Mother (In This Moment album)

''Mother'' is the seventh studio album by American rock band In This Moment. It was released on March 27, 2020, by Atlantic Records and Roadrunner Records and was produced by Kevin Churko and Kane Churko.

Background and recording

On October 14, 2018, Chris Howorth posted a photo on his Instagram page stating that the band was working on their seventh album. On November 12, a short video with flickering and revolving text bearing the word "Mother" was uploaded to the band's official Instagram.

On February 17, 2019, Maria Brink posted a short video of herself heading to The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas. A few days later, on February 24, Brink posted another video of the band working in the studio. Recording for the album was completed by the spring of 2019.

Release and promotion

A headlining spring tour was kicked off on May 3, 2019, with a brand-new show which ties into the theme of the new record, "Mother", tentatively scheduled for release in fall 2019. On March 25, Disturbed announced a summer tour, with In This Moment to open for the second half of the tour. The tour also saw the premiere of three songs from the upcoming album including "Legacy" and "As Above, So Below". Throughout the Fall of 2019, the band embarked on a headlining tour through North America titled ''"Mother's House of Horror: A Traveling All Hallows Eve Masquerade"'' with Motionless in White, New Years Day, and Ded.

On September 15, the band announced that their new single "The In-Between" would be released on October 31 on Twitter. However, on November 1, they told fans on their Instagram that the release would be postponed until early 2020.

On November 12, another post on Instagram announced that March, 2020, will initiate a new tour, titled ''"The In-Between Tour"'' appearing together with Black Veil Brides, Ded, and Raven Black. The tour will be accompanied with the new album ''Mother''.

In early January 2020, In This Moment posted several teasers, images and clips related to the then-upcoming album, ''Mother'', on their official Instagram. On January 20, In This Moment posted a video clip for "The In-Between" with a caption reading "Wednesday the unveiling will be upon us". On January 21, the band pinned a post to their official Facebook page a link to a countdown timer on YouTube with the launch of "The In-Between" music video.

"The In-Between" music video, directed by Maria Brink and Robert Kley and edited by Maria Brink and Randy Weitzel, premiered on YouTube January 22, 2020 and generated over one million views in less than a week. Also on January 22, the band officially announced that their upcoming seventh studio album titled ''Mother'' is set for release on March 27, 2020. The official album art and track listing has been also released. On February 21, the band released the second single of the album titled "Hunting Grounds" featuring Joe Cotela of Ded. On March 19, a week before the album release, the band released their third single "As Above, So Below".

Critical reception

The album received mostly positive reviews, but also mixed reviews from several critics. Carlos Zelaya from ''Dead Press!'' rated the album negatively calling it: "''Mother'' is a record that will no doubt satisfy plenty of In This Moment's fanbase, but will unfortunately do absolutely nothing to win anyone else over." ''Distorted Sound'' scored the album 9 out of 10 and said: "''Mother'' is an immersive experience that leaves you feeling out-of-body, it's crafty in how it executes its concepts and does not hold back both vocally and instrumentally. Arguably one of IN THIS MOMENT's best albums to date." ''Kerrang!'' gave the album 4 out of 5 with writer Steve Beebee stating: "The only thing certain about In This Moment is that nothing is ever certain. Just like their mesmerising live shows, their music defies prediction and is all the more gripping for it. Thus, aside from 'Lay Me Down's instant rush, ''Mother'' moves away from the bewitching, gospel-tinged rock of 2017's ''Ritual''. Gushing rivers of guitar combine with electronics and strange musical patterns that take time to coalesce, but when they do it's clear that Maria Brink's unique band have scored another win, brilliantly balancing ''Mother''s fire and ice. The pyrotechnic cover of Queen's 'We Will Rock You', featuring Lzzy Hale and Taylor Momsen, contrasts beautifully with 'Legacy's emotive lilt, while 'As Above, So Below' is sharp-fanged with irony and angst. It ends with an eerie interpretation of Mazzy Star's 'Into Dust', with lingering notes of darkness that will make you want to hit repeat and fall in love with it over and over again." ''New Noise'' praised the album saying, "''Mother'' feels like a poignant testament to the energy that brings people together. Throughout 2020, as live music experiences on all scales remain in jeopardy, the album's feel takes on an even more special significance."

Commercial performance

''Mother'' debuted at number 34 on the US ''Billboard'' 200, selling 13,600 copies in its first week.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Mother''.

In This Moment

* Maria Brink
* Randy Weitzel
* Kent Diimmel
* Travis Johnson
* Christopher Howorth

Additional musicians

* Lzzy Hale – guest vocals on "We Will Rock You"
* Taylor Momsen – guest vocals on "We Will Rock You"
* Joe Cotela of Ded – guest vocals on "Hunting Grounds"
* Laurie Barber – additional vocals on "Mother"
* Rita Brink – additional vocals on "Mother"

Technical

* Kevin Churko – production, engineering, mixing, mastering
* Kane Churko – production, engineering
* Tristan Hardin – additional engineering, Pro Tools editing
* Randy Weitzel – additional engineering, Pro Tools editing
* Kevin Sankel – additional engineering
* Jim Carroll – engineering assistance
* Jonathan Wyman – vocal recording

Artwork

* Virgilio Tzaj – art direction, design
* Brooke Shaden – cover image, booklet images
* Jeremy Saffer – booklet images

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Notes

References

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2020 albums
Albums produced by Kevin Churko
Atlantic Records albums
In This Moment albums
Roadrunner Records albums