The earthy music of IMAGINAL CELLS is a vibrant fusion of organic tones and textures, characterized by pulsating tribal polyrhythms. This classic sonic palette, enriched with lush vocal harmonies and the sounds of nature, creates a fresh and distinctive auditory experience. While their progressive sound is undeniably current and unique, it also pays homage to the roots of Classic Rock and Heavy Metal. Their meticulously crafted songs are dynamic and densely interwoven, featuring hard-hitting lyrics that are both relevant and thought-provoking, addressing pressing sociopolitical and environmental challenges.
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IMAGINAL CELLS represents the evolutionary progression of the band HEREAFTER, initially formed in 2018 as a distance recording project by Tin Idol Productions in Honolulu, HI. Their acclaimed debut album, BURIAL GROUNDS, was a finalist for the Metal Album of the Year at the 2019 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, awarded by the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). The track "Rolling In The Grave" received a nomination for Best Metal Performance that same year and was chosen by HARA for Grammy consideration.
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Following a lineup change that revamped the rhythm section and introduced keyboard elements, IMAGINAL CELLS has taken a bold step into a more progressive and psychedelic art rock direction while maintaining their metal roots.
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Their album Purified presents an intricate concept inspired by the apocalyptic prophecies of Native American tribal elders, who have warned of devastating immune responses from a human species out of balance with the living Earth. The songs are thematically connected through the lens of Wetiko, a psychospiritual disease from Algonquian folklore that symbolizes gluttony, selfishness, and greed.
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The album tackles environmental calamities, such as oil spills and deforestation, alongside historical events and colonialism, all viewed through the perspectives of Native American doomsday prophecies, Indigenous rights issues, and the Youth Climate Movement. The epic finale, “Imaginal Cells,” speaks to the rising elements within global cultures striving to halt humanity's march toward extinction and restore a paradise lost.
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With its immersive journey through lush soundscapes and compelling musical passages, IMAGINAL CELLS' Purified stands out as a profoundly relevant record for these critical times. Mixed by multiple award-winning producer Jimmy Caterine and expertly mastered by industry legend Moar Appelbaum, Purified is poised for release on both vinyl and digital platforms, inviting listeners to engage with its rich themes and dynamic sound.
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"Everything is coming to a time where prophecy and man's inability to live on Earth in a spiritual way will come to a crossroad of great problems. In the Hopi Prophecy, they say the storms and floods will become greater. To me, it's not a negative thing to know there will be great changes. It's not negative, it's evolution. When you look at it as evolution, it's time. Nothing stays the same."
- Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman
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