Ted Phelps founded Imperative Reaction with David Andrecht in 1996. After g… Read Full Bio ↴Ted Phelps founded Imperative Reaction with David Andrecht in 1996. After gaining momentum in the Los Angeles Industrial scene, in 1999, the band released their first album entitled, Eulogy For The Sick Child. The debut was met with critical praise and a growing fan base. Songs like “Scorpio” and “The Longing” quickly found their way onto DJ playlists world-wide.

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.

Drown
Imperative Reaction Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Your words disguise what you're feeling now
But I've seen that look in your eyes before
Though you don't want to admit it to me
I feel the disappointment I have caused you

If I drown
Please know it's not your fault
There was no way you could save me from myself

If I drown
Please know it wasn't you
I was the one who walked away from your help

I know it's been years of empty promises
I wanted to follow through I wanted to be more

Though you don't want to admit it to me
You can't look at me in the same light anymore

Overall Meaning

The song "Drown" by Imperative Reaction appears to be a reflection on one's inner turmoil and the effects of one's actions on others. The first lines of the song depict the singer as being able to perceive the feelings of someone close to them, despite the disguise of their words. It is also implied that the two individuals have had previous interactions wherein the look in their eyes is familiar. However, the singer notes disappointment they have caused in the other individual, which suggests that in the past, their actions have not been up to expectation.

In the chorus, the singer seems to be acknowledging a certain sense of personal responsibility for their situation. They say that if they were to drown, it wouldn't be the other person's fault for not being able to save them from themselves. This line could be interpreted to mean that the singer is struggling with some sort of inner demons, and even if someone else helps or tries to save them, it's ultimately up to the individual to overcome their personal struggles. The following lines state that the singer is the one who walked away from help, suggesting that there was someone willing to offer assistance, but that the singer refused it and refused the help of the person he or she had disappointed in the past.

The last section of the song delves into the root of the problem. It appears that the singer has been making empty promises for years, wanting to improve themselves but never following through. The result is that the other person now sees them in a different light, and the trust between them has been lost. All in all, "Drown" is a song that speaks to the struggle with inner demons and the consequences of one's actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Your words disguise what you're feeling now
You're not being honest with me about how you feel

But I've seen that look in your eyes before
I recognize the pain you're hiding

Though you don't want to admit it to me
You're not ready to face the truth yet

I feel the disappointment I have caused you
I sense the sadness that I've brought upon you

If I drown
If I give up and lose myself

Please know it's not your fault
You couldn't have done anything to save me

There was no way you could save me from myself
Nobody could have stopped me from my self-destruction

If I drown
If I reach my breaking point

Please know it wasn't you
You didn't push me to this point

I was the one who walked away from your help
I chose to ignore the support you offered me

I know it's been years of empty promises
I'm aware that I've let you down many times before