Witch

There is a threshold that many heavy bands fear to cross—that specific, murky territory where metal ceases to be just a collection of riffs and becomes something spectral, something inherently dangerous. With their latest offering, 'Witch', In This Moment don't just cross that line; they set it on fire and dance in the embers. This isn't just another chapter in their evolution; it is a metamorphosis. They have shed the skin of conventional metalcore to inhabit a persona that is far more primal, cinematic, and authoritative.

From the opening moments, the production on 'Witch' signals a departure toward a grander, more cavernous aesthetic. The low-end is thick enough to choke a horse, yet the high-frequency textures retain a razor-sharp bite. It feels expansive. This isn't music recorded for a bedroom; it's music designed to echo through stone cathedrals and haunted forests. The band has moved away from the hyper-polished sheen of contemporary metal, opting instead for a weighty, almost tangible atmosphere that serves as the perfect vessel for their brand of theatrical heavy metal.

A searing, unapologetic ascent into the occult. 'Witch' is the most definitive statement of In This Moment's career.

'Shame' sets the pace with an unapologetic authority. It establishes the sonic architecture immediately: crushing weight balanced by melodic gravity. It's a declaration of intent. As the album progresses into 'I Want To Believe', the inclusion of Dayseeker provides a haunting, ethereal counterpoint, showcasing a dynamic range that few in the genre can manage. The interplay between Maria's soaring, commanding vocals and the crushing wall of sound creates a push-pull dynamic that keeps the listener in a state of constant tension.

However, the heart of the record lies in its ability to build a narrative of obsession. 'Crawl' and 'Into The Dark' showcase the band's knack for pacing, building momentum like a pressure cooker about to explode. They understand that heavy music is as much about the space between the notes as the notes themselves. There is a sinister elegance to the songwriting here, a deliberate avoidance of the 'more is more' trap in favour of calculated, impactful heavy.

One of the high points of the journey is 'Heretic', featuring the incomparable Kim Dracula. This track is a masterclass in stylistic fusion, where the gritty, avant-garde edge of the guest performance meshes seamlessly with the band's towering presence. It feels like a desperate, howling plea in the middle of a storm. It is visceral, uncomfortable, and utterly brilliant. It's these moments of genuine unpredictability that elevate 'Witch' from a great album to a monumental one.

Then we reach the heavier, more ritualistic turn of 'Father' and 'Wrapped Around Your Finger.' Here, the music becomes almost hypnotic. The riffs aren't just played; they are chanted. The transition into 'Without Me There's No You' brings a sense of tragic grandeur, showcasing the band's ability to weave vulnerability into a crushing framework. It is the ultimate juxtaposition of the fragile and the ferocious, a hallmark of the In This Moment identity that has only become more refined here.

For the oddity that is 'Another Brick In The Wall', the collaboration with Kat Von D provides a jarring, gothic twist that underscores the 'Witch' aesthetic. It is a moment of high-concept theatre, leaning into the iconography of the macabre. It doesn't feel forced; it feels like an organic extension of the album's occultist identity. The production captures every gasp and and growl with surgical precision, ensuring that no detail of this sonic landscape is lost.

Closing with 'Something I Can Never Have', the band leaves us in a state of haunted exhaustion. The final notes linger like smoke in the air. 'Witch' isn't just a collection of high-octane tracks; it's a coherent, cohesive voyage into the darkest corners of the human psyche. They have managed to synthesize aggression and atmosphere in a way that feels both revolutionary and inevitable. It is a crowning achievement that solidifies their status as titans of the heavy realm.

In a genre that often rewards conformity, In This Moment have chosen to lean into the strange, the dark, and the decadent. 'Witch' is a gorgeous, terrifying achievement. It is heavy metal in its most primal, elevated form—a sonic ritual that demands your full attention and offers a haunting reward in return. It is a definitive masterpiece of modern metal, a triumph of atmosphere over artifice, and a punishingly beautiful piece of art.