During the last years, IMHA TARIKAT became somewhat of shooting stars in the native (German) Black Metal scene. Excellent live performances and a fantastic new record prove them right.
It’s said that mastermind Kerem Yilmaz alias Ruhsuz Cellât is the only band member, supported live by Melvin (session and live drums) and Marvin (git) ov Hexer, as well as Ricardo ov The Night Eternal on bass. Nonetheless, contrary to other solo projects, IMHA TARIKAT sounds pretty much organic.
Hearts Unchained – At War With A Passionless World is the third record and should have taken higher positions in many year’s end polls. Reckless songwriting, untamed energy, and a partly absurd yelling add a drive to Hearts Unchained I rarely ever heard. All this you could already experience on the predecessors Kara Ihlas and Sternenberster, but not in this perfection and intensity. Both are great records, no doubt, but on Hearts Unchained IMHA TARIKAT found their true spirit. Same goes for the band’s originality. Ad hoc, no other band comes to mind I could refer to.
It starts with the “singing”: the manic infernal yelling has hardly anything to do with known shrieking or growls, and makes me rather think of a horde of barbarians on the warpath. A fellow said the singing reminds him of HipHop. Well, I don’t agree on this one but it shows that IMHA TARIKAT goes into different directions.
Riffwork and drumming are gruff, even punky, with a touch of Crust yet not sounding like nowadays blackened Neocrust. Otherwise, there is a lot of classic Black Metal to find, familiar guitar lines, and atmospheric blast beat parts.
Even if Hearts Unchained rages fiercely and furiously it is still eclectic. Guitar melodies and synths sounds (which are probably not such kind) add twists and turns to the hateful chunk. Despite all the great guitars, it’s the drums that kick you out of the socks.
No doubt, Hearts Unchained has raised the bar high, but once again IMHA TARIKAT haven proven themselves at latest Hell Over Hammaburg festival with a highly energetic and playful show. Absolutely congenial. Keep it up!
My fave tracks are: Radical Rightousness, Streams Of Power – Canavar and Dominator Proselitysm Tactics. But you better listen to the whole record!