Phoenix Visionaries IMAGINAL CELLS Breathe New Life Into Progressive Metal Classic with Star-Studded Rendition of “The Forgotten Ones”
Modern Progressive Metal Ensemble Featuring Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Winners and Sacred Rite Veterans Delivers Transformative Take on Magnus Karlsson Masterpiece
In an era where authentic artistic expression often feels lost beneath commercial veneer, Phoenix-based progressive metal collective IMAGINAL CELLS emerges as a beacon of uncompromising creative vision. Following the resounding critical acclaim of their debut concept album Purified, the band returns with their most ambitious collaborative effort yet—a stunning reimagining of Magnus Karlsson’s progressive rock masterpiece “The Forgotten Ones,” originally crafted for the Allen/Land project in 2005.
This isn’t merely another cover version; it’s a profound artistic statement that exemplifies everything IMAGINAL CELLS represents. Where the original carried the weight of melodic sophistication, this Phoenix-forged interpretation infuses the composition with the band’s signature organic textures and tribal polyrhythmic foundations, creating something entirely transcendent while honoring the source material’s emotional core.
The stellar lineup assembled for “The Forgotten Ones” reads like a progressive metal hall of fame. Legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto—whose incomparable pipes have graced recordings by Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, Sons of Apollo, Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Talisman—brings his trademark soaring delivery to the track’s most vulnerable moments. Complementing Soto’s performance is guitar virtuoso Joel Hoekstra, whose versatile six-string mastery has enhanced the sounds of Cher, Night Ranger, Whitesnake, and Trans Siberian Orchestra. The collaboration extends to longtime IMAGINAL CELLS affiliate Mark Kaleiwahea of 80s metal stalwarts Sacred Rite (Medusa/Restless Records, Axe Killer Records, No Remorse), alongside the ethereal backing vocals of Dierdre Evans (Dierdre) and the haunting violin textures provided by Cathie King.
What elevates this release beyond typical supergroup fare is IMAGINAL CELLS’ unwavering commitment to meaningful artistic expression. In keeping with the penetrating philosophical depth that defined their earlier work, “The Forgotten Ones” transforms Karlsson’s composition into a meditation on hope amidst despair—a lifeline for those grappling with loss, isolation, and spiritual disconnection. It’s precisely the kind of message our fractured world desperately needs, delivered through the universal language of transcendent music.
The band’s approach to “The Forgotten Ones” perfectly embodies their distinctive sonic philosophy. Built upon the foundation of pounding rhythms that have become their calling card, the track showcases their ability to weave lush vocal harmonies into complex musical tapestries without sacrificing emotional immediacy. The organic tones and textures that defined Purified remain intact, but here they serve a different purpose—not as vehicles for apocalyptic prophecy, but as instruments of healing and renewal.
IMAGINAL CELLS’ decision to tackle this particular composition speaks to their artistic maturity. While their critically acclaimed debut Purified explored the darker aspects of human nature through the lens of Wetiko—the cannibalistic mind parasite from Algonquian folklore representing humanity’s destructive impulses—“The Forgotten Ones” offers a counterbalance. It suggests that redemption remains possible even in our darkest hours, that connection can triumph over isolation, and that hope can emerge from the ashes of despair.
The band’s unique positioning within the progressive metal landscape continues to set them apart from their contemporaries. Composed of Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artists and featuring members of respected metal veterans Sacred Rite, IMAGINAL CELLS brings both cultural authenticity and decades of musical experience to their craft. Their music transcends simple genre classification, incorporating elements of classic progressive rock, modern metal, and indigenous musical traditions into something genuinely innovative.
This collaborative approach to “The Forgotten Ones” represents more than artistic ambition—it’s a testament to the band’s ability to attract top-tier talent while maintaining their distinctive creative vision. The presence of established stars like Jeff Scott Soto and Joel Hoekstra validates IMAGINAL CELLS’ growing reputation within progressive music circles, while their seamless integration into the band’s organic sound demonstrates the universal appeal of authentic artistic expression.
Following the success of Purified—which featured mixing by multiple award-winning Jimmy Caterine and mastering by industry legend Maor Appelbaum—“The Forgotten Ones” serves as the latest installment in the band’s cover series and their first recorded material since their debut’s release through Eye See Records. The track functions as both a standalone statement and a bridge to whatever conceptual territories IMAGINAL CELLS will explore next.
In an industry often obsessed with surface-level innovation, IMAGINAL CELLS continues to prove that depth, authenticity, and emotional honesty remain the most powerful tools in any artist’s arsenal. Their rendition of “The Forgotten Ones” doesn’t just reimagine a progressive rock classic—it transforms it into something urgently contemporary while honoring its timeless emotional resonance.
For listeners seeking music that challenges, comforts, and ultimately transforms, IMAGINAL CELLS’ “The Forgotten Ones” offers exactly what its title suggests: recognition of those who feel unseen, unheard, and abandoned. In a world increasingly divided by artificial barriers, this Phoenix-based collective reminds us that music remains our most powerful medium for reconnection, healing, and hope.
This is absolutely amazing!!