For nearly two decades In This Moment have been tearing up the modern Metal scene… but it was not without hard work. Going back to 2005, after meeting at an audition, co-founding In This Moment members Chris Howorth and Maria Brink formed Dying Star. Not happy with the band’s direction, Brink and Howorth rejuvenated the supporting cast and thus formed In This Moment. Very grass roots, they worked at building a fanbase through early social media sites (like MySpace) and self-promoted tours. Seeming like everything was going well, the band put out Beautiful Tragedy in 2007 and were on the right track.
Then around 2011 everything nearly fell apart, but Brink and Howorth once more refused to let their dreams die and put together another new lineup, soon resulting in their most successful record at the time, 2012’s Blood. Since then solidifying, with Travis Johnson on bass, Randy Weitzel on rhythm guitar, and most recently, Kent Diimmel on drums, In This Moment have played countless shows, plus struck gold on various hit singles. Even earning a Grammy nomination in 2021 for the single “The In-Between,” they have been a machine that shows no sign of slowing down. Releasing seven albums over the years, now in 2023, In This Moment emerge with their eighth album, GODMODE.
Fronted by one of Metals hottest and most powerful female vocalists, Maria Brink, for In This Moment’s eighth studio album they decided to push the envelope once more and explore new musical elements. Released on October 27, 2023 through BMG, the album includes ten new tracks, including a cover from one of Brink’s inspirations, Björk, plus a collaboration with Ice Nine Kills’ Spencer Charnas on the song “Damaged.”
Furthermore, GODMODE, as alluded to, does include a lot of experimental Synthwave elements, and there is even a collaboration with Tyler Bates; the award-winning producer and composer of numerous films, television, and video game scores.
These factors in mind, the album standing strong, beginning with a single, and the title-track, which takes more of an electronic lead. This is while other tracks take this same path, including both “Sacrifice” and “Sanctify Me.” There are also cuts that display Brink’s clean, and very powerful vocals include “Skyburner,” the aforementioned “Damaged,” plus “I Would Die for You”; which was featured on the John Wick: Chapter 4 soundtrack (co-written with Tyler Bates).
Digging deeper beneath the surface of what this album offers, for those who enjoy Brink’s powerful unique screams, it is again recommended to indulge in highlighted tracks that include “Sanctify Me,” single “The Purge,” and the title-cut, “GODMODE.” A bundle of the most compelling of this offering, all of them exemplify In This Moment’s exploration into new territory and keep with a heavier, darker tone. However, one of the songs that will send shivers down your spine is Brink and In This Moment’s interesting take on Björk’s 1995 piece “Army of Me.”
Bringing together Synthwave sounds, Maria Brink’s unique vocals, and a team that gels very well together, GODMODE is set to be some of their best work to date. It is an album sure to please long-time fans, but also possibly earn some new fans along the way. All together it flows nicely, it proves that a band can still be heavy, yet create music that is smooth and graceful. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this exciting new effort from In This Moment 5 out of 5 stars.
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