Review Summary: Picking up where Architects left off.
When Imminence first become more well known around the metalcore space, it was a bit difficult to find what helped them standout. But, with more listens, it become more clear about their standout qualities. Folks often label them as Architects wannabes, and honestly, there's some truth to that. Their fry screams are strikingly similar to Sam Carter's, and their melodies echo the classic Architects sound. While they can't really escape those "copycat" claims, it seems like Imminence has embraced it, consistently leaning into that Architects-inspired sound.
Their album "The Black" is definitely their best work so far, featuring melodies packed with emotion. It reminds you of the emotional metalcore Architects used to create, and it feels like Imminence is picking up right where Architects left off. However, they add their own unique twist with the violin. Although Architects incorporated strings in their "For Those That Wish To Exist" album, Imminence executes it even better in "The Black." It feels like a metalcore album that could easily score a blockbuster film. Tracks like the stunning chorus in "Continuum" and the violin bridge in "Come What May" really capture that cinematic feel. While the violin isn't everywhere, it's used effectively throughout. In "Heaven Shall Burn," it adds a nice epic touch to the chorus.
The album also contains a lot of old school melodic metalcore riffs that has become a rarity in today's modern metalcore. Most metalcore bands these days will focus on djenty chugging grooves. While these are pretty satisfying, it's nice to see a band reinventing that melodic death metal inspired approach to guitar riffs in a contemporary metalcore context. Make no mistake though, tracks contain plenty of chugging grooves too, with "Heaven Shall Burn" featuring a breakdown that feels like the most dramatic scene to a cinematic movie.
Imminence deserves props for crafting songs that rival Architects at their peak; "Death By A Thousand Cuts" has such a catchy chorus that it doesn't even matter if it's a clear homage to Architects—it's just done so well, and that's what counts. Honestly, this year, there hasn't been many metalcore albums on the more dramatic side of things that where really gripping, but "The Black" really stands out.
