Imminence is a four-piece Swedish band that combines metalcore with alt-rock and classical instrumentation, and features on-and-off harsh vocals. The band was formed in 2009 and chose its name in 2010 after a year of playing together.
In July, they dropped their new singles "Crestfallen" and "False Light". These singles are beautifully done from beginning to end and capture a lovely duality: softer musical elements in "Crestfallen" and harsher vocals and heavier riffs in "False Light," showcasing the band's full range of sound. While both tracks have a different take on the sound, this goes to show the amount of talent that the members of Imminence have.
The cover art is spot on, as these tracks feel like they belong in movies and shows about knights or Renaissance-type war shows and games. I could feel this fitting into a scene in a boss battle even, especially "False Light". This feels so on point for something like the video game Dark Souls, and its counterpart, Bloodborne.
Both "Crestfallen" and "False Light" have such a melodic and cinematic touch to them that it feels like it almost becomes the soundtrack for the world around you when you hit play on them. The production quality and skill put into these singles don't go unnoticed! The mixing and mastering on them is immaculate, with the vocals and instrumentals all in balance and not warring to be heard over one another.
The music video for "False Light" is honestly as gorgeous as the song itself. With scenes of the band playing in a dead forest and close-ups of a knight on the battlefield fighting, following orders that leave him conflicted with his own morality, and warring with himself. After the war scenes, we catch the knight seeking help from a blacksmith to remove his armor, only to then take the life of the blacksmith as well. In one scene, we see the knight at a cemetery as he tries to end his life at the hands of his own sword, only to be denied the relief he seeks. When he is unable to die, he desecrates the tombstones around him before rolling himself into an open grave and waiting there. We see what looks to be him fighting himself before the other him turns to smoke and drifts away. At the end, they picture him stumbling upon a camp in the forest before being ambushed by the campers. He leaves them all dead on the ground, only to hear small whimpers from a bag on the cart, where a small puppy has been left. As the song and video end, we see him walking slowly away from the camera with the small puppy trailing behind.
I can't tell you all how much I love this video! It's a beautiful and raw way to show the internal struggle we as humans go through, but honestly, a great way to understand that war veterans continue to fight internally once they come home, too. This video is cinematically done and makes the viewers feel exactly what the band wanted us to feel along with the song.
If two new singles weren't enough for you, then you will be delighted to hear that Imminence is releasing their new album "Axis Mundi" on October 2nd under Sumerian Records!
This album will explore life, death, and the human experience using mythology as a cornerstone for the storytelling. Bring a world of tragedy and the lived experience to you through sound, lyrics, and music videos.
Make sure you pick up some merch, including shirts, hoodies, CDs, vinyls, and even cassettes.
Photo Credit: @ilonagerasymova on IG
