In This Moment – GODMODE (Album Review)

In This Moment – GODMODE
Released: October 27th, 2023  

Podcasts aren’t necessarily my vibe; I struggle to focus on them, and I am certainly not into the motivational type many people are. I do listen to a couple, though – unsurprisingly, three are music-themed, and the other is nerd fandom. One of the music pods looks at songs that shaped the nineties, and it’s one of my favourite things to consume. The host is hilarious, and his writing style reminds me of mine – albeit much better because he’s been a music journo since the late nineties. Early on in the series, he wanted to make a point of not calling femme vocalists/band members “badass”, and as a femme myself – I loved that. Even though it’s not a term I would use often, I have also banned it in my writing.

Not using the phrase ‘badass’ does make my job a little more challenging with this review, though, because In This Moment’s frontwoman Maria Brink, would fit under this description. Maria, who has become a “mother” figure to the band’s fans, is part fierce, part ethereal and all rad. In This Moment has just dropped their eighth studio album, GODMODE, and we’re going to take a look at it. 

The band have released three singles off the album, and they get the album started with the title track, ‘GODMODE’ setting the tone for what is to come. The song begins with menacing synths and moves into whispers that contain huge amounts of venom in delivery. The lyrics match the song well, giving the image of someone who’s done with your shit and cutting you out. By the time we get to the chorus, it’s clear that God mode is correct – because that’s how you feel, like a god who will smite anyone who wrongs you. 

Next up is ‘The Purge’ – inspired by the band’s personal experiences during the pandemic and the daily unrest dividing society at that time. The song is an outlet for Maria’s pent-up frustration and angst, and this is heard clearly through the song. While written back during the pandemic, the world hasn’t gotten any better, and the last line of the chorus, “Maybe we’re all just parasites”, is still sadly poignant. The third song of the trio of banger singles is ‘Army of Me’ –  a cover of Bjork’s 1995 industrial classic, and I love what they have done with this song. Bjork is such a musical genius that taking on a cover of one of her songs is not for the faint-hearted, but In This Moment is up to the task. They keep to the song’s origins while still making it even harder-hitting and grudgier. 

The next run of songs follows similarly, with ‘Sacrifice’ giving us a boppier, dancey time. The chorus has incredible, cinematic, vast instrumentals, and we get to hear another style of vocals from Maria. ‘Skyburner’ is a slower moment with a beautiful, soaring chorus and incredible harmonies. And the drums and guitars really stand out in this song! ‘Sanctify’ is full of rad guitar riffs from Chris Howorth and some of the best drumming across the album from Kent Diimmel – which is saying something because it’s excellent throughout.

A fantastic moment on the album is ‘Damaged’, featuring none other than Ice Nine Kills‘ Spencer Charnas and what a perfect collaboration! This song is a huge highlight, and the sound is bigger than some of the quieter, slinkier songs on the album. Spencer brings his classic horror storytelling vibe, which, coupled with the instrumentals, gives a spooky, cinematic song that feels like a movie. 

Finishing out the album is ‘Fatebringer’, which is one of my favourites on the album – full of chugging instruments and incredible vocals that fluctuate from emotive screams to slinky, sexy cleans. This song is so fun, and I can’t help but groove. The album ends with the huge ‘I Would Die For You’ which finishes such an incredible body of work so well. This song is the perfect album closer, and I can imagine it would be amazing live. 

This album is excellent, especially if you want something different in the heavy music world. In This Moment isn’t just a band that plays songs – they PERFORM them and live and breathe them. You can see this in their film clips and what I have seen of the live shows. The songs are an embodiment of Maria and the rest of the band, and they give their everything to bring this art into the world. The other thing I thought while listening to this album is that I have been reading a lot of fantasy smut, and it would be the perfect reading soundtrack, which is a huge compliment. Will this be an album on my regular rotation? I’m unsure, but ‘Army of Me’ is already in my On Repeat playlist, and I can see ‘Fatebringer’ getting up there very soon.

In saying that, I am keen to keep listening to it, and when they come to Australia, I will be seeing them because I know it’s a show that no one should miss.

In This Moment – GODMODE tracklisting

1. Godmode
2. The Purge
3. Army Of Me
4. Sacrifice
5. Skyburner
6. Sanctify Me
7. Everything Starts And Ends With You
8. Damaged (Feat. Spencer Charnas)
9. Fate Bringer
10. I Would Die For You

Rating: 8/10 
GODMODE is out now. Stream here
Review by Cait Macca @caitastrophe_x