Two days ahead of its official release, the highly praised newIMHA TARIKATfull-length “Confessing Darkness” is exclusively streaming via the YouTube channelBlack Metal Promotiontoday, starting at 15:00 CEST.
The fourth album from the German black metal band has already been awarded “Album of the Month” in German Deaf Forever magazine, scored a #9 in the Metal Hammer (DE) soundcheck, and also received a 14/15 review in Legacy (DE) magazine.
“Confessing Darkness“ will hit stores on June 20, 2025. Details of the album can be viewed below.
Shop link: http://lnk.spkr.media/imhatarikat-darkness
IMHA TARIKAT comment: “Dear all, it is our great honor and pleasure to present ‘Confessing Darkness’ to you already today, courtesy of Black Metal Promotion – to whom we extend our gratitude”, mastermind Kerem Yilmaz writes. “This album documents the deepest shades of emotions and actions that we all hide away. Gathered under the belief that no secret shall persist, we spit out poison to wash our hearts clean. Listen as we confess with rage, maliciousness, grief, and devotion. We invite you to gather the strength to do the same.”
Tracklist
1. Intro – Aufbruch
2. Wicked Shrine
3. Another Failed Ritual
4. Voices of Bitter Epiphany
5. Excellent Grief
6. Confessing Darkness
7. Chamber of Sin
8. Horns in the Smoke
9. Memoria Dei (Profanity and Devil)
10. Pitch Black Reflection
11. The Day I Died (Reborn into Flames)
Everything about IMHA TARIKAT has always been real: the anger, the despair, the hatred, the bursts of energy, the eternal longing, and also the boundless passion both on record and live on stage that borders on physical self-destruction.
On their fourth album, “Confessing Darkness”, the German black metal innovators are once again pushing hard against all the boundaries that define the genre without ever losing the essential connection to the harsh style. Black metal has always been a much less narrowly defined musical beast than outsiders or jealous gatekeepers have often insinuated.
IMHA TARIKAT have previously made use of all the possibilities that the genre offers while still carving out their own territory. Their dark kingdom is built on two pillars: Musically, a relentless pushing and unstoppable drive forward characterise their sound. “Confessing Darkness” delivers even more of that raw energy than before. The other foundation is a deep emotional intelligence that fully utilises the ability of black metal to express every feeling ranging from purest love to darkest hatred, from severe depression to outbursts of joy. And again, this album takes these personal confessions several steps further as it is all true.
This time around, IMHA TARIKAT‘s lyrical and musical mastermind Kerem Yilmaz aka Ruhsuz Cellât has created the whole album in a studio environment, which benefits the sound. He has also opted mostly for shorter, sharper assaults. The tracks on “Confessing Darkness” come straight to the point and let go when they have spent their devastating power.
IMHA TARIKAT and its black sound were created as an emotional pressure valve for its founder, Kerem Yilmaz. Already the first EP “Kenoboros” left an excellent impression in 2017, while the following demo “Son Mistisizm” (2018) conquered new musical territory. The debut full-length “Kara Ihlas” (2019), the sophomore black metal supernova “Sternenberster” (2020) and “Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World” (2022) are all part of an ever escalating black spiral that reaches a new critical mass with “Confessing Darkness”.
IMHA TARIKAT have matured as “Confessing Darkness” clearly demonstrates. Yet although some of the youthful sonic violence has waned while experience and hard won musical knowledge are waxing, the German black metal outfit has only gained in conviction and strength. Beyond doubt, “Confessing Darkness” marks a milestone in the rise of IMHA TARIKAT.
Band: Imha Tarikat
Album title: Confessing Darkness
Style: Black Metal
Release date: June 20, 2025
Label: Prophecy Productions
Review impact date: May 19, 2025
Line-up
Kerem Yilmaz – vocals, lead guitar
Marvin Giehr – guitar
Jerome Reil – drums
Ricardo Baum – bass
Recording line-up
Kerem Yilmaz – vocals, all guitars, bass, compositions, lyrics
Jerome Reil – drums
Guest musicians
Marvin (Hexer) – vocals on ‘Pitch Black Reflection’
Marvin (Hexer) – rhythm guitar on ‘Wicked Shrine’ & ‘The Day I Died’
Barth (ArsGoatia) – main vocals on ‘The Sun Goes Down’ (bonus track)
Recording by Michael Zech at Church of Sound Studio, Munich (DE)
Mixed by Michael Zech at Church of Sound Studio, Munich (DE)
Mastered by Victor Santura at Woodshed Studio, Landshut (DE)
Cover artwork by Sofia Buratti (Silvatica Illustration)
Layout by Łukasz Jaszak
Links
www.facebook.com/imhatarikat
www.instagram.com/imhatarikat
www.prophecy.de/artists/imha-tarikat
