Interview: Eddie Berg of Imminence – Spotlight Report

With Good Things Festival just around the corner, we had the chance to chat with Imminence frontman and violin virtuoso Eddie Berg.

Known for their unique blend of heavy riffs, cinematic soundscapes, and hauntingly beautiful violin melodies, Sweden’s Imminence is set to bring their signature sound Down Under, promising an unforgettable experience for festival-goers.

In our chat, Eddie shared insights into the band’s journey and opened up about an unusual encounter with a fan during his early days in music—a story that’s equal parts bizarre and heartwarming. He also revealed how his passion for the violin began and how it became a defining element of Imminence’s sound.

SR: Your new album The Black feels like a powerful and immersive journey. Could you tell us about the core themes and messages you wanted to convey in this album?

EB: As a lyricist, I write a lot for myself, dealing with dark thoughts and depression. Music has long been my way of processing those feelings. Writing The Black felt like a culmination, diving deeper into those topics and the darkness—hence the name.

SR: Are there any specific songs from The Black that you feel especially connected to, or that have stories behind them you’d like to share?

EB: For me, The Black in its entirety has been a deeply personal album to write, both for myself and the band. I feel like we’ve hit a full-circle moment with our sound, creating something that truly represents Imminence. My favorite tracks are the title track and “Continuum,” but writing the instrumental tracks was also a creatively fulfilling experience. Crafting something that evokes emotion without being a traditional song has always fascinated me. I’ve always been a big fan of scoring, not just music, so incorporating that was a great addition.

SR: Eddie, your violin playing adds such a unique and haunting dimension to Imminence’s sound, especially on The Black. When did you start playing the violin, and did you have any pre-show jitters about performing live for the first time?

EB: I started playing the violin when I was five years old, so it’s been a part of my life for a long time. When we started the band, I didn’t initially think to include it—I was there to do metal vocals, and violin didn’t seem like it belonged in metal. Eventually, we began incorporating string arrangements and recording violin parts in the studio.

At first, I wasn’t comfortable playing it as a lead instrument. I wasn’t even sure how to amplify it properly for live shows. The first time I played violin live was during a European tour in 2018, where we performed an acoustic track featuring the violin. I was pretty nervous about how it would sound on stage because it’s technically challenging—you don’t hear yourself as clearly as when you’re practicing at home. But it’s been a learning process, and we’ve gradually figured out how to make it work live.

SR: You’re playing quite early in the day at Good Things Festival. Are you planning to stick around and watch other bands? Are there any Australian artists you’re particularly excited to see or connect with?

EB: It really depends on our schedule—if we have to travel the same day or not. If we do have time, we’ll definitely hang around, meet people, and maybe catch a few sets. We’ll just take it as it comes.

SR: Have fans ever asked you for something weird or funny?

EB: One of the most uncomfortable situations I’ve been in was during one of our early tours in Europe. After a show, we were hanging out at the venue, and a fan cornered me and asked if I could sing one of our songs on the spot. I didn’t have the heart to say no, even though I felt completely unprepared. So, I ended up singing a cappella for them while others started watching. It was a really strange and uncomfortable experience, but I just couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

SR: Do you have any other funny tour stories to share?

EB: Touring feels like a haze sometimes—you get into a rhythm. There are funny moments, but they’re often more personal, shared between the band and crew. One story I’ve shared before was from one of our first tours. We were staying in this big, eerie hotel that gave off The Shining vibes. There wasn’t a soul around except the receptionist, who was there when we arrived late at night and still there in the morning.

At breakfast, we found a little continental spread. I went back for seconds, only to discover the cereal was crawling with maggots. It was such a surreal and disgusting moment, but it’s one of those memories that sticks with you.

SR: Well, you won’t get that in Australia.

EB: I hope not! Although I’ve heard Australia has plenty of deadly animals and insects.

SR: You won’t see any of that in the city.

EB: Yeah, I’ve heard the cities are safe.

SR: And our cities have beaches! Do you think you’ll have time to relax by the water?

EB: I’m not sure—we’ll probably have a pretty packed schedule. If there’s any downtime, we’ll see, but we’ll take it as it comes.

IMMINENCE HEADLINE SHOWS

TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER – CROWBAR, SYDNEY (SELLING FAST)
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER – STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)

GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL

Friday 6 December – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (15+)
Saturday 7 December – Centennial Park, Sydney (16+)
Sunday 8 December – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (15+)