"A Star-Crossed Wasteland"

In This Moment's third album, A Star-Crossed Wasteland, reaffirms what fans have long known - ITM is a force to be reckoned with on the metal scene. With previous albums Beautiful Tragedy and The Dream, the band carved a place for itself in metal's hallowed halls; with their third album, they step into that place and scream a defiant challenge to anyone who would dare suggest they don't belong there. This challenge comes in the form of opening track (and first single), "The Gun Show".

This album carries the idea of an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic wild west, with the title and them inspired by Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series (Noisecreep). It comes as a sort of middle ground between the previous album - heavy and driven like Beautiful Tragedy, but with melodic qualities more evident in The Dream. Whereas songs like "Gunshow" demonstrate the power of singer Maria Brink's screams, it's balanced out by the tender ballad "World in Flames". Songs like "The Promise" (featuring Adrian Patrick of Otherwise) create an interesting balance, showing a pain that wasn't seen as much on The Dream. Then there's "The Last Cowboy," which definitely - to me - epitomizes the albums themes. And no, not just because it's about a cowboy. These songs represent the vast lengths to with A Star-Crossed Wasteland takes its listeners, and I'm once again impressed by In This Moment's ability to not only stand out but surpass others and themselves with everything they do.

More to come with my thoughts on In This Moment following Mayhem Festival. In the meantime, grab the album. It's more than worth it.

Mari
xoxo

marissa.billiet@hotmail.com
(704)-868-6274