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.
IMHA TARIKAT are poised to carry the flames of triumph onto stages across the globe, with their fourth album "Confessing Darkness" released via PROPHECY PRODUCTIONS on June 20, 2025, being met with praise across the metal press:
Deaf Forever - 9/10 - Titlestory & Album of the Month
“The band of the moment“
Rock Hard Magazine - 9.5/10
“A beacon of hope in contemporary Black Metal.”
Metal.de - 9/10
“IMHA TARIKAT are long since playing in a league of their own.”
Blabbermouth - 8.5/10
“True individuals in an often-homogenous scene.”
KNOTFEST
“The fourth full length from the project and arguably their finest, IMHA TARIKAT emerge as black metal for the modern age.”
Featured in Metal Hammer Germany, Legacy Magazine, and many more.
Renowned for their mantra "PASSION BURSTING", the band has earned a reputation for delivering intense and emotionally explosive live performances — transforming audiences into a unified force.