THIS IS THE BLACK! (But please come back.)

Are you in love with music? How much do you love it? I most likely fell in love with it upon birth, nodding to the beat of the hospital machines beeping my mom’s vitals. But when I try to pinpoint exactly when I became obsessed, when I started to NEED a good song after a bad day like a bandage to an open wound… I think maybe it was at the age of 11 when I found The Doors, then Tool, then NIN, and that downward spiral was so lovely that I followed it willingly, like Alice, down the rabbit hole. Perhaps that’s why, though I love all the genres, rock music speaks a special language straight to my soul.

There are three types of people in this world. 1) People who don’t listen to music. 2) People who listen to music. 3) People who CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IT. I fall into the latter category (or more like the Lateralus category, am-I-right?)

Growing up, very few people understood how much music touches my dark little soul. My obsessions were viewed as a passing phase, when they were, in fact, inherent to my chemical makeup. I NEED music. I need to hear the same song on repeat twenty times in a row, scream the lyrics, cry to the solo, and headbang away in the crowd right up until the ripe old age of forty, and beyond! It’s as important to me as church is to the pious. This is what I have come to realize, and in turn, appreciate about myself…

So, let’s talk about Imminence and THE BLACK tour.

Imminence is my favorite band right now. I tend to describe their music as “Swedish metalcore”, but it doesn’t do them a bit of justice. First off, being Swede has very little to do with anything, aside from their insanely charming accents. Secondly, their music ranges from this chill acoustic vibe that makes me want to light incense and put on soft lighting… to these crushing metal scores that call to my inner maniac and make me want hurl fists in the air. And then there’s the violin. A marriage of hardcore and symphony that, frankly, was long overdue in this world.

So how can I describe Imminence then? I know for a fact, from speaking to several fans in the Facebook group, it would be truthful to describe them as a band that heals its listeners. Their tunes have gotten fans through the worst of times, just knowing we’re not alone in wanting to simultaneously punch something, scream into a pillow, weep, and then retreat into a secluded cabin in an enchanted forest forevermore and leave this chaotic world to burn itself down. Was that too long-winded? I don’t know how else to put into words how fans respond, other than to say… It’s so easy to forget we are all human, and all suffering, until you throw on some good music like this and we can all suffer together. That is the essence of THE BLACK album and tour.

So, when I discovered Imminence was coming to St. Louis in May, I knew I’d be going. In all honesty, I would have driven 10-12 hours away to see them. I love them that much. I bought tickets the day they went on sale and eagerly waited for months for SHOWTIME. But you know how Forrest Gump’s mama said life is like a box of chocolates? I sure didn’t count on having a broken toe the day the Imminence show finally rolled around, but that’s a story for another time. I stuffed that screaming little digit into my black boots and hobbled my ass to the club. Forget the toe.

First up to play was Of Virtue, a metalcore band from Michigan. I had played their songs on YouTube before, but it takes my special (defective?) brain like a hundred times to fully memorize a song, so I dared not sing along. But I swooned over the bright colors on stage! It looked truly stunning up there, with all the reds and greens and blues. After a hard day of battling physical and mental obstacles, I appreciated their energy, soaked it in, and began to unwind. Of Virtrue is a feel-good band, if you ask me, even with their emotionally intense lyrics. I was excited to hear my favorite song, Sober, introduced by singer and guitarist, Damon, who announced it was the anniversary of his sobriety date. I have faced my own struggles with alcohol and found that very touching.

The whole band put on a great show. Lead singer, Tyler, nailed the vocals and put his heart into engaging with the audience. As it turns out, I can’t keep up with Tyler’s energy when he disappears into the crowd and ends up standing right behind me as I attempt to figure out where he’s gone. Haha. Sorry, Tyler. It had been a looooong day, but you guys really fixed all that for me! Thank you for doing what you do.

Next to play was Catch Your Breath, a hardcore band from Texas. The first time I heard their single, Dial Tone, I got goosebumps. It was such a welcome blending of musical styles. I ran it back a dozen times because those are the moments my eardrums live for, hearing something so fresh and new, but so GOOD at the same time.

I remember listening to their album, Shame On Me, while wrapping gifts last holiday season, because I had sworn if I heard one more terrible song I was going to…!! Well, anyway, I knew I liked Catch Your Breath from those fond holiday memories, but since hearing and seeing them play live last week… I love them. Lots. I’ve attended oodles of shows in my day, and I was honestly blown away by how good these guys sound live.

Then, it was Imminence time! Due to my stupid injured foot, I’d been keeping my distance from other people, but as the start time for Imminence drew nearer, a cold panic filled every inch of me as I suddenly felt a million miles away from the stage. I determinedly (but hopefully somewhat politely) began to follow small gaps and pathways in the crowd until I was as close to the stage as I could manage. Fuck my stupid sore foot. Let it get stomped.

To a chorus of whoops and cheers, Imminence took to the stage and started playing Paralyzed, and I lost my mind, dear reader. I lost myself to the music entirely. Imminence obliterates all my filters. I forgot to feel stupid when I danced. I forgot there were hundreds of people around me. I sang along with Eddie at the top of my lungs, and it felt amazing.

Lead guitarist Harald Barrett’s stage presence is like none I’ve ever seen. In between heavy parts, he crouches like a gargoyle and slowly begins to move, his long black hair hanging in his face, like Samara emerging from the well in The Ring. Only… much more graceful, beautiful even, and instead of fright, it inspires wonder.

Drummer, Peter Hanström, somehow connects my body to invisible puppet strings when he plays. Those beats simply take control. Apologies to my audience neighbors for thrusting like a possessed woman in the throes of an exorcism. I swear I don’t do that on an ordinary day. 

I ended up pretty satisfied with my spot in the audience. I had a great view of rhythm guitarist, Alex, who threw out some guitar picks at the end of the show. But I didn’t catch one. I’m never the one to catch a flying memento.

Aside from the presence of their bassist, Christian, who was at home with his newborn baby, the St. Louis, MO show only lacked one thing: a dull moment. From beginning to end, these guys sprinkle ear and eye candy into their performance, like Eddie Berg screaming into his violin and Harald playing his guitar with a violin bow. It goes to show how much they value showmanship and giving us our money’s worth, which in my opinion, was an absolute bargain. I’d pay four times as much to see it again.

Here’s a clip from The Black tour. Credit for this video goes to Tauri Reacts. Find her on Instagram at @itsametauri. She let me use the above video because she’s happy to spread the word about Imminence! Why? Because the fanbase is amazingly supportive.

In the Facebook group, I feel the love. The Imminence group is honest-to-goodness the ONE AND ONLY Facebook group I’ve EVER found that hasn’t gone toxic and turned into a Hive Mind Echo Chamber Wasteland. I love Imminence fans! And we have an inside joke…

We are home to the Come What May Criers Club because, apparently, just because you begin a song in the most brutal way possible, doesn’t mean you won’t bring droves of fans to weep unexpected tears when that melancholy melody hits, and for that, I say, from the USA (with love), we adore you, Imminence!

Have a great rest of your tour! Then, go home and have fika and Swedish meatballs (except Christian, who is vegan). Rest up, and then… COME BACK TO US, PLEASE! I’LL BE IN FRONT NEXT TIME!

Sincerely,

Lindsey Goddard of WeirdWideWeb.org

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