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.
Dissolve
Imperative Reaction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish you could see
I wish I could show you
What it was to be
Alive before we knew
The word that you now
As we endure what is to come
Please know I'm sorry
Time won't wait as we dissolve
Giving in to a fate that won't absolve
The lies we told ourselves
To minimize the pain
Our denial of the truth
Leaves us with the blame
I wanted so much more
I wanted everything
Now what can we show for
All we used to be
We are too far from the shore
Drowning in debris
As we endure what is to come
Please know I'm sorry
For all that we have done
The lyrics of "Dissolve" by Imperative Reaction lead the listener to explore themes of regret, nostalgia, and the consequences of our actions. Through the singer's reflection and apology, he wishes that he could show his audience what life was like before they knew what they know now. He apologizes for all that they have done that has led them to this point of dissolution. The lyrics express a sense of melancholy at the realization that they did not do more when they had the chance to achieve greatness.
The song touches on the inevitability of time and how it waits for no one. The fate that waits for them is one that won't absolve the lies they have told themselves to minimize the pain of their actions, which leads to denial and causes them to shoulder the blame. The singer expresses his disappointment with what they have become, knowing that they could have done so much more than what they have accomplished.
Overall, "Dissolve" offers a deep and contemplative look into the human experience. Through its lyrics, it reminds us that time is fleeting and that we must strive to make a positive impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish you could know
I desire that you truly understand
I wish you could see
I desire that you are capable of perceiving what I have experienced
I wish I could show you
I desire to demonstrate to you what it was like.
What it was to be
What it was like to exist
Alive before we knew
Living during a time prior to now when we were ignorant of something
The word that you now
The concept you currently understand
As we endure what is to come
As we face an uncertain future
Please know I'm sorry
I apologize for my part in this
For all that we have done
For all of our actions that have led to this moment
Time won't wait as we dissolve
Our time is running out before we cease to exist
Giving in to a fate that won't absolve
Accepting an inescapable end without the possibility of forgiveness or redemption
The lies we told ourselves
The falsehoods we believed about our own lives
To minimize the pain
In an attempt to reduce the suffering we feel
Our denial of the truth
Our rejection of reality
Leaves us with the blame
This results in us being held responsible for our mistakes
I wanted so much more
I desired a greater purpose
I wanted everything
I coveted all possibilities
Now what can we show for
What has been accomplished by our efforts
All we used to be
Everything that we once were or had
We are too far from the shore
We are too distant from where victory or safety may be found
Drowning in debris
Being inundated with the detritus of our former lives
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Douglas Montalvo
nice sound,great vocals this is definitely something i will look for.....
WiredAl
A wonderfully dark and serious album. Haunting and profound... Truly a feat of music. These guys are awesome
You Spy On Me
Actually this song has been played live. Last year in November during their As We Fall tour. They played it in an Encore at a club in O.C. called Xile.
Kyle Douglas
this quite possibly has one of the greatest intros of all time
Androtype
Still remains my favorite song by IR.
Dorin Vaden
Love this band.clearly they are deep thinkikers
bryan perryman
These guys are actually really intense to see live I really enjoyed the show and cant wait for them to come to this side of the country (California) so I can take my friends out here to see them.
Astariol
You can call EBM techno. EBM is definitely it's own particular form of music, but calling it "techno" isn't completely wrong. It's just kind of like calling all action figures "He-Mans".
lansiar
can't wait to see them tomorrow
Buriedwithdrawingpad
The beat is so intense you could try to dance to it but just end up frailing around and still feel awesome because what others think of you when you dance to these guys is always the last thing on your mind.