This is In This Moment’s fourth album release. I heard the first two and particularly liked the first one “Beautiful Tragedy” (2007), which was in a feisty, gothic pop-metalcore style. I thought “The Dream”, while having a good range and energy, dropped off a bit and didn’t look into “A Star Crossed Wasteland” (2010).
Well, let me say from the outset about “Blood” that theLos Angelesband has raised their game with this one. “Blood” is an explosion of colourful sound and styles. It’s as if they’ve broken free, taken a range of ideas and packaged them together but not commercially as to be insipid. This album reflects the feistiness, aggression, melody and dark energy which are their trademarks.
From the beginning the vibe is powerful and attention-capturing. It’s not what I was expecting. The title track is unusual. It’s edgy and with dark, electro edges. Singer Ms Brink, dare I suggest metal’s answer to Lady Gaga, is always going to be an asset with her power, range and charisma. This has the air of hardcore street goth metal with space even for a symphonic ending. We’ve barely started and I can’t wait for what’s coming next. In fact it’s the appropriately titled “Adrenalize” with its echoing vocals, stuttering progression and combination of dark rock guitar and electro. It’s designed to make you shudder. This punishing psychedelia has a strange whiff in its melody of Tears for Fears with the addition of Ms Brink’s unique vocals. This comes from a different part of the musical spectrum. It’s very interesting. Ms Brink screams instructions and is inter–r-r-upted. Catchy, punchy, strong – there’s real power in this. Each track is refreshingly different and well constructed. “You’re Gonna Listen” may be slower but it’s still angry. The hatred comes across. The instrumentals are patient and match the sinister suspicion which runs through this track.
“You’re Gonna Listen” takes in a different direction again. Its chorus of “Shut Up” is not going to win literary awards but it’s nevertheless a diverse track. To start, there’s an element of industrial electro, then Ms Brink creates an Eastern feel, that it when she is not screaming her lungs out. Wild guitars add to the controlled Mayhem. There’s great timing and complexity. “Burn” is crushingly heavy, proving it’s not all about atmospherics yet Gothic melodies, screams and melodies combine. Tick-tick-tick-tock. The clock provides the backbone. Imagination is given free rein, as Ms Blink introduces the dark and sinister “Burn”. The build-up is impressive and there’s great emotional balance and power. After a bit of obscure psychedelia, “From the Ashes” captures the essence of this album: heavy riffs, good melodies, ballsy vocals and mood changes. There’s a lot of maturity about “Blood”. The mix is rich. We are treated to hardcore goth aggression, heightened tensions aided by clanking instrumentals, mystical tones and passionate vocals. The rhythm of “Comanche” is like a train steaming on. The journey continues on “The Blood Legion” but this time it is tinged with sadness. This is an edgy and shadowy track, enhanced as usual by Ms Blick’s impressive voice. Musically, it bursts into flames. This album is interesting and feisty to the end.
Having heard two of In This Moment’s previous works, I was caught by surprise by this album. There are so many good ideas in here. “Blood” is original and creative. In This Moment have done what they want to do and extended their range of dark gothic melodic metal. This is what happens when you’re open minded enough to bring together a vast range of ideas. “Blood” is a really powerful and atmospheric album.
(9 /10 Andrew Doherty)
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