Check out any of Ímar’s social media over the last couple of months, and you’ll be left in no doubt as to their excitement as release day approaches for Awakening, the band’s third album. It’s also clear that the five-year gap since their last release Avalanche, dominated by the pandemic restrictions, had been a frustrating time for them. But now we’re hearing the music made when they were finally able to work together; it’s equally clear they’ve used the five years wisely, growing and maturing both individually and collectively. Awakening shows Ímar are back with a vengeance, producing music that is even more imaginative and adventurous than their first two albums.