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.
Only In My Mind
Imperative Reaction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And though I tried to hide it
It shows in you
I know it's true
And though you still deny it
I see right through
All you won't admit
But what if you're the reason
The lies that I depend on exist
Only in my mind
I know like you
Though we still deny it
It shows in you
You know it's true
And though I tried to fight it
I can't see through
All I won't accept
But what if you're the reason
I can't fall far enough to find
The lies that I depend on exist
Only in my mind
The lyrics to Imperative Reaction's song "Only in My Mind" explore the semi-delusional nature of a relationship where both parties sense that something is not right, but neither can bring themselves to fully acknowledge it. The opening line, "You know it's true / And though I tried to hide it / It shows in you," suggests that the singer is aware of some sort of problem, but is trying to suppress it. Interestingly, the second line suggests that the problem is not entirely internal to the singer, as it "shows in you," implying some sort of mutual dysfunction.
The singer flips between accusing the other person of being in denial ("though you still deny it") and admitting to their own denial ("though we still deny it"), suggesting that both parties are complicit in maintaining the status quo. The repeated question "But what if you're the reason / I can't fall far enough to find / The lies that I depend on exist / Only in my mind" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the singer's grip on reality is tenuous, and that it is only through their refusal to fully acknowledge the truth that they are able to function.
Overall, the song presents a sort of codependent relationship, where both parties are aware of the dysfunction but unable or unwilling to address it. It is a poignant exploration of how sometimes it is easier to stay in a situation that is less than ideal than it is to face the reality that change is necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
You know it's true
It is a fact that what has been said is accurate.
And though I tried to hide it
Even though I made an effort to conceal the truth.
It shows in you
Your behavior, demeanor or countenance reveals it to me.
I know it's true
I am aware that what has been stated is correct.
And though you still deny it
Even though you persist in disagreeing or rejecting the information.
I see right through
I can see past your pretenses, appearances or cover-ups.
All you won't admit
The things you refuse to acknowledge, confess or concede.
But what if you're the reason
Could it be that you are the cause, origin or motive behind my problem?
I can't fall far enough to find
I am unable to sink deep into my emotions or feelings to discover the truth.
The lies that I depend on exist
The falsehoods I rely on to cope, survive or function are real.
Only in my mind
However, they are subjective and exist solely in my thoughts or imagination.
Contributed by Aria K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.