New Year, New I: I vs The Reclamation of I (Who else is reclaiming their I right now?) by Oz Krawiec

Note from the Editor:

Hey, weirdos! Let me break down the band Imminence for you real quick before I let my new friend Oz Krawiec break down their 10-year anniversary album…

Imminence is an alt rock / metal band from Sweden that brings new elements to the metalcore scene, such as the inclusion of classical string instruments in their songs, a genre now referred to as “violincore” by the die-hard fans. Formed in 2009, their first EP dropped in 2012 and first album in 2014, so you can tell this offbeat group of bandmates from Malmö, Sweden has been on quite the musical journey over the years.

On December 20th, 2024, Imminence re-released their first album, I, calling it The Reclamation of I.

So, I asked one of their biggest fans, Oz, to compare these albums side by side for the Weird Wide Web blog. Check it out…

New Year, New I: I vs The Reclamation of I

(Who else is reclaiming their I right now?)

On December 20th, 2024, Imminence rereleased their first studio album, I, with remastered instrumentals and rerecorded vocals. The initial release of I was on September 9th, 2014. This 10 year anniversary version has been retitled The Reclamation Of I (and is available for pre-order on CD and Vinyl on the band’s website).

I first listened to The Reclamation Of I the day it was released on Spotify and almost started crying at work only a few seconds into “Proclaim”. I knew it was going to be beautiful, and I was completely blown away with each track.

After the rerelease, I was dying to hear the two albums side by side, and making a playlist of each track going back and fourth between I and The Reclamation Of I just wasn’t enough. I needed to hear them together. At the same time. So I went into GarageBand and did just that, carefully aligning the tracks to be played simultaneously. This little project can be found on YouTube HERE. I recommend listening with headphones for the full effect, as I will be in the left ear and The Reclamation Of I will be in the right.

Track 1 – Proclaim

If I hadn’t known prior to that the vocals were rerecorded, I wouldn’t have believed it on the first listen. Eddie’s vocals are so consistent, and the only thing I found to be “missing” was a few audible breaths. And me being someone who loves when artists breathe (???), I was missing those breaths. I also had a feeling that the main violin parts were more enhanced, and after seeing Eddie’s one-take performance [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciuz5xNHhUY&pp=ygUSaW1taW5lbmNlIHByb2NsYWlt ], I feel my suspicions were confirmed.

Track 2 – 86

Once again, the track vocally has nearly the same energy as the original. The screams have a fuller feel to them, and lack that angsty-youthful quality. At the bridge is where it deviates slightly, lyrics that were originally “yelled” are now screamed. But the pitch on the “leeeeave” right after the bridge is matched so well, I can hear it harmonized.

Track 3 – Every Breath

The original starts with an inhale which isn’t present on the rerecorded, but it only goes harder from there. Until we get to the chorus. As opposed to the tracks so far, the rerecorded chorus is slightly more melodically sung, and just a bit softer. This is one of the few tracks that has a part that isn’t 100% aligned vocally, and that’s at the bridge. Eddie has a breathier, softer quality to way he’s singing – which while it does clash a bit with the original, I personally love how the two sound together. The ending goes so much harder and nastier, in the best of ways.

Good Bleghs.

Track 4 – Salt Of The Earth

Still keeping up with the vocal consistency and energy. The rerecorded chorus sounds softer and heavier at the same time. Like the previous tracks, the bridge is where the differences are most prominent. Eddie’s vocals are even more of an airy whisper here, and the build up of “through and through that lasting blight” is done through layered vocals instead of a crescendo.

Track 5 – Broken, Lost

This is one of the few tracks that doesn’t have many blatant differences, but sounds really good together. It has the same energy throughout, but the screams have a fuller sound as opposed to the yelled quality. The clean vocals of “we were the ones who walked alone…” at the bridge is pitch-matched extremely well, too.

If you haven’t watched it already, I highly recommend checking out their acoustic version that was featured on an interview with Roter Bus [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rWZWQTYyuk&pp=ygUTaW1taW5lbmNlIHJvdGVyIGJ1cw%3D%3D ].

Track 6 – Du

“Du” was the only track where the vocals weren’t as consistently matched – which makes it sound a little odd listening to the tracks together. Eddie’s rerecorded vocals are far more airy, similar to Chino Moreno of Deftones, and he elongates the lyrics differently. At first there’s a bit of a fry undertone. The second repetition is more consistent and matched, and then the third repetition goes HARD with blood curdling screams. That last repetition layers so well with itself on the original.

Also that last scream of “själv” makes you wonder how long Eddie held that scream for. Get out your stopwatches for that one! I counted about 18 seconds. It really makes me want to hear Eddie have a go at covering Linkin Park’s “Given Up”, especially for the iconic scream!

For anyone curious about the lyrics, a translation can be found here [ https://lyricstranslate.com/en/du-you.html-23 ].

Track 7 – The Seventh Seal

Back at it again with almost the same energy as the original! The verses hit hard and fast, halting to a stop at the chorus. And those clean vocals on the chorus are so beautiful and smooth. After the second chorus, there is a small breath on the original that’s missing from the rerecording, but that long scream Eddie does on “lie” overshadows the original by a long shot. The whispered “lie” at the very end is so soft and blends so nicely into the outro.

Track 8 – Those Who Seek

This is another track where the violin stood out more to me. It also has nearly the same energy as the original until the bridge. Like many, the spoken-word style at this part definitely caught me off guard. I was really hoping for that—for lack of better words—“Midwest Emo” style of vocals; however, it’s a pleasant sort of different, even though it took me a few listens to get used to. The spoken-style gives a softer, sadder depth… as opposed to the angsty feel of the original. But honestly, I’m kinda obsessed with how the two sound together, even though it doesn’t match up perfectly.

Good Blegh.

Track 9 – Last Legs

Like “Proclaim”, I probably wouldn’t have known this was rerecorded from the first listen (if I hadn’t already known). The vocals are so consistent throughout the entire track, from the whispery cleans to harsh screams.

Again… Good Blegh. (These things matter.)

If you’re new to Imminence, or not very familiar with them, “Last Legs” is where “A Mark On My Soul” originated [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNb21QVCvMI&pp=ygUbaW1taW5lbmNlIGEgbWFyayBvbiBteSBzb3Vs ].

Track 10 – A Sense Of Doubt

Similar to “Du”, Eddie’s vocals are that smooth, melodic whisper here, as opposed to the underlying fry style. Both recordings have that same pained and exhausted feel to them, but it’s different and I’m not sure how to describe it.

Wrap up:

Overall, this was such a solid rerelease, and in my opinion, it’s just a good as the original. Truly. It was done with such precision and care, and definitely shows Eddie’s growth as a vocalist.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Oz Krawiec resides in Michigan, currently putting his sewing skills to work doing custom drapery. He has a so-called “useless” degree in International Studies, but enjoys trying to learn various languages in his free time. Outside of work, Oz has a passion for music attending concerts of non-American artists you’ve probably never heard of. Oz also has a pet snake named Illyria.