Incarnation (album) explained

Incarnation
Type:	studio
Artist:	In Hearts Wake
Cover:	In Hearts Wake - Incarnation.png
Recorded:	December 2023
Studio:	Schroeder (Bay City)
Genre:	Metalcore
Length:	39:47
Label:	UNFD
Producer:	Josh Schroeder
Prev Title:	Kaliyuga
Prev Year:	2020

Incarnation is the sixth studio album by Australian metalcore band In Hearts Wake. It was released on 12 July 2024 through UNFD. It is their first album without longtime bassist/clean vocalist Kyle Erich.^[1]

Background and promotion

On 23 April, the band released the first single "Hollow Bone (The World)" and its corresponding music video. At the same time, they announced the album's release date, cover art, and track list.^[2] This was followed by the singles "Orphan (The Devil)"^[3] and "The Flood (Justice)".^[4]

Vocalist Jake Taylor described the album's concept, "'Incarnation' is the shadow counterpart and sequel to the band’s debut album 'Divination', with each song inspired by the meaning and ideals of a particular Major Arcana Tarot card. There are 22 Major Arcana Tarot cards in every deck and 11 tracks on each record, bringing the vision to completion 12 years later. But much like a coin with two sides, cards flipped upside down deliver the reversed meaning. Polarized in every way, 'Incarnation' explores the dark underbelly to mirror and stand diametrically opposite to 'Divination'."^[5]

In Hearts Wake will promote the album via touring as a supporting act for Miss May I in that band's Apologies Are for the Weak 15th anniversary American tour in October and November 2024.^[6]

Critical reception

The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. Heavy magazine wrote a positive unrated review for the album and said, "this could be the best Australian heavy music release of the year."^[7]

Track listing

Notes

• Each track's parenthesised subtitle is written in upside-down text; for example, "Spitting Nails (Wheel of Fortune)" is rendered as "Spitting Nails (ǝunʇɹoɟ ɟo lǝǝɥʍ)".

Personnel

In Hearts Wake

• Jake Taylor – lead vocals
• Eaven Dall – lead guitar, backing vocals, Winston McCall vocal recording on track 3
• Ben Nairne – rhythm guitar, bass guitar
• Conor Ward – drums

Additional musicians

• Winston McCall – guest vocals on track 3
• Katio Nagai – guest vocals on track 6
• Chad Ruhlig – guest vocals on track 9
• David Gunn – guest vocals on track 9
• Alfonso Civile – guest vocals on track 9
• Don Bauer – guest vocals on track 9
• Garret Rapp – guest vocals on track 10

Technical

• Josh Schroeder – production, mixing, mastering, recording
• Johann Ingemar – album artwork, layout
• Ross Vanosch – additional colouring, design, layout, text
• Milan Chagoury – logo, additional design

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[8]	49

Notes and References

1. Web site: In Hearts Wake Announce New Album Incarnation. Rock 'N' Load. 24 April 2024 . 14 July 2024.
2. Web site: In Hearts Wake To Release New Album "Incarnation" In July. ThePRP. July 14, 2024. April 22, 2024.
3. Web site: In Hearts Wake Drop "Orphan" Music Video. ThePRP. July 14, 2024. June 5, 2024.
4. Web site: In Hearts Wake Debut "The Flood" Video Featuring Parkway Drive's Winston McCall. ThePRP. July 14, 2024. July 10, 2024.
5. Web site: In Hearts Wake Share Details For New Concept Album Incarnation, Debut "Hollow Bone" Video. ThePRP. July 14, 2024. April 24, 2024.
6. Web site: Miss May I Set Dates For "Apologies Are For The Weak" 15th Anniversary Tour With In Hearts Wake, Traitors & Bloom. ThePRP. July 14, 2024. May 15, 2024.
7. Web site: In Hearts Wake 'Kaliyuga'. Heavy. Jimmy. Glinster . 12 July 2024. 14 July 2024.
8. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 July 2024. 19 July 2024.