Imperial Age — Cassette

Intro

Imperial Age sounds like the soundtrack to a high-budget fantasy epic where the stakes are nothing less than the fate of the universe. It is dense, maximalist, and unapologetically grand, characterized by a 'wall of sound' approach that blends heavy metal riffs with legitimate orchestral weight. The interplay between multiple lead vocalists - ranging from deep, resonant baritones to crystalline operatic sopranos - creates a theatrical depth that most bands in the genre struggle to replicate.

What truly sets them apart is their commitment to the 'Imperial' aesthetic, which isn't about modern politics but rather a fascination with the occult, ancient civilizations like Atlantis, and Hermetic philosophy. This intellectual layer gives the music a sense of purpose and mystery, making the listening experience feel like an initiation into a secret society. The production is polished to a mirror shine, ensuring that even the most complex choral arrangements remain clear and impactful.

Start with 'The Legacy of Atlantis' to hear them at their most conceptually cohesive. It serves as the perfect gateway into their world, showcasing their ability to balance catchy power metal hooks with the sprawling ambition of a symphonic suite. It is music for those who want their metal to feel like an event, not just a collection of songs.

Imperial Age is a Russian symphonic power metal band, currently based in Northampton, England. The band was originally founded in 2012 in Moscow, Russia by singers/composers Alexander "Aor" Osipov and Jane "Corn" Odintsova, who relocated to Turkey, and later the United Kingdom, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The band consists mostly of British members, and their songs are primarily in English. In January 2023 Jane and Alexander were endorsed by Arts Council England as Exceptional Talents and applied for UK residency while living in Turkey, where they moved to as soon as the war began. A crowdfunding campaign set up to aid their relocation has gathered £21,419 in pledges from fans. Their residency was granted by the Home Office and they moved to London on 17 April 2023. Imperial Age has collaborated on multiple occasions with musicians from Therion and Arkona who are featured on all Imperial Age albums. The band was brought to international attention by symphonic metal pioneer Christofer Johnsson, who, after being impressed with their live performance and their cover of Therion's song To Mega Therion in 2014, offered to distribute their music through his label Adulruna Records. The name of the band has nothing to do with modern states and refers to Atlantis and Hyperborea, from which the musicians derive their inspiration. The lyrics deal with magic and the occult, mainly Hermeticism, Hermetic Qabalah, Runic magic, paganism, bon and the legacy of Ancient civilisations such as Ancient Egypt, Sumer and Mesoamerican civilisations.

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