Soulcrusher
Imperial Triumphant
+ Grey Aura
American band Imperial Triumphant find inspiration in the roaring twenties of New York a century ago. This was the era of decadence, luxury and avant-garde – it’s not that much different from the current decade; we still live in relatively large wealth, except that the future isn’t that promising. You could say we’re living in the ‘devouring twenties’ nowadays, eaten alive by cities and the industry. Destroyed by expectations, resulting in fear, insecurities and polarization. All of this is also discernible in the music of this New York trio.
With “Alphaville” on Century Media Records, this band released one of the most remarkable underground albums of 2020. It’s a record that was very well received and featured in plenty of ‘best of 2020’ shortlists. This is partly because of the eccentric dystopian sound and the terrific avant-garde artwork that is reminiscent of the movie “Metropolis”. Co-producers Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle) and Colin Marston (Behold… The Arctopus ad Krallice) cut loose on the suffocating and futuristic mix of black/death metal and dark jazz. The songs are complex, are deeply and brilliantly layered and are both abrasive and intriguing. On the song ‘City Swine’ there’s a guest role for Thomas Haake of Meshuggah. Imperial Triumphant is experimental metal at its best.
