To my great surprise, the history of this Geneva based Swiss EmoCore act goes back to 1996, when a line-up comprised of brothers Michael (vocals & guitar) an David Schindl (drums) alongside brothers Thierry and Didier Baertschiger (respectively guitar and bass) recorded the band's self-released and self-titled debut single.
Two years later the band came up with the 6-track EP Undressing Your Soul, which was released through the small Weakness Records label. A first line-up change occurred during 2000, with Didier being replaced by Matthias Perrin, but I'm uncertain whether the latter already contributed to the band's debut full-length, 2000's self-released Afraid. Certain however, is that he as with the band to tour France with the band Ordeal, with whom the band would share a split EP entitled 442, released in late November 2001 by Division Records. The band next collaborated with producer Serge Morattel (known then from previous collaborations with Knut, Brazen, and Shora, among others) to record and release their sophomore full-length I Can't Believe I Was Born in July. Released in 2003 through Waiting For An Angel and Space Patrol Records, the album was a step forward for the band composition-wize, with the guitarists also going for a more entangled approach. On Nov. 2005's L'Amour, La Mort, L'Enfance Perdue (issued through Space Patrol Records and Get A Life! Records) , the band expends even further on their sound, to the point f even including a Power-Pop-Punk track.
Then in 2006, both David and Thierry leave Geneva for other horizons, and new members are found in guitarist Alexander Müller and drummer Mario Togni. With the new line-up, IW sets forth for their most intense series of live performances yet, touring and performing all over Europe with Knut, Overmars, Gojira, Ephel Duath, Neurosis, and The Ocean Collective. After that run however, Müller leaves, and is replaced by Knut guitarist Christian Valleise in 2007. Soon after, the band hits the studio to record its 4th full-length Prayers And Arsons, which is released through Get A Life! Records (CD) and Division Records (lim. edition of 333 copies). The album confirmed IW as a band capable of combining complexities and emotions with Pop sensibilities in Metallic Hardcore, and consolidated the varied influences the band had shown on previous releases.
In the recording hiatus which follows, the band stayed active on the live circuit, and they've toured through France, Belgium and Holland. Valleise also left during that period, and he was replaced by current second guitarist/ backing singer Mathieu Hardouin prior to starting recordings (again with Morattel behind the knobs, and Hardouin aiding) for their latest offering in late 2012. On Black Honey, the band definitely turned the Pop sensibilities in their songs to a sensitive high, without for that fact losing the complexities and ferocity factors of the music! The funny thing is, the music is now possibly more bombastic than it's ever been before...and I personally lóve it! I mean, if I could be ascertained that EmoCore as a genre would have more bands like IW, I might bandwagon on it again. Oh wait...I never really did anything like that, or at least not in the way that it's usually meant (forsaking all others for the benefit of one genre or sub-genre, you know, was never my thing – I rather always added new styles to my musical interests). For some music off the album (and all other IW releases, by the way), go to the “discography” section at he band's own (www.) impurenet.com, where you'll find individual links. Rather enough material to keep one busy for a while, I would say...so I hope you'll enjoy what's offered!
Meanwhile, the line-up underwent another change, with Schindl and Togni now sided by guitarist Diego Almeida and bassist/ backing singer Sebastien Dutriel.