Unorthodox instruments in heavy music aren’t as uncommon as you’d think. Bands like Rivers Of Nihil temper their progressive-leaning death metal with saxophones (seriously), Apocalyptica are noted for their use of the cello, and Panopticon’s heartland black metal is balanced by a bluegrass influence that’s straight out of Kentucky. Interestingly, they all seem to work pretty well, and at the very least it does help to make some of these bands a bit more diverse, musically.
For Swedish alternative metalcore band Imminence, though, the addition of a violin certainly helps add a grandiose flair to what they’re trying to accomplish. While their brand of metalcore certainly has won the band plenty of fans on their first three full-length records (2019’s Turn The Light On really garnered the band some accolades), it’s the strategic usage of piano and violins that helps create the aural violence (and beauty) they’re fast becoming known for. In fact, their usage of violin, in particular, is more than just something to add on – it creates much more depth.
It’s the band’s music videos, however, that exhibit a much higher artform. In fact, the band’s video for “Heaven In Hiding” is a cinematic masterpiece in bite size form. With strong vocals courtesy of Eddie Berg (a dual-threat – he also plays the violin), and a crushing rhythm section that known both when to dial it back and when to kick up the energy, Imminence offers something for virtually any fan of heavy music.
To say Imminence still has a lot of room to grow is apparent, too. While musically they’re already quite gifted, the band’s recent singles have seen them branch out into exciting, melodic new directions without sacrificing any of their songwriting abilities. In fact, the band performed an acoustic session (view that below) that will probably take your breath away.
Imminence is growing in stature, too, as more people catch wind of their fairly unique take on what’s a very loaded genre right now. On their most recent album Heaven In Hiding, it’s hard not to be impressed by the band’s talent. Rest assured that if you want heavy music, Imminence has you covered.
But it’s not just streaming services that Imminence are excelling at. It’s a rare combination of critical praise, strong label and press support, and an “infectious” (hah!) sound that’s helping the band blow up. And for Imminence, the fun is just beginning. If you’re looking for heavier music that is both cinematic and fairly unique, well, here you go.
