Imperative Reaction - Ruined

Release Date: Summer 2002
Genre: EBM/Electro
Similar Artist(s): NIN, Nitzerebb, Pig
Members:
Ted Phelps - Vocals, Composition and Arrangement
David Andrecht - Composition and Engineering

So here after after 3 years Ted Phelps and company finally release their much anticapated CD Ruined. Why did it this long you ask? While this is where some of the story is fact and fiction. Imperative Reactions first CD Euology For A Sick Child was first released on Pendragon records to an extremely well received audience. So much so club hits from that CD are still being played across North America and Europe to this day. Pendragon closed for various reasons with Metropolis Records picking up Imperative into their ranks. During work on the new CD the dat tape they were using with all the current music was lost for whatever reason, thus forcing the band to start over on some new tracks. Thats all fact.

Speculation is abundent for the fiction side and out of respect for the band I have no comment.

Over the last year and a half , Ted and his crew have been creating the new sound of Ruined and Imperative Reaction. During the last two years Ted had taken vocal courses in regards to polishing his vocals and expanding into a new area. This is hugely prevelant in the new CD with the lack of a vocoder or distortion.

It's in my opinon that Imperative has taken the electronic sound of Euology and turned it into a classic sound now found in band classics such as NIN, Nitzerebb and Pig. With the new sound comes a new attitude. Confidence. It has influenced the music, creating an ambience and enthusiasm that is rare in the scene today. This is a step forward for the band and all kudos to them.

The songs that stand out the most you ask?

"Fault" and "Diminish Me"

Why you ask?, while these two songs seem to convey the most emotion, be the most well written lyrically and compostionally and have the best chance of carrying on the tradition of the older classics like "Scorpio" & "Syntax". However there is a nice selection on the CD with guest vocals by Ted's long time flame Lizbeth, instrumental pieces such as "Paradox", as well as previously released "Rift" on Inception Records Counterbalance Compilation from 2000.

The best thing I can say about this CD is that it will be suitable for the majority of listeners and each in their own level and personal connection. For the new listeners, welcome to Imperative Reaction. For the rest of you who are the fans, be proud to watch the growth of which is the hard work of this innovative and kick ass Electro EBM Band!

www.imperativereaction.com

Written by: GenocideX