Progressive metal is an extremely underrated art in my opinion. Since I was 12 I've surrounded myself with metal-adjacent music, but I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the genre. 'Progressive' is used as an umbrella term, as anyone within the scene would know, there are infinite subgenres. I’m still only slightly aware of what they all are.
In my eyes, the progressive subgenre takes the pure metal and metalcore listeners already love and adds a little extra. Once I found my people in the scene, they introduced me to this whole new world of intricate guitar riffs and funky tempos, both sounds I hadn't been exposed to yet. It's important to note that I wasn't initially in love with some of this music, especially instrumental-based bands like Animals As Leaders and Intervals. Eventually, these bands got to me, as I began to start appreciating the intricacies and details of instrumental arrangements.
Knowing what I know now, If I had to go back and recommend myself a band to break into the genre, it would be Imminent Sonic Destruction.
IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION are:
Pat DeLeon - Drums
Pete Hopersberger - Keyboards, Vocals
Bryan Paxton - Bass, Vocals
Tony Piccoli - Guitars, Vocals
Scott David Thompson - Guitars, Vocals
Imminent Sonic Destruction has an interesting backstory, having formed out of Detroit, Michigan during the 2008 Lunar Eclipse. Since then, they've put out several singles alongside 2 full-length albums titled Triumphia and The Sun Will Always Set. Their music is on the chiller side of the genre, but that doesn't take away from the listening experience in the slightest. Their music is catchy, easy to listen to, and keeps you interested.
The band is back and is about to release their next LP Floodgate on April 25th, 2025. But before we get to that, they have released a catchy new single to introduce the era called "Momento Mori". Imminent Sonic Destruction has taken inspiration from some of the better-known progressive bands, including Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah, and Dream Theater, but is putting its own unique spin on the genre, creating something uniquely theirs.
One of their vocalists, Tony Piccoli, has said this about their new single...
“As soon as we finished writing this song, we knew we had something special. This music paired with Pete’s lyrics, I think we have something powerful to offer the prog-metal community and beyond. Friends of mine have said it’s one of my best guitar solos to date…”
As Progressive bands tend to be painfully underrepresented on streaming platforms and festival bills, I believe people will miss out on being exposed to bands like Imminent Sonic Destruction. However, I can guarantee that even if you give them one listen, your love for the genre will creep in and you won't be able to stop.
Unfortunately, at this point and time, the band has no upcoming tour. I'll be keeping my eye out on their socials so you'll be the first to know when things are announced.
They will be playing an album release show for Floodgate, and you can get tickets here.
KEEP UP WITH IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION
FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // BANDCAMP // LINKTREE
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