Album Review: Kimaera – Imperivm

This album is bittersweet. It’s the final work of the Lebanese band’s singer, JP Haddad, who ed away a couple of weeks ago at the tragically young age of 39. The band mention in their promo material how difficult it is to hear his voice in the final mix, and I completely understand. But the sweet side… it’s an absolute monster of an album, and his vocals are the cream filling in a wonderfully multi-layered metal cake.

There are vague parallels with in-house favourites Ex Deo in that Kimaera have focused on the Roman Empire, going as far as to release the album today, March 15th, also known as the Ides of March (track 4, by the way). Soundwise the bands do hover around the same bombastic death metal area, but Kimaera are no knock-off by any stretch. They’ve got their own tones, their own surprises and have produced an album to be proud of.

The heavy bits are heavy. Heavy like Zeus stomping on an ant heavy. But there are superb melodies as well, traditional instruments make an appearance, and the bonus track “Ya Beirut” features a guest vocalist – female, operatic-style – who just takes things in a whole new direction. It’s like melodic metal meets Middle-Eastern tradition. Definitely not something I’ve heard before and it works far better than you’d think.

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Of the main seven songs, though, it’s hard to pluck out a favourite. This is a solid piece of work where each track plays its own part. Not quite as “concept” as, say, The Thirteen Years Of Nero, but still focusing on the same broad theme. It’s obvious as you work through that not only are you being entertained (try that for a sideways reference…), but the lyrics, both spoken and growled, are telling a story. Haddad’s throaty voice is spot on in the mix, and you can just picture him in a traditional death metal post, cupping the air with a clawed hand as he belts out the words.

With a thumping bass line through every song to keep the head nodding, there’s a ton of great riffs and keyboard spills just littered all over the place. In honesty I was caught a little by surprise by the early release – most albums these days drop on a Friday, so I thought I had another day or two before it came out – so I’ve not had a chance to listen to it as much as I’d like. But listen to it I will. A lot. Imperivm grasped me from the off and it’s not let go yet.

RIP JP. What a memorial to leave behind.

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Imperivm is out now

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