INME – THE PRIDE
Released 20th February 2012 (Graphite Records)

Words: Tom Willmott

Ten years ago, Inme were the subject of substantial hype, touted as the future of UK rock music, destined for arenas and heading for some big festival slots. Unfortunately for them, that still hasn’t materialized but it’s good to know that they’re still out there producing great material for their dedicated fan base.

Their latest release and fifth studio album “The Pride” kick starts a new era for the band. The Inme of today are a different animal from the one who brought you so called classics “Underdose” and “Firefly”. With the addition of their new guitarist, Gary Marlow, they further embrace the technical influences they adopted on the last two records. Opener “Reverie Shores” is perhaps one of the best tracks they’ve produced since the days of White Butterfly, incorporating a subtle heavy edge with Dave MacPherson’s trademark eccentric vocals, making this nigh on perfect. “Moonlit Seabed” features shades of electronica, not too distant from the likes of Enter Shikari, delivering another solid cut. With “A Great Man”, there’s a strong pop rock feel, whilst retaining their signature sound. Following that, they opt for a more mellow production, as demonstrated in “Escape To Mysteriopa” and “Silver Womb”, the latter showcasing impressive symphonic arrangements. They get their feet off the ground with “Guardian”, yet another strong moment for this album. The only disappointment perhaps is towards the end, when it starts to drift slightly and maybe lose focus, save for the last couple of minutes of “Legacy”, but by now the positives have far outweighed any negatives found on the record.

“The Pride” shows that Inme have grown gracefully from their nu metal/post- grunge days and managed to put their own spin on a genre that aspiring bands may well emulate in the foreseeable future. This album will undoubtedly appeal to fans who have waited so long for a release, but it is a very different sound – although just as appealing – from the glory days of 2003.

The band will be embarking on a 35-date UK tour next month, covering almost the entire map of the island. If “The Pride” is anything to go by, then they are certainly worthy of your hard earned pennies.