2002 saw the departure of Andrecht and the release of the sophomore album Ruined. The aggressive album led Phelps to recruit Sam P. and Jason DM of Los Angeles based Pulse Legion to complete the live line-up. Shortly thereafter, the growing band completed its first North American tour.
In 2004 Imperative Reaction unleashed Redemption. This album combined the rock feel of Ruined with a more club friendly sound which helped propel the first single “Giving In To The Change” to become a dance floor staple. Jason DM was replaced on keys by Clint Carney (System Syn, God Module) and the band set out on its second North American tour. The Redemption tour led to an invitation to join VNV Nation as direct support for their 2005 Formation Tour. Over the course of 36 shows Imperative Reaction transformed itself into a celebrated live act in front of over 25,000 fans.
As We Fall , released in 2006, was met with universal acclaim. Imperative Reaction joined EBM legends Covenant on their successful Skyshaper US tour. Shortly thereafter, IR was asked to join VNV Nation on their European Judgment Tour. Upon returning to the US, the band was picked to open for Combichrist on their 2007 North American tour. Further solidifying themselves as one of the premier electronic live acts, IR returned home to Los Angeles just in time to head out with psychobilly giants, Tiger Army on their US Razor’s Kiss Tour. The desire to expand and strengthen the live show led Phelps to hire Trevor Friedrich (Combichrist, Eighteen Visions, Suffer Well) to drum for the band.
In 2008, Imperative Reaction released Minus All and embarked on its most ambitious headlining tour to date. Shortly after the completion of the tour the band added guitarist/keyboardist Adam Vex (Seraphim Shock) and the live chemistry was solidified once and for all.
In 2009, the band took time off from writing to hit the road with fellow Metropolis Records artist, Psyclon Nine. The co-headlining tour, named "The Ruina Tour", saw the bands playing to capacity crowds across the US.
2010 was spent holed up in the studio creating the band’s most ambitious album to date. Imperative Reaction is an electronic rock masterpiece that showcases a band in its prime; ready to blow any preconceived notions out of the water. There is no escape.
Arrogance
Imperative Reaction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thanks to you
You fucking liar
It's drowning in the maze
That used to be desire
So let the mediocrity
Tear it all apart again
And let your arrogance prevail
Where everything depends on you
Weakened by the habit
Of never coming through
So many questions
You cannot answer
But this will never change
Shut down and pushed below
This numbing silence cannot last
I feel tomorrow fall
Back into the failures of the past
This rusted vault of lies
This distorted compromise
This reminder of what it was
Everything you gave away
Damaged and forgotten
Thanks to you
You fucking failure
It's dying in the haze
That used to be a fire
So let the actuality
Lose it all and fall again
And let your obstinance prevail
Fractured conclusions
Where everything relies on you
Weakened by the habit
Of never coming through
So many questions
You cannot answer
But this will never change.
The lyrics to Imperative Reaction's song "Arrogance" paint a picture of anger, frustration, and disappointment. The song starts with the lines "Damaged and forgotten, thanks to you, you fucking liar." The singer is clearly addressing someone who has caused him significant harm or let him down in a major way. The lyrics go on to describe the damage that has been done: "It's drowning in the maze that used to be desire." The singer's ambition and drive have been stifled, leaving him feeling lost and directionless.
The chorus of the song is where the theme of arrogance comes into play. The lyrics state, "So let the mediocrity tear it all apart again, and let your arrogance prevail." This seems to be an indictment of someone who has let success go to their head, causing them to act recklessly and do damage. The lyrics suggest that this person's arrogance is the reason things have gone so badly, and that they are not willing to change their ways.
The second verse of the song continues to describe the damage caused by this person's actions. The lines "Shut down and pushed below, this numbing silence cannot last, I feel tomorrow fall, back into the failures of the past" suggest that the singer is feeling trapped and helpless, unable to escape the negative consequences of this person's actions. The verse ends with a reminder that everything this person has done has come at a cost: "Everything you gave away."
Overall, "Arrogance" is a song about the damage that can be done by someone who lets their ego get the best of them. The lyrics are angry and direct, but also contain a sense of resignation and sadness. The singer is acknowledging that he cannot change the situation, but is still processing his feelings of anger and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
Damaged and forgotten
I have been hurt and neglected
Thanks to you
As a direct result of your actions
You fucking liar
You have deceived me and cannot be trusted
It's drowning in the maze
My once strong desire is now lost and confused
That used to be desire
I once had a clear and strong motivation
So let the mediocrity
Allow for average or inferior quality
Tear it all apart again
Completely destroy what was left
And let your arrogance prevail
Your overbearing pride will win out
Fractured delusions
My beliefs have been shattered into pieces
Where everything depends on you
It seems all is deferred to you
Weakened by the habit
I have become vulnerable and ineffectual due to repeated mistakes
Of never coming through
Repeatedly failing to follow through on promises or commitments
So many questions
There are numerous unanswered inquiries
You cannot answer
You lack the ability or willingness to give satisfactory responses
But this will never change
This unsatisfactory situation is unlikely to improve
Shut down and pushed below
I have been silenced and suppressed
This numbing silence cannot last
I cannot continue to endure this oppressive silence
I feel tomorrow fall
I sense impending failure in the future
Back into the failures of the past
Returning to the same mistakes made before
This rusted vault of lies
This repository of false information is worn out and corroded
This distorted compromise
This agreement has been perverted or twisted
This reminder of what it was
This serves as a prompt of what it used to be
Everything you gave away
All that you freely gave has resulted in this negative outcome
You fucking failure
You have let me down and been unsuccessful
It's dying in the haze
My once bright flame is now dimming and obscured
That used to be a fire
I once was filled with passion and fervor
So let the actuality
Allow what is currently happening
Lose it all and fall again
Completely lose everything and fail once more
And let your obstinance prevail
Your stubbornness and refusal to change will come out on top
Fractured conclusions
My findings and resolutions are now broken and contentious
Where everything relies on you
It appears everything depends solely on you
Weakened by the habit
I am debilitated by this constant repetition
Of never coming through
Repeatedly failing to execute and accomplish my commitments
So many questions
Numerous unresolved queries exist
You cannot answer
You are unable or unwilling to provide satisfactory responses
But this will never change.
This situation will remain the same and unsatisfactory.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind