Review IN THIS MOMENT “Witch”

One of the few predictable things about In This Moment is the band’s unpredictability. That applies not only to their highly entertaining live shows, which offer far more than a display of musical creativity, but also to the way they approach their art as a whole. In This Moment have always stood for a more immersive concept, where music and theatrical performance meet to create something that goes beyond a traditional rock show.

Now, Witch, the band’s ninth studio album, is making its way into record stores, and there is plenty to discover. Fans got an early taste of what was coming in the summer of 2025, when In This Moment released “Heretic.” Featuring a guest appearance by Australian musician Kim Dracula, the song served as the first glimpse of the new album and was followed by two more lead singles, although their releases came much closer to the album’s arrival.

What “Heretic,” “Sleeping With the Enemy,” and “Crawl” have in common is their dark, pulsing character. These are not songs built around bright or carefree moments. The album’s pounding beats create an underlying sense of unease, while tracks such as “Sleeping With the Enemy” also benefit from a powerful production that gives the songs plenty of weight. They hit the speakers with real force, giving Witch a solid punch without sacrificing the atmosphere.

“Shame” opens the album with atmospheric sounds that initially suggest a more restrained direction. It does not take long, however, to realize that this is not where Witch is headed. By the time Maria Brink unleashes her bone-rattling screams, it becomes clear that desperation and anger are among the album’s driving emotions. But that is only one side of the story. Running through the record is also a sense of duality – the struggle to move through those darker emotions and ultimately find inner strength.

The atmospheric side of the band returns with the quiet and almost hypnotic “Into the Dark.” It provides an emotionally intense moment of calm and reflects the album’s central duality particularly well. Rather than simply breaking up the heavier material, the track adds another layer to the emotional arc of Witch.

One of the album’s most notable—and certainly boldest—moments is its cover version of a Pink Floyd classic. Taking on a song like “Another Brick in the Wall” requires a certain amount of confidence, and In This Moment clearly have no problem stepping into that territory. Their dark, electro-infused interpretation works on its own terms, even if it does not quite reach the same heights as the original.

Witch is an album that takes some time to reveal itself. It is emotionally charged, and its music adds considerable weight to the feelings at its core. Fans of In This Moment will find plenty to embrace here. The album pulses with a combination of modern rock, metal, and electronic elements, creating an emotional landscape that can be both compelling and unsettling.

In This Moment have never been a band interested in playing it safe, and Witch is another reminder of that. It is dark, theatrical, heavy, and emotionally intense, while still leaving enough room for the band’s more atmospheric side. It may take a few listens to fully sink in—but once it does, Witch makes its presence felt.