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.

Redemption
Imperative Reaction Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My eyes grow tired
Of trying to focus
On lines that always change with time
Blurred into nothing
Words that have no meaning
Another careless failure
Comes to pass

This pressure won't let me go
It's buried inside
No home to run to
Nowhere to hide
Redemption means everything
But it's out of my reach
No way to hold on
And no way to leave.

My eyes grow tired
Of trying to focus
On words that always fall apart
Burned down to nothing
Broken dreams that won't be
Another careless failure
Comes to pass

My mind grows tired
Of trying to focus
On dreams that always change with time
Turned into nothing
Thoughts that have no feeling

Another careless failure
Comes to pass.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Imperative Reaction's song "Redemption" paint a picture of exhaustion, frustration, and disappointment. The opening lines about tired eyes trying to focus on lines that always change with time suggests a sense of helpless struggle. The words that have no meaning and broken dreams that won't be indicate a feeling of hopelessness and despair. The repetition of "another careless failure comes to pass" emphasizes a sense of defeat.

The pressure that won't let go and the sense of having nowhere to run or hide further reiterate the theme of being trapped and helpless. The mention of redemption being out of reach adds a layer of longing and desperation. The second verse of the song follows a similar structure and highlights the theme of disappointment and failure.

Overall, "Redemption" is a song about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, while feeling trapped and defeated by circumstances beyond one's control. The use of repetitive lines and imagery of tired eyes and broken dreams further emphasize the theme of exhaustion and hopelessness.

Line by Line Meaning

My eyes grow tired
I am losing energy and motivation

Of trying to focus
Attempting to concentrate on something important

On lines that always change with time
On things that are never stable

Blurred into nothing
Fading away into obscurity

Words that have no meaning
Empty and worthless language

Another careless failure
Another mistake made thoughtlessly

Comes to pass
Happens or occurs

This pressure won't let me go
I am constantly feeling stressed and overwhelmed

It's buried inside
The source of my discomfort is internalized

No home to run to
No place to seek comfort or escape

Nowhere to hide
No way to avoid or ignore the issue