Imminence - The Reclamation of I
Ten years later, Swedish metalcore band Imminence re-releases their debut album, I. The album, The Reclamation of I, achieves the difficult task of staying true to the original tracks while showcasing the way the band has evolved through the years.
Proclaim
The track dives into the complex fear of leaving this world and being forgotten by those they are leaving behind. Imminence opens the track with a string instrumental that creates an atmospheric and sorrowful melody. As the track progress, the beat transforms into a heavier sound with powerful guitars and drums to create an intense atmosphere. Our protagonist is struggling with the fear of leaving this world without a legacy for those to remember him by. “Please don’t forget me,” and “Call my name,” are repeated throughout the track, indicating the protagonist is begging to be remembered after death. “I know you’re there. Please call my name,” suggests the protagonist can remember those who are important to him and seeking to have the same remembrance.
86
Imminence captures the essence of feeling stuck and the struggles of not living up to your full potential. The track opens with lyrics like “I keep waiting to start my life/ It feels like the cut of a knife/ These words have been there all along,” expressing the struggle the protagonist is feeling trying to start their life and the pain they are suffering from waiting for so long for their life to start. The melody is a direct reflection of how the protagonist is feeling, with heavy guitars and screaming vocals to emphasize their frustration. The protagonist brings forward the perspective of life is too short to not follow our dreams and chase the life we have always wanted.
Every Breath
The track looks at the complexities of finding the right direction and taking the necessary steps towards change. The repeated lyrics of “It starts with you,” expresses frustration from the protagonist recognizing it is on them to change their life, and nobody is going to force the change for them. The lyrics also speak directly to the listener, creating a sense of personal connection without referencing anyone by name. The overall message of the track is impactful, the repetition and the simplicity of the lyrics make it one of the weaker tracks on the album for me.
Salt of the Earth
The previous tracks on the album have focused on personal themes, this track shifts to focus on the broader societal rifts and showing how societal differences are causing a divide. The lyrics “There’s a flag that I love for what it was/ It gave you freedom, but you hate it,” reflect the conflict between admiring something symbolic like a flag and coming to resent its meaning. With so many societal issues happening around the world, it’s easier for listeners to connect and reflect on their own personal experiences.
Broken, Lost
The track navigates the complexities of relationships and the struggles the protagonist faces with wanting to embrace significant changes in their life without the support of their partner. The lyrics “She held my hopes right in front of me/ Just close enough out of reach,” capture the protagonist’s frustration with seeking support while being mocked by someone close to them. The protagonist is continuously battling with internally to chase towards their goals, but the fear of losing someone is holding them back. The track does a tremendous job of showing vulnerability and the intensity of battling with yourself for independence and the desire to keep old relationships alive.
Du
Imminence switches things up on this track as it is sung in the band’s native language. The track has a continuous atmospheric, ethereal melody that creates this dreamlike world for listeners. The last chorus shifts dramatically, we’re taken from the calming melody to fast beats and creating an intense energy. Rather than the lyrics being sung, the lyrics are screamed with intensity to add weight and amplify the meaning behind the lyrics.
The Seventh Seal
The track takes us through the intricacies of battling with the fear of dying with regrets and attempting to mend broken relationships. The lyrics “I look back at all the wrongs I’ve turned/ And all the matches they are burnt,” show our protagonist reflecting on the relationships they have burned and longing to fix these past mistakes. The protagonist believes his mistakes are beyond repair and no amount of apologizing can rebuild his mistakes. The track captures the loneliness and an inescapable regret with lyrics like “Don’t try, don’t try/ To deny, to deny/ Empty smiles, lonely faces/ The sorrow piles.” Listeners can relate to this track because we have all experienced the feeling of being hurt and wondering about the possibilities of rekindling old relationships.
Those Who Seek
Next, we dive into the protagonist’s struggle with leaving a toxic relationship he can’t seem to break away from. The lyrics “I’ve opened my heart up to let you in/ But how do I get you under my skin,” tell how he’s made attempts to leave the relationship, but fails to break the cycle and commit to fully leaving. The protagonist has asked time and time again for a moment that proves the relationship is worth saving. The track’s ending chorus combines a continuous shift between singing and screaming to convey his frustrations with allowing this toxic relationship to continue.
Last Legs
Through enticing lyrics and entrancing melodies, the track explores the feeling of self-isolation and struggling with inner pain. The lyrics “That place where my heart should be,” encapsulate the feeling of withering away and feeling empty on the inside. Rather than seeking help, our protagonist continues to suffer in silence. The protagonist believes numbing their emotions and detaching themselves from reality, so love can hopefully find meaning.
A Sense of Doubt
The final track of the album tackles the sense of exhaustion and feeling of being uninspired. The lyrics “When your lungs start gasping for air/ When you came so far but never got there,” tackle the disconnect the protagonist feels with attempting to reach an unobtainable goal and falling short. The battle continues for the protagonist as he battles internally with the idea of continuing to pursue his dreams. This track stands out as my favorite on the album, primarily because of the soothing melody that lulls you into your own thoughts. The melody reflects the emotional exhaustion the protagonist is feeling. By the end of the track, the beats remain the same soothing tone, but the lyrics are screamed rather than sung like most of the song. This shift showcases the protagonist is finally allowing himself to feel, almost as if the protagonist is finally reaching his breaking point with his internal struggles.
The re-release of the album showcases how Imminence has evolved both musically and emotionally as a band. This new version highlights their growth, offering listeners a more refined sound and cleaner vocals from lead vocalist Eddie Berg.