Godmode
{{Distinguish|God mode (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Godmode
| type = studio
| artist = In This Moment
| cover = InThisMomentGodmode.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2023|10|27}}
| recorded =
| studio = Hideout Recording Studio in {{nowrap|Las Vegas, Nevada}}
| genre =
| length = 39:01
| label = BMG
| producer =
| prev_title = Mother
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Godmode
| type = studio
| single1 = I Would Die for You
| single1date = March 23, 2023
| single2 = The Purge
| single2date = July 18, 2023
| single3 = Godmode
| single3date = August 22, 2023
| single4 = Army of Me
| single4date = September 20, 2023
}}
}}
Godmode is the eighth studio album by American rock band In This Moment. The album was released on October 27, 2023, through BMG Rights Management. It is the band's first album to not be produced by Kevin Churko since Beautiful Tragedy (2007). Instead, the album was produced by Kevin's son, Kane Churko, along with Tyler Bates. The album was preceded by four singles: "I Would Die for You", "The Purge", "Godmode", and "Army of Me" (Björk cover).
Background and promotion
On January 28, 2023, it was announced that the band was entering the studio to begin recording for their upcoming eighth studio album. Maria Brink stated on Instagram, "The recording of the new ITM album is about to begin...we cannot wait for you all to hear what we are conjuring up".{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/in-this-moment-is-preparing-to-record-eighth-studio-album|title=In This Moment Is Preparing To Record Eighth Studio Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=January 29, 2023|access-date=May 28, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Alleva|url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/in-the-studio/in-this-moment-recording-their-first-album-since-2020|title=In This Moment Recording Their First Album Since 2020|work=Metal Injection|date=January 31, 2023|access-date=May 28, 2023}} On March 23, the band released the song, "I Would Die for You". The song is featured on the John Wick: Chapter 4 soundtrack, for the John Wick: Chapter 4 film.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/new-in-this-moment-song-i-would-die-for-you-featured-on-john-wick-chapter-4-original-motion-picture-soundtrack|title=New In This Moment Song 'I Would Die For You' Featured On 'John Wick: Chapter 4 - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 23, 2023|access-date=March 26, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-moments-new-john-wick-song-i-would-die-you|title=Hear In This Moment's new 'John Wick' song "I Would Die for You"|work=Revolver|date=March 23, 2023|access-date=March 26, 2023}}
On April 11, In This Moment announced "The Dark Horizons Tour" with Motionless in White. The tour starts on July 8 and will feature Fit for a King and From Ashes to New as special guests.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/motionless-in-white-and-in-this-moment-announce-the-dark-horizon-summer-2023-tour|title=Motionless in White and In This Moment Announce 'The Dark Horizon' Summer 2023 Tour|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 11, 2023|access-date=May 28, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Lauryn|last=Schaffner|url=https://loudwire.com/in-this-moment-motionless-in-white-2023-us-tour-fit-for-a-king-from-ashes-to-new/|title=In This Moment + Motionless in White Book 2023 U.S. Tour With Two Special Guests|work=Loudwire|date=April 11, 2023|access-date=May 28, 2023}} On July 8, while on "The Dark Horizons Tour" with Motionless in White, the band performed two songs, "The Purge" and "Sacrifice". The band also announced that the studio version of "The Purge" would be released on July 18.{{cite web|first=Will|last=Navidson|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-moment-debut-new-songs-sacrifice-and-purge-tour-kickoff|title=See In This Moment Debut New Songs "Sacrifice" And "The Purge" At Tour Kickoff|work=Revolver|date=July 10, 2023|access-date=July 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-in-this-moment-debuts-new-song-sacrifice-at-opening-concert-of-the-dark-horizon-tour|title=Watch: In This Moment Debuts New Songs 'Sacrifice' And 'The Purge' At Opening Concert Of 'The Dark Horizon Tour'|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=July 9, 2023|access-date=July 11, 2023}} Along with the song's release, the band announced the album itself and release date, whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list. They also announced a co-headliner tour with Ice Nine Kills, with support from Avatar and New Years Day.{{cite web|first=Emily|last=Carter|url=https://www.kerrang.com/in-this-moment-unleash-the-purge-from-new-album-godmode/|title=In This Moment unleash The Purge from new album Godmode|work=Kerrang!|date=July 18, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Rabab|last=Al-Sharif|url=https://loudwire.com/in-this-moment-purge-godmode-album-2023-tour-dates/|title=In This Moment Release New Song 'The Purge' + Announce 'Godmode' Album and 2023 Tour Dates|work=Loudwire|date=July 18, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Hesher|last=Keenan|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2023/07/18/ice-nine-kills-in-this-moment-announce-u-s-tour-with-avatar-and-new-years-day/|title=Ice Nine Kills, In This Moment Announce U.S. Tour with Avatar and New Years Day|work=MetalSucks|date=July 18, 2023|access-date=July 18, 2023}} On August 22, 2023, the band released album's title track as the second single.{{cite web|first=Jon|last=Hadusek|url=https://consequence.net/2023/08/in-this-moment-godmode-song/|title=In This Moment Unleash New Song "Godmode": Stream|work=Consequence|date=August 22, 2023|access-date=August 22, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/in-this-moment-shares-visualizer-for-title-track-of-upcoming-godmode-album|title=In This Moment Shares Visualizer For Title Track Of Upcoming 'Godmode' Album|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 22, 2023|access-date=August 22, 2023}} On September 20, the band released their cover of Björk's "Army of Me" on streaming music services as their third single.{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2023/09/19/news/in-this-moment-debut-their-cover-of-bjorks-army-of-me/|title=In This Moment Debut Their Cover Of Björk's "Army Of Me"|work=ThePRP|date=September 19, 2023|access-date=September 20, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Emily|last=Carter|url=https://www.kerrang.com/in-this-moment-release-cover-of-bjorks-army-of-me|title=In This Moment release cover of Björk's Army Of Me|work=Kerrang!|date=September 20, 2023|access-date=September 20, 2023}} The album was recorded at Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada, produced by Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch) and Tyler Bates (Jerry Cantrell and Bush).
Composition
Godmode has been described as industrial,{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Beebee|url=https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-in-this-moment-godmode|title=Album review: In This Moment – Godmode|work=Kerrang!|date=October 23, 2023|access-date=October 28, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Ian|last=Kenworthy|url=https://www.punktastic.com/album-reviews/in-this-moment-godmode/|title=In This Moment – 'Godmode'|work=Punktastic|date=October 28, 2023|access-date=October 31, 2023}}{{cite web|first=Dom|last=Lawson|url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/godmode|title=In This Moment Godmode|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=October 28, 2023}} industrial metal,{{cite web|first=Dannii|last=Leivers|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/in-this-moment-godmode-review|title=Slick, heavy and anchored by the brilliant Maria Brink, Godmode is the album that, if there's any justice in the world, will take In This Moment further than ever|work=Metal Hammer|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 28, 2023}} alternative metal, and metalcore.{{cite web|last=Meryem|url=https://www.soundmagnet.eu/in-this-moment-godmode-album-review/|title=In This Moment – Godmode – Album Review|work=Soundmagnet|date=October 28, 2023|access-date=October 30, 2023}} "The Purge" and "Godmode" "mix throbbing beats, keyboards and djent-style guitar riffs." According to Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net, [the album] expands upon the gothic and industrial influences that dominated 2020's Mother." and "[is] heavy on post-NIN industrial throb 'n' squelch, the likes of the wild and aggressive title track, "Sanctify Me" and a crushing cover of Björk's "Army of Me" are classic, hard-edged In This Moment." "Sacrifice" has "Nine Inch Nails-inspired electronics". "Skyburner" has been described as a "prog metal/dream-pop hybrid". "Everything Starts and Ends with You" is...built upon an alien electro pulse, but with a razor-sharp pop-metal chorus". "Damaged" features Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills and has been described as "cross-pollinated alt-metal". "Fate Bringer" contains an "unsettling dance rhythm". The closing track, "I Would Die for You", has been described as an "epic rock ballad". Instead of working with their long time producer, Kevin Churko, the band worked with his son, Kane Churko. According to Punktastic, "it's reasonable to assume [Kane's] youth is driving the album's relative freshness, leading to a really great piece of production. Notably the guitar tones change between soft or djenty depending on the context and feel remarkably heavy even when they're understated."
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Blabbermouth.net
| rev2 = Kerrang!
| rev3 = Metal Hammer
| rev4 = Riff
| rev5 = Rock 'N' Load
| rev6 = Soundmagnet
| rev7 = Sputnikmusic
| rev8 = Wall of Sound
}}
Godmode received generally positive reviews from critics. Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net wrote, "In every other respect, this is a strong and gently subversive piece of work. As ever, In This Moment have vast commercial potential, but there is plenty of evidence that they remain slightly too weird and unpredictable for that potential to be fully realized. For that alone, they should be loudly applauded." Kerrang! was positive about the album's sound stating, "From electronic throb and dark pop menace, Godmode persistently creates new textures that nevertheless resolve in ways that will get heads nodding and hands raised at the band's uniquely theatrical live shows." Metal Hammer gave the album a positive review and stated that "Anyone who's been paying attention knows that, for some time, In This Moment have had the live show and back catalogue to grant them access to metal's top tier. If there's any justice in the world, Godmode will be the album that finally sees them break down the door."
Mike DeWald of Riff wrote, "At its core, the eighth album from SoCal rockers In This Moment is the natural extension of a sound the band has been cultivating for years." Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "All in all, Godmode is a frantically beautiful collection of songs, a perfect change of pace and direction if you need a pallet cleanser. If you haven't delved into the world of In This Moment, this could just be the perfect time to get your hands dirty." Simon K. of Sputnikmusic wrote that they were surprised by Godmode:"[it's] their best album since Blood...The band's experimentation with atmosphere comes into fruition on Godmode, and uses their old, heavier style in the process...it's certainly a step in the right direction...If you're a fan of the band's older sound but didn't gel with what they've been doing since 2014, give this a go." Wall of Sound wrote, "This album is excellent, especially if you want something different in the heavy music world."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Godmode track listing
| title1 = Godmode
| writer1 = {{hlist|Maria Brink|Chris Howorth|Kane Churko}}
| length1 = 4:00
| title2 = The Purge
| writer2 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko|Randy Weitzel}}
| length2 = 3:59
| title3 = Army of Me
| note3 = Björk cover
| writer3 = {{hlist|Björk Guðmundsdóttir|Graham Massey}}
| length3 = 3:10
| title4 = Sacrifice
| length4 = 4:22
| writer4 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko}}
| title5 = Skyburner
| writer5 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko}}
| length5 = 3:53
| title6 = Sanctify Me
| writer6 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko|Weitzel|Travis Johnson}}
| length6 = 4:11
| title7 = Everything Starts and Ends with You
| writer7 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko|Tyler Bates}}
| length7 = 3:33
| title8 = Damaged
| note8 = featuring Spencer Charnas
| writer8 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko}}
| length8 = 3:24
| title9 = Fate Bringer
| length9 = 3:53
| writer9 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Churko|Bates}}
| title10 = I Would Die for You
| writer10 = {{hlist|Brink|Howorth|Bates}}
| length10 = 4:36
| total_length = 39:01
}}
Personnel
In This Moment
- Maria Brink – lead vocals, piano
- Chris Howorth – lead guitar, backing vocals, programming
- Randy Weitzel – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Travis Johnson – bass, backing vocals
- Kent Diimmel – drums
Additional musicians
- Spencer Charnas – guest vocals on track 8
Additional personnel
- Kane Churko – production, engineering, mixing
- Tyler Bates – production
Charts
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Chart performance for Godmode ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
{{album chart|Scotland|66|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |
{{album chart|Switzerland|78|artist=In This Moment|album=Godmode|rowheader=true|access-date=November 5, 2023}} |
{{album chart|UKDigital|14|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |
{{album chart|UKIndependent|21|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |
{{album chart|UKRock|8|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{In This Moment}}
{{Authority control}}