Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for In This Moment - The Dream (2008)

The metalcore of Beautiful Tragedy has mostly been taken out. Fans of In This Moment's debut have one word in their mind to say about that, "sellout". However, while I'm a metalcore fan as well, I'm also a fan of this different direction the band decided to take. This is the band's pop-infused alt-metal sound at both its beginning and its best. They achieved the dream in The Dream!

As the female-fronted metal band formula rolls on, In This Moment made sure to do theirs better than other bands can. You'll have the chance to take a tour ride through Wonderland, all beginning with a descent down...

"The Rabbit Hole", a strange intro with lyrics of lavender clouds and the morning's sun birth that has just begun. From the opening riff of "Forever", I see alt-metal greatness coming! That along with soft verses and dramatic chorus what makes this song epic in the vocal and guitar department. I love this awesome song and Maria Brink might just f***ing surpass Bonnie Tyler by far. So cool! "All for You" is another rock-out track with technical riffing and keyboards fitting with the romantic lyrics. Things seem to drift a bit in "Lost at Sea" but the band lets their talents fly free so there isn't too much trouble. "Mechanical Love" masters the metallic power with heavy rhythms and siren-like singing that throw back to the 80s when there was a lot of all that.

"Her Kiss" is a ballad in the sense that it has a slower pace than the previous tracks, though there's more of a heavy gothic/sludge vibe in the instrumentation that embraces Maria's serene yet ominous and occasionally vicious voice. "Into the Light" is a more logical song to consider a ballad, as soft piano and strings accompany the voice of a fairy in solitude. A smooth uplifting break from the charging metal. Passing through is "You Always Believed" with more reflective lyrics. "The Great Divide" is an aggressive comeback to the thrashy metalcore of the band's debut with furious screams of blazing grooves. Absolutely killer!

"Violet Skies" has excellent harmonies and progressive depths with more of Maria's singing to take your breath away. The more atmospheric title closer lets you that the dream is never-ending, and you'll be back where it all began. The UK edition comes with a few bonus tracks including a killer cover of the Blondie hit "Call Me". The other two bonus tracks "A Dying Star" and "Sailing Away" which are OK, but they make me give the 5-star rating to the edition without those bonus tracks.

In This Moment have interesting tricks up their sleeve. Classic elements are blended together with modern ones for a unique kick-A approach. The Dream has all the band had ever dreamt of doing and more!

Favorites: "Forever", "All for You", "Mechanical Love", "Her Kiss", "The Great Divide", "Violet Skies", "Call Me" (Blondie cover, bonus track)