confirming the earlier feeling from “Cul-de-Sac” that something dark is about to happen. The lyrics perfectly capture this sensation. A break with clear vocals intervenes, with the refrain “it pulls me in“, just like his voice enchants us. One thing is certain, when there’s a pause in an Imminence song, we know they will come back stronger, more powerful than ever.
“This is the end of everything as I watch my world burn the sweet sound of death’s release, it’s the call of the void”
This is the black
“Continuum“, released as a single, marks a return to a slower pace. This track is a breath of fresh air after all the heaviness in the album so far.
“L’Appel du Vide“, another French titled track, echoes the previous piece “The Call of the Void“, but in a different language. The inclusion of songs with the same title on the same album is interesting. It could suggest potential parallels between them. However, this second interlude takes a radically different approach from its counterpart. Its slow tempo and minimalist instrumentation create a relaxed atmosphere with clear guitar melodies leading the way. However, despite its apparent tranquility, the song builds in intensity towards the end, offering a hint of optimism amidst the darker moments of the album.
“The Black“, the album’s last single, combines piano, violin, and vocals to create a powerful sonic experience. This track offers a grand and monumental sound. Its placement just before the album’s ultimate interlude serves as a fitting conclusion to the musical journey. We conclude with “Le Noir“, another French titled track, which focuses on the violins, highlighting the emotional resonance of this instrument. As the song progresses, it gains in intensity, culminating in a crescendo that marks a poignant end to the album, signalling the conclusion of its emotional journey.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Imminence‘s album “The Black” offers a captivating journey, with six singles out of twelve songs and three interludes, leaving us with three entirely new tracks. Despite this, the album remains dramatic and immersive, taking listeners on a musical journey. It’s fascinating to observe how each single fits into this narrative. I highly recommend watching the music videos while listening to the album, as they effectively complement the songs’ dramatic and cinematic aspects. The vocal performances throughout the album are truly remarkable. Although I would have preferred smoother transitions between songs to maintain a less interrupted journey, “The Black” is undeniably an epic album that stays true to Imminence’s distinctive sound, making it easily recognizable as their work.
Favorite songs: Come Hell or High Water, Death By a Thousand Cuts
Memorable moment: The breakdown in Come What May
Unexpected favorite: The Black