In This Moment

LA Show 10/18 was just aweful. It was so disconnected and uninspiring that Maria kept begging the crowd to cheer. Please allow me to elaborate. I went way out of my way to see this show, as ITM is in the top 5 on my playlist, and has been for several years. I'm a big fan of this type of music and between ITM and Lacuna Coil (a fantastic rock show btw), I'm not easily turned off by a performance as long as the band does their best. I very rarely write reviews about anything at all, but I feel the need to do so for this show as it might help someone not waste time and money as I did, and also I suppose there is a glimmer of hope that the band will read it and make some adjustments to the show. Also, I couldn't find any specific reviews about what to expect from the opening acts. First opening act was Avatar, and although I've never heard of them, they really really put everything into that show. The crowd really got into it and gave the band a lot of feedback (lots more cheering for Avatar than for ITM). Despite the stupid costumes and shameless self-promoting and boring "AVATAR" lighting, these guys are great stage musicians and I spent some time on Wikipedia learning about them; a great opening act by some solid musicians. Next was Of Mice and Men. They were good, although less polished than Avatar. OMM put on a solid show and seemed comfortable on stage and the crowd really responded...just solid rock and roll/metal with no frills but plenty of cheering by the crowd, plenty of headbanging, and even a legit mosh pit! Finally ITM took the stage amid the loudest cheering of the night, which unfortunately means it was all downhill from there as the crowd would not be cheering like that again without Maria demanding it. Without belaboring every little detail, the stage was jam packed with crap to produce smoke and fans to blow Maria's silly costumes around. Stage hands snuck up repeatedly to adjust the fans so her costumes would blow around as much as possible. There was even a tent so she could change...again...and again...and again... and again. It was like watching a bad broadway production as we all just waited between songs for her to change. I think we came for the music, but mostly we got costume changes and ridiculous wind levels on the stage. If I were in that band I would be angry and embarrassed that it has turned into NOTHING but the Maria Brink show. And this would be fine, as she is one of the best rock/metal singers of all time, or at least she used to be. Every lyric of the night was slurred and labored like she was drunk. I felt like I was witnessing the downfall of Courtney Love in "The People vs Larry Flint" if you are old enough to remember that. I mean I couldn't believe this was the same singer that recorded these records, and I hope she's not strung out but it really sounded bad and I stayed because I was hoping she would snap out of it and take that crap costume off and just let it rip like Phil Anselmo, but alas it was like I imagine a Madonna show after she took a whole bottle of Nyquil. If this is the "act" it's a huge mistake. Comparing this show to how their shows used to be was a lot like watching a beautiful friend get way too much plastic surgery; you're sad at their poor self-centered decision but you can't say anything because they look in the mirror and like what they see. Anyway the crowd just stood there! Hardly any dancing, jumping, headbanging, and certainly no "pit." Just people standing in General Admission. Mostly looking bored. The Balcony crowd was sitting the whole time and absolutely looked bored. I was on the balcony so I could see the whole venue. Between 2 and 10 people stood on the balcony, depending on the song. But 200-300 people were just sitting the entire time as Maria and slow not-so-sexy semi-southern drawl and poorly choreographed dance moves sucked the energy out of the room between show-stopping costume changes. Further, every time she addressed the crowd to a steady but low murmur of cheers she kept putting her hands up to get the crowd to get louder, which they did, but not like before ITM started, and not like for the opening bands. I thought it was ridiculous for her to demand that the crowd cheer for her. At one point, Maria introduced the band as though they needed no introduction, and I say they don't need an introduction as they should already be known to anyone going to this show, so it just seemed self-serving and a waste of time, and then she said, "And.............. I............. am......................[wait for it] ........... MARIA........[wait for it].....BRINK!" Which pretty much sums up the only reason I can think that this show would suck so much. She's either drunk out of her mind, high as a kite (downers not uppers), or has completely lost touch with reality and has no independent professional guidance for how to put on a show, and I don't know which is worse although I'm hoping for the last option of course. I'm really not trying to insult Maria. She is a talent beyond compare, and a warrior, and a fighter, and a survivor. But she's also selling us a product which has so obviously become ill-guided, obnoxious, and poorly executed, and the rest of the band apparently just stands in the corners like semi-hidden semi-present musicians at a Broadway play. I stayed for the whole show, frustratedly hoping for just one song where she wasn't singing with this newly developed slurred drawl and fake passion, or address the crowd with her real voice not with that fake on-stage announcer circus conductor voice, but it didn't happen. Drove home (2 hours) pissed off. Don't do the same. I hope she turns it around.

Man oh man what can I say about In This Moment, how about that they are so awesome.

Their music sort of remind me of a female version of Marilyn Manson. The singer was so interactive with the crowd. I think it was the most interaction with a crowd I have ever seen and I can say I very happy with it.

I had to make a long drive to be able to see them but boy can I say it was worth it. The venue for the concert was great and really helped the atmosphere because the crowd was digging everything about the concert.

I for one am going to be going back the next time In This Moment comes near me again. Since that show nothing can really compare with it and I've been to another ten shows.

I can confidently say that if you have not heard their music you are in for a real treat. Go check out a CD or download a couple songs. If they come to an area near you, you have to go and give them a listen. If there is nothing near you go check out some of their live songs because you will want the atmosphere they bring.

IN THIS MOMENT WAS AMAZING holy f@@k let me tell you so much energy, the theatrics,the smoke,lights these guys put on a show !!!! Did I mention that Maria brink is way HOT AS WELL ? Yeah that doesn't suck oh but she's also got phenomenal range and pipes the band are so BADASS with all the masks and just brutally in yiur face style in my opinion they should have been
The headliners halestorm was awesome as well but they played alot of new stuff and some really soft stuff it just didn't feel like a real halestorm show I've seen them 5 times and this one was kind of a let down compared to the other times I've seen them good but not great !! In this moment was AWESOME !!!! new years day wasn't Terrible either did I mention there lead singer was also very easy in the eyes as well ? My favorite part of the show was when the singer of new years day did a duet with Maria from in this moment not sure of the song they did but it was really good Def worth the money if there in your neck of the
Woods

Even being out in the cold super early had its perks, hearing practice sessions and tests blasting from the walls as a few of us sang along to big bad wolf :] ... for me there were only two bad parts to the night. one: the wait outside in the cold. two: drunk people/idiots moshing and getting out of control so people were hurt or scared. other than those, the fans were brilliantly friendly and our main event was what everyone hoped for and more. Maria Brink truly included the fans, thanking us and even professing her love for our support and bowing down. Though Truthfully we should be the ones bowing, it is fantastic to see artists return the love that fans have,as none could exist without the other.The trademark costume changes were made and the blood female dancers were included throughout. A brilliant performance with band and audience enjoying every lyric of every song.

Maria Brink and the rest of her amazing band and crew were amazing. Ive been waiting what seemed like my whole life to see In This Moment in concert, and believe me, the did not disappoint. Maria and her girls just did amazing, because not only did we get to hear amazing music, its like we got to see a live play. Each one of the band members had amazing solos, they also did not disapppint. I cant wait to see her again in a few more weeks. My only downside is that I did not get a shirt, which I desperatly wanted, at the time I was little hurried by by the staff and other people at the show that I never did find where the merch was. All in all, great show. I know I was hoping that during whore Chris Motionless would come out as part of the show since he was there, but still put an an amazing performance. Thanks In This Moment for being amazing!!

I wouldn't call myself a huge fan, but my friends are and I like about five songs total. But of course, I did my due diligence and listened to all of their albums to familiarize myself before the show. I think there were only two songs I didn't know, so that was awesome. The visuals were great. Maria was gorgeous as always. I had a lot of fun with my friends. However, it has to be said that Maria was painfully off key MOST of the show. The screaming was good, but the singing was so very bad. The audience sang Whore by themselves. It seemed like she couldn't be bothered with trying. Also, the whole show was most of the new album. I think there were only 3 songs from their previous works. I will continue to listen to recordings, because this band definitely has a noteworthy style and sound, but I will never waste the money again. What a shame.

Maria Brink is one of the hardest working women in the music industry! I was introduced to them about 3 years ago and fell in love with her sound! The next years she came to Dallas not 1 not 2 but 3 times, most bands come maybe 1 time a year! I saw all the concerts and they were beyond anything I'd ever seen in my sheltered life, absolutely amazing and she is breathtaking, I could not imagine her concerts being anything other than unbelievably of the chain! She tours all year long it seems like! For those who gave her a bad rap, maybe it was a bad day for her, we are not the only ones who have off days! Give her a chance to redeem herself! Shes been my major woman crush since the very 1st time I saw her! Shes simply the baddest woman in rock no doubt about it!

Wasnt able to catch the san antonio show but did see the dallas show the next night, all 3 acts were amazing, seen both in this moment and halestorm last year and they were great then, at the time chris wasn't at the show and randy handled the guitar work and he did an amazing job, this time around chris was there and they rocked our asses off,it was a great turn out, fans of all ages and everyone was there to have a good time and got exactly that, if at all possible catch these 2 bands together, its how live shows were meant to be heard, louder, harder and to perfection, and no they are lip syncing they are that fucking good 5stars all day long

Drink prices, even for water and pop ($5) were ridiculous
Had to walk thru crowded patio of smokers to get to entrance.
Place was fancy but on closer look, near restrooms, it looked like they were still renovating areas.
Sound and lighting were great.
Restrooms pretty clean.
Stage area floor was packed and mosh pit got out of hand and was safety issue. Could not observe any security people handling any problems,
Wasn’t impressed with opening bands but IN THIS MOMENT WAS GREAT.
Floor appeared way too crowded during ITM playing.

Sounds negative but most of problems were not big problems.
Staff was efficient and polite.

As always, Maria Brink and her crew of maniacs kicked ass at the last show of the tour at the Sunset HOB. Maria always has such great energy on stage and the band sounded tight and powerful as they blasted through their setlist.

Their new music has been both received well and rejected by their old fans as the sound has a more industrial metal feel to it, but Kevin Churko and Chris Howorth have crafted a very good album-just don't listen to it expecting to hear the In This Moment of 1997.

All in all, I really enjoyed the show and had a great time enjoying the music, the energy and the spectacle that is the Black Widow show.