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.
Torture
Imperative Reaction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the harder you try to move
The pull gets stronger
Until there's nothing left to lose
So you reach out and beg to be saved
So you can start all over one more time
But you just put it off
You dim another's light
It's torture trying to breathe
With this film wrapped over me
I see right through it, but I know it's there
It's torture having to watch
As you're pushed away from me
I know what I am is too much to bear
You know you're fading
And the harder you try to scream
Your throat gets tighter
Until there's no way left to speak
So you reach out and beg to be saved
So you can start all over one more time
But you just put it off
You dim another's light
It's torture trying to breathe
With this film wrapped over me
I see right through it, but I know it's there
It's torture having to watch
As you're pushed away from me
I know what I am is too much to bear
You know you're sinking
And the harder you try to move
The pull gets stronger
Until there's nothing left to lose
So you reach out and beg to be saved
So you can start all over one more time
But you just put it off
You dim another's light
It's torture trying to breathe
With this film wrapped over me
I see right through it, but I know it's there
It's torture having to watch
As you're pushed away from me
I know what I am is too much to bear
The lyrics to Imperative Reaction's song "Torture" convey the feeling of being trapped and suffocated by one's own emotions. The verse describes the feeling of sinking deeper into a metaphorical pit, no matter how hard one tries to escape. The chorus describes the sensation of feeling trapped and how it's literally torture to simply breathe and exist, as if there's a "film" wrapped around the singer preventing them from moving on. They can see right through the problem, they know it's there, but they feel lost and hopeless. The verse repeats, describing the inability to communicate and the agony of bearing the weight of their own sadness.
The lyrics express a feeling of frustration and helplessness, as if the singer is at the mercy of their own uncontrollable emotions. Despite their efforts to move on and start over, they feel trapped and unable to break free. The song depicts the internal struggle of someone who feels lost in their own feelings, unable to truly live and constantly weighed down by their own sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
You know you're sinking
You are aware that you are struggling in life.
And the harder you try to move
Despite your efforts to improve your situation,
The pull gets stronger
The resistance you face becomes greater.
Until there's nothing left to lose
Until you are left with no options and feel hopeless.
So you reach out and beg to be saved
You plead for help from others to turn your life around.
So you can start all over one more time
To have a fresh start.
But you just put it off
But you delay taking action.
You dim another's light
Your inaction and negative attitude affects others around you.
It's torture trying to breathe
It's unbearable to struggle and feel suffocated by your problems.
With this film wrapped over me
With a metaphorical veil over oneself that blocks progress.
I see right through it, but I know it's there
You know the problem, but it's not easy to solve.
It's torture having to watch
It's painful to witness your relationships fall apart.
As you're pushed away from me
As you lose the people and connections that matter to you.
I know what I am is too much to bear
You recognize that your personality and behavior is causing discomfort to others.
Your throat gets tighter
It becomes difficult to ask for help.
Until there's no way left to speak
Until you are left without a voice, afraid to ask for assistance.
Contributed by Adam Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.