Metalcatto
It might surprise you, but I’ve been following Imperialist for a while. You know I’m all in when it comes to space-themed Metal. However, I must admit that if I ignore the lyrics, this band’s music often feels like effective and almost traditional Black Metal—something that could make many old Norwegians proud. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it did make me wonder if Prime would break the band’s mold or stick to its strengths. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it?
Then it hit me. The secret to making Imperialist feel truly cosmic is the same trick used by Vorga—it’s all in the production choices. There’s a harsh, dampened texture in the sound that, though subtle, adds a galactic layer of atmosphere. It evokes the claustrophobia of witnessing enormous events that escape our understanding. It took me three albums and a lot of focused listening, but maybe I’m finally starting to appreciate what the band does best. And thankfully, the songwriting remains familiar enough to keep the purists from feeling alienated.
There are still plenty of icy riffs and thunderous drums to keep you grounded in Black Metal’s foundations. Even those of you who don’t consider yourselves nerds (come on, you’re reading a blog about extreme Metal—let’s be honest with ourselves) will find something enjoyable here. Consistency continues to be Imperialist’s greatest strength, and Prime has nothing to envy from the band’s earlier work. If anything, it stands out visually, with what is arguably its best artwork yet. But it’s time to talk about the things that nearly made me crash my spaceship into a dying star.
Cool logo though!
As I said earlier, consistency reigns on Prime, just like in every other Imperialist release. What we get is well-executed, unrelenting, and focused Black Metal. But sometimes, that relentless nature causes everything to blend together into one massive, eternal riff. Maybe that’s intentional—it would fit the album’s themes—but I still find myself struggling to recall standout moments after it ends. It’s all a solid experience, but I’d love for the band to break the mold a little more often. Not necessarily going full avant-garde, just enough to bend the rules of the genre a bit and keep us guessing.
If you enjoyed the band’s previous work, you should prepare yourself for another epic journey through the void. If you were hoping for radical change, you won’t find it here. Prime sticks to its guns and is ready to die on its shield (okay, enough macho metaphors). The album firmly establishes Imperialist as the most old-school of the “cosmic Black Metal” bands—and that can be a strength within such a niche. Even if I personally wished for a little more chaos and experimentation, the album delivers a respectable and well-crafted performance.
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Release date: 5 September, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Imperialistofficial
Country: USA
Score: 3.5/5.0
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