Axis Mundi - A Dark Cinematic Journey | Album Review
Axis Mundi is the 6th studio album from Swedish alternative metalcore band, Imminence. This is more than just an album; it’s a whole journey. The album arrives accompanied by a short film that had select releases across the world. The story travels across 11 tracks (12 if you purchased a physical copy of the album according to the band) in a dark and emotional way. The listeners were graced with 4 singles leading up to the release that showed off the sound style the album encompasses.
Axis Mundi does a good job of having a steady pacing overall. The first half of the album comes out powerful while the second half flows into a slower and lighter vibe. It is definitely something different from Imminence but a journey worth taking.
“Twisting In The Wind” brings the listener into an emotional space and sets the tone for what is to come. It balances the more melodic moments of the track with the tense energy of the chorus. The violin elements are beautiful and exactly what you would expect from the band. Overall the song is a great theatrical introduction to what is to come from the album.
“The Sword That Never Bends” was the first single and probably one of my favorite songs from the album. The violin gives a dramatic and mourningful quality while balancing with heavier sections that really feel like a release of pent up emotion.
“Devil May Try” comes out swinging with a more aggressive punch but still holds that emotional energy that Imminence is known for. It’s dramatic, powerful and feels like a battle with our struggles.
“Crestfallen” brings an emotionally heavy track to the story. It feels vulnerable yet beautiful. The use of the violin is one of my favorites from the album and Eddie’s vocals really make the listener feel something deep.
“False Light” is a little bit of a switch up and brings us into a more dark and cinematic experience. It’s heavy in its breakdowns and harsh vocals. Rather than a more melancholy vibe, the violin adds tension to the song.
“If Not Now, When” is the turning point of the album in terms of the energy level. It brings back more melody and less intensity. To me, it almost reminds me of Deftones rather than Imminence but fits well in the album. I do love the last minute or so of the song for the violin solo. It gives a beautiful outro that allows a good blend into the next track.
“Didn’t Think About You (Lately)” slows us way down. The song has minimal elements to it and finishes with more of an electronic vibe than I would have expected from the band. I don’t hate the electronic addition, but rather wasn’t expecting it. Overall, it feels like a more personal song and heavily emotional that adds depth to the album.
“Leviathan” continues with the stripped back energy through the first half and then is rejoined with some familiar elements that make it feel more like an Imminence song. While it is not aggressive, it does bring in heaviness emotionally. It bounces back and forth between more mellow moments and moments of intensity.
“Shed Your Skin” brings me back to elements that remind me of Deftones but blends with the elements I know of Imminence. The song feels like a transformation in the story, a contrast between the beauty and heaviness.
“Power Divine” does the storytelling not just through the lyrics but also the instrumentals. The band plays with a different style that works well for them. The heaviness feels like it comes from the way they approach their instrumentals rather than what the band is used to doing. Eddie had mentioned they had explored in a way they haven’t before and personally, I rather enjoyed it.
“Exodus” is a great conclusion to the album. It does a good job of really representing the story as a whole. It continues the lower and unique energy that Power Divine presented us and provides a good balance of emotional space. The last bit of the song is cinematic and beautiful. A very well done outro.
final thoughts
If you were expecting something like The Black album, you aren’t going to get that here. The band brings a new direction with Axis Mundi that older fans may need time to adjust to and come to with an open mind. I personally loved the album as a whole and the story it told. Eddie’s vocals never disappoint and neither do the violin elements we all know and love. While I haven’t had the honor to see the short film that connects these songs, I look forward to the opportunity if it comes around to really get the visual storytelling that ties the entire thing together. Axis Mundi is an art piece in itself and I will definitely be listening to it on repeat.