Formed in 2005, In This Moment have built a suitably rabid fanbase over the course of seven albums, the last of which (2020’s critically lauded Mother), saw the band earn a Grammy nomination for the track The In-Between. Fronted by the exceptionally talented Maria Brink, In This Moment steadfastly refuse to remain in any one genre, with elements of industrial, metal, goth and even pop floating through the mix, with the result that their albums can engage and alienate by turns. With Godmode, In This Moment continue that trend, offering a highly polished album that frequently hooks the listener in, occasionally losing focus when it edges too far into the mainstream.
It kicks off with the title track, which builds from its atmospheric opening as Maria whispers “what did you say to me?” with increasing levels of agitation. When the bomb finally drops, she unleashes a vocal that sits somewhere between King810 and Fever 333 in the chain of inspiration, and it makes for a strong start to the record. Next up, we get the steady pulse of The Purge, an ultra-modern slab of dirty, industrial metal with influences ranging from My Ruin to 3Teeth via Lacuna Coil. It’s a strong track, boasting varied vocals, a heavy finale and plenty of melodic depth to keep things memorable no matter how punishing things get. Maintaining the pace, In This Moment offer up a surprisingly muscular cover of Bjork’s Army Of Me, capturing some of the hypnotic power of the original while giving it a heavy, industrial makeover. The band next take a subtle sidestep with Sacrifice, which deals in atmospheres last heard on NIN’s Pretty Hate Machine. With a taut stomp perfectly suited to the dance floor, it’s a neon-lit highlight that showcases the band’s influences without resorting to pastiche, and the chorus is immense too. An arpeggiated synth line leads into the mid-tempo Skyburner, a track that opens with breathy vocals, before mixing Tool-esque dynamics and a hauntingly melodic chorus worthy of Filter. As with the opener, it’s an impressively eclectic track that maintains the high level of quality visible across the majority of the album.
Things initially get heavier for the album’s second half, the djent-esque riffing of Sanctify Me, providing Maria with an apocalyptic backdrop as she rages into the mic, sounding more like Tarrie B. than ever. It’s a bravura performance, Maria effortlessly switching between brutality and vulnerability, and it’ stands as another album highlight.’s easily the album’s heaviest track. The dance floor takes another hammering during Sacrifice, a track guaranteed to get the cybergoths waving their glow sticks in unison, as the band shift from synth-heavy verse to splenetic chorus and back. The industrial elements continue with Everything Starts And Ends With You a track that mixes the creeping dread of Rammstein with the high drama of Evanescence – an influence that edges closer to the fore as the album heads towards its conclusion. It paves the way for what is arguably the album’s most divisive track in Fate Bringer, which steps heavily into mainstream territory thanks to a verse that wouldn’t sound out of place on Halsey’s recent album. Nevertheless, the band cheerily subvert expectations as Maria lets loose a harrowing roar on a chorus boasting lyrics that recall Courtney Love. The unexpected Damaged sees Maria and Spencer Charnas trading rhymes as they rap their way through the verse, although heavy guitars and an agitated performance keep things moving briskly along. The album concludes with I would Die For You, a track that strips away the rage, leaving Maria vulnerable amidst a heavily processed backdrop with a cinematic edge to it.
As with previous outings from In This Moment, Godmode is an eclectic mix of genres that often hits the mark, although the heavy tilt towards pop influences may alienate some. With their gleaming production, In This Moment fit comfortably alongside the likes of Bring Me The Horizon and Evanesce, as well as heavier fare like Fever 333 and 3Teeth, and they showcase considerable flair as they move between their various influences with ease. With an eye on the dancefloor and a stunning performance from Maria Brink, whose ability to inhabit the songs with utter conviction is utterly remarkable, Godmode is an impressive modern metal album that is well worth exploring. 8/10
