In This Moment – “Black Widow” [Album Review]

If you listened to any of 2012’s Blood, the predecessor to this album, then the sexually-charged ’90s industrial-electro rock that makes up the majority of Black Widow should come as no surprise whatsoever.

Black Widow is the sound of In This Moment growing up and moving onto a new chapter in their life-cycle. It’s a massive-sounding album full of ’90s electro-rock inspiration, an era which saw the likes of Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Nine Inch Nails hitting their peak. Well, 2014 sees In This Moment put their own twist on that sound with songs full of infectious beats and massive anthemic hooks.

However, where Black Widow really comes into its own is in the voice and performance of vocalist Maria Brink. As the recording stomps and pounds through its course, the likes of “Sick Like Me” and “Big Bad Wolf” are fizzing with her powerful, commanding, emotional vocals as she pours her heart and soul into every word she sings, screams and roars. Put simply, from the heart-wrenching “The Fighter” to the infectious “Dirty Pretty,” Brink delivers a breathtaking performance that demands your full undivided attention.

From their early days as part of the second wave of nu-metal bands right through to the here and now, In This Moment have grown into a majestic band. Yes, you could say that a whole generation of bands have already done what In This Moment are attempting on Black Widow and, yes, it does borrow a lot from the Mansons and Zombies of this world, but Brinks’ supercharged performance alone should see Black Widow and In This Moment make quite an impact on the rock scene in 2015.

Track Listing:

01. The Infection
02. Sex Metal Barbie
03. Big Bad Wolf
04. Dirty Pretty
05. Black Widow
06. Sexual Hallucination (feat. Brent Smith)
07. Sick Like Me
08. Bloody Creature Poster Girl
09. The Fighter
10. Bones
11. Natural Born Sinner
12. Into The Darkness
13. Out Of Hell

Run Time: 60:04
Release Date: November 14, 2014

Check out the album ‘Black Widow’