Review Summary: ITM's True Beginning
The true beginning to In This Moment...
Beautiful Tragedy certainly had a few moments of greatness; just enough for me to purchase The Dream. I'm an unusual metal fan, because I sincerely do look for not only the intensity and heaviness, but it has to have a hook to draw me in. That's why black metal will never be a part of my musical repertoire. The biggest part of the success is the DRASTIC improvement in Maria Brink's vocal work, and really the production and cohesiveness of the music. I don't review intro tracks, but, here we go.
Forever (5/5): Boy, was I surprised here. You get a taste of the poppiness in Maria's vocals in the title track of Beautiful Tragedy, but, I knew while listening to this track this was to be a great album. I love the guitar work here. It has melody, energy, and a certain catchiness to it. Metal doesn't always have to be dark and doldrummy all the time. And it's a great chorus. Lyrically simple with "forever starts today...", but I can not only headbang a bit, but sing along as well, and feel happy about it.
All For You (4/5): More or less the same, just less effective to me. That's not to say it isn't a very good track, because it is. But, it didn't have the magic of Forever. Well worth the listen though.
Lost at sea (3.5/5): A good track. The riffage in the chorus is great, and it's catchy, but the verses didn't do a hell of a lot for me. But the thing I notice the most, again, is the improvement in Maria's vocals. It's cleaner, and a lot less tight.
Mechanical Love (2.5/5): Filler to me. Not bad, very listenable, but, filler.
Her Kiss (3/5): Same deal. If you're listening to the album from front to back, I don't see you anxiously skipping to the next track because your ears are being assailed by bad music, but, generic really.
Into the Light (4.5/5): Wow. She had her try at a ballad on Beautiful Tragedy with When the Storm Subsides, but this is an amazing vocal performance. I can feel her heart and soul in this. Really, Maria's best vocal performance so far, and it shows really how different she is from others in the business such as Cristina Scabbia. Overlaying a sensitive piano melody, Maria's vocals really shine here. A must-listen.
You Always Believed (2.5/5): No killer, but filler.
The Great Divide (5/5): The defining moment for not only Maria, but the rest of the band as everything fits into place, and it defines what the band is all about. Maria's screams are on FULL effect here. Just an amazing song, and probably the only true METAL song on the album. If there's any reason to check out this album, it's for this song. Amazing, and one of my all-time favorites.
Violet Skies (3/5): Filler, but good filler.
The Dream (4/5): A somber, but nice ending.
