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.
Something I Left Behind
Imperative Reaction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm far too empty
To reciprocate your dream
And still you believe
That I was ever capable of
Overcoming these obstacles but
My promise was tarnished long ago
There's nothing now
The years still feel the same
But nothing seems to work now
I tried so hard to feel
I'd make it through but somehow
I find myself in the same position
Fighting against my own ambition
I'll never find
The something I left behind
Don't look inside
I'm far too broken
To accommodate your need
And still you believe
What was never attainable and
What was never possible for
My promise was tarnished long ago
There's nothing now.
The lyrics to "Something I Left Behind" by Imperative Reaction deal with feelings of inadequacy and disappointment in oneself. The singer is telling someone not to look inside because they are too empty and broken to reciprocate any dreams or needs. Despite the other person's belief in the singer's capability to overcome obstacles, the singer's promise was tarnished long ago, and there is nothing left. The years feel the same, but nothing seems to work, and the singer finds themselves fighting against their own ambition. They realize that they will never be able to find the "something" they left behind, and the song ends on a note of resignation and defeat.
The lyrics are a powerful commentary on the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the feelings of failure that can arise when one perceives themselves as falling short of their own expectations. The repetition of the line "there's nothing now" underscores the singer's despair and sense of hopelessness. The song's structure and instrumentation also contribute to its emotional weight, with a driving beat and haunting synth lines that create a sense of urgency and anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look inside
Please don't try to understand me or delve into my innermost thoughts and feelings.
I'm far too empty
I feel devoid of emotion and purpose, and lack the ability to give back what I receive.
To reciprocate your dream
I cannot fulfill or return the hopes and aspirations that you have for me or for us.
And still you believe
Despite my shortcomings and lack of progress, you continue to have faith in me and my potential.
That I was ever capable of
You think that I once had the ability to achieve or overcome the difficulties in my life.
Overcoming these obstacles but
You believed that I could surmount the challenges I faced, but that didn't happen.
My promise was tarnished long ago
Whatever assurances or vows I made to you or to myself in the past, they have been undermined and defiled over time.
There's nothing now
I have nothing left to offer or contribute towards my own betterment or to that of our relationship.
The years still feel the same
Despite the passage of time, I still feel stuck and unable to move forward.
But nothing seems to work now
No matter what I try or do, nothing seems to bring about the change or progress I need.
I tried so hard to feel
I made genuine efforts to experience and express my emotions, but it seems futile and ineffective.
I'd make it through but somehow
I thought I could overcome my struggles and come out stronger, but something keeps holding me back or pulling me down.
I find myself in the same position
I keep facing the same problems and setbacks, as if stuck in a never-ending cycle of disappointment and frustration.
Fighting against my own ambition
I struggle to pursue my goals and dreams due to my own doubts, fears, and limitations.
I'll never find
I have given up hope that I will ever discover or achieve what I truly desire or yearn for.
The something I left behind
Whatever it was that I lost or abandoned in my past, I cannot reclaim or rediscover it in my present or future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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