Imminence | The Forum
The Forum was absolutely packed for Imminence, a completely sold-out show. You can always tell when a big international band is in town because the energy feels completely different. From the moment the doors opened, the place was buzzing with excitement, a massive crowd ready for a huge night of heavy music.
Photo Credit: Drew Hill
Sydney’s Inertia kicked things off as the only support act, and all the pressure was on them to get the crowd fired up. They came out swinging, full of energy, and had people moving straight away, opening up the first pits of the night. It was a killer performance that set the tone perfectly for what was to come.
When Inertia cleared the stage, the atmosphere shifted. You could feel the crowd holding its breath in anticipation. As soon as the house lights went out, the room exploded with cheers for the Swedish headliners. Imminence appeared on a multi-level stage built for spectacle, and with six of them up there, they instantly commanded every inch of the space.
What sets Imminence apart is that they’re not just a Metalcore band with a violin thrown in. The violin is the heart of their sound, the storm at the centre of the chaos. It gives their heavy music this epic, cinematic edge that makes every song hit harder. This was also the first time fans got to see their new drummer, Mikael Norén, and he was absolutely relentless from start to finish. One of the wildest moments came when guitarist Harald Barrett grabbed a bow and started playing his guitar with it, creating an eerie, orchestral drone that no pedal could ever replicate.
Photo Credit: Drew Hill
The band’s dynamic was breathtaking. They’d unleash complete chaos one moment, then drop into a sudden silence, leaving just a haunting violin melody hanging in the air.
The highlight of the night came when Tim Charles from Melbourne’s Ne Obliviscaris joined them on stage during Come What May. The crowd went absolutely mental. It wasn’t just a cool crossover, it was two master violinists performing together under matching spotlights, a genuinely special moment that you could only experience at this show.
The added vocals from their backing singer gave songs like Temptation and God Fearing Man even more power, making the choruses sound massive. For the final song, they launched into The Black, closing the night with the kind of intensity that left the entire crowd in awe. It was the perfect ending to a show that proved Imminence are truly in a league of their own.
Photo Credit: Drew Hill