Now Is In This Moment’s Time
In This Moment
By Seth M
In This Moment closed out 2013 as probably their most successful year to date ~ but that didn’t stop them from rolling full steam ahead into 2014 where they continued their HellPop tour with Butcher Babies, Devour The Day, All Hail The Yeti, and Before The Mourning. I was able to catch the show when they made a stop at the Paramount in Huntington, NY, where they’d played before ~ the last time was as the opening slot for a sold out Stone Sour show.
This was a full evening of music, kicking off early with a short set from Before The Mourning. Although I missed Morning and All Hail The Yeti, some friends mentioned the early crowd was excited to see both these bands and both put on a great show. I made it in time to catch some of Devour The Day, whom I originally heard was playing before ITM and was looking forward to catching for the first time; apparently, though, they’d switched slots with the Butcher Babies this evening. For the portion of their set that I saw, Devour was high energy and encouraging the young crowd to get moving and feel the music.
Butcher Babies
Up next were Butcher Babies, with two of the hottest women in metal: Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey. It’s obvious that they have a huge following of younger women who look up to them and quite possibly aspire to be next women of metal, following in the sexy musicians’ footsteps. I hung out for a party after the show (a delayed birthday celebration for Maria Brinks) and I have to say, Heidi and Carla don’t only go out there and give it their all on stage but they are also two down to earth, great people and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with them. I should note that there was no rock star mentality or egos amongst any of the members of any of the HellPop bands. They obviously all get along with each other as well as with the friends and fans of their tour mates.
Butcher Babies rocked the crowd and finished out a 10 song set list, then spent the rest of the evening at the merch booth taking pictures, signing autographs and enjoying spending time with metal fans…but then it was time for the headliners.
Although ITM’s physical set looks the same as at previous shows, the band now has a longer musical set and the entire HellPop tour is obviously concentrating on the more theatrical. The show opened with a fog covered, dark stage and dancers appeared on both sides of the podium in which Miss Brinks stands. “Rise with Me” started things off and also brought the crowd’s energy right back up to where the Babies left it. The dancers flanked Maria throughout the show, adding to the theatrics for which In This Moment have now become well known. ITM played a mix of older tracks and tracks off their last release, Blood, and closed out their set with “Whore” before returning to the stage for an encore.
Rise with Me
Closer (Nine Inch Nails cover) Drum Solo
Encore:
It’s evident that even with the “show,” the music is still the underlying focus. The band ~ made up of Tom Hane (drums), Chris Howorth (lead guitar), Travis Johnson (bass), Randy Wietzel (rhythm guitar) and of course Maria Brink ~ aren’t relying on just the visuals and a female lead singer; this band can certainly come out and rock with the best of them. And for those who still have any doubts, take note: In This Moment, who have just returned to the studio and are recording their next album, were just days ago signed to a deal with Atlantic.
For information on the new album, shows, merchandise and more: inthismomentofficial.com.
