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Ritual
"Now with six studio records under their belt, In This Moment remain one of contemporary metal’s most popular acts. However, being one of metal’s more mainstream bands takes nothing away from their talent and fun presence. Ritual takes the qualities we enjoy about the band, and spins them in delightful ways. In this newest record, while there are moments that stagger, the band continues to produce music that is catchy and alive.
The most surprising song on Ritual is actually a cover, being non-other than Phil Collin’s “In The Air Tonight”. Unlike Collin’s original, In This Moment take the guitar tone to more of a darker realm that is minimal and shadowy. Brink’s voice starts off with a somber touch, wading its way through the music. Eventually the track bursts, taking more of a rock approach rather than vibrant pop. The result isn’t as catchy as the original, but shows that the band is willing to tread new ground in presenting their sound. “Oh Lord” unravels with a bluesy soul appeal, Brink’s vocals drawing out with each electric guitar note. Tracks like “Black Wedding” and “Joan of Arc” play to the band’s ability to weave catchy hooks and instrumentation into their songs. Both tracks light up like fireworks, the drum beat steadying a mid-tempo drive while Brink and the guitar rise up with energetic bursts. There’s great use of building energy in both these titles, keeping the verse sections consistently upbeat, then letting loose on the hook.
“River of Fire” takes on a mix of thick distortion and minimal electronic elements. It’s slower in terms of tempo, but comes with just as much pop as previous tracks. It doesn’t present as much of a bang as the earlier material, but still holds to some excitement. “Witching Hour” slows down things even more, playing to a laid back beat. The song is a different approach compared to previous tracks, losing out on vibrancy. The difference between this and a slower song like the “In The Air Tonight” cover, is that the latter has a unique atmosphere that is able to reach a flashy and fun high. “Witching Hour” just keeps to one standard pattern, and does nothing much of playing around with it. This issue appears more towards the end of the record, interrupting the flow of the work. “Twin Flames” comes with the same sort of mentality, but is able to build more off its hook. This is where In This Moment take one of their slower tracks, keeping their verse section subdued and seductive, while injecting the work with a lusty roar.
The thing with Ritual is that while a few songs will keep to a really fun and exciting rhythm, there comes a title that throws it off track. It is in these parts of the band’s material that miss a link that really hits the eardrum. At these times, the speed and presentation of the instrumentals and vocals become so distant, that it doesn’t give off enough substance to latch onto. However, Ritual still has enough to keep fans happy. From their loud and joyous instrumentation, to Brink’s vocal inflection that lures listeners in, In This Moment still give off a work that is different, energetic, and fun." - New Noise