Ritual (In This Moment album)

In February 2016, after a year and a half of touring for their previous album Black Widow, the band posted on social media a short video that hinted the recording of a new album. In a video interview, lead vocalist Maria Brink stated that she had already come up with a theme for the next record. The theme of the album is mostly inspired by Brink's visit to Salem, Massachusetts, with the women in her family in the fall of 2016. She said, "I was trying to find a lot of truth in myself. I loved Salem. I was blown away by how visually beautiful it is. The history of the witch burnings is fascinating. It was a special ceremonial journey."[6] The album title refers to looking at different religions and spiritualities of the world. Lead guitarist Chris Howorth explained that Brink is "a very spiritual person, she's not necessarily religious like going to church religious but she's also not into all this witchcraft stuff, she kinda likes it all and believes openly. That's why its touching all these different topics of religion and stuff."[7]

In an interview on April 10, 2017, Howorth said the sound of the Ritual has more serious themes, "Stylistically, I think we went a little bit more raw, you know—like, not so much campiness like 'Sex Metal Barbie.'"[8] Brink says the record is less sexualized than the band's previous efforts, saying, "I wanted to show people and definitely women a different side of strength in me that was a really powerful force in me that didn't need the sexual part, so there's definitely a more serious overtone...a more serious deeper side of us."[9] Sonically, the electronic elements found in the previous two albums, typical of industrial metal are less prominent with a greater presence of guitars.[10] Though the album has dark aspects, there is also a positive message inspired by Brink's spiritual learning and experiences. Brink's love for Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" decided the band's cover on the album, which the band has attempted in the past.[11] The writing and recording process for the album took four to five months. This time around, songs were written with the live show in mind, whereas in the past it was created after the album was completed. The band's main songwriters—Brink, Howorth, and Kevin Churko collaborated with other writers from outside their usual lyric-pool to expand the influences, such as Scott Stevens and Dave Bassett, as was recommended by the label.[12] Genre-wise, the album is observed by reviewers to be alternative metal,[13] hard rock,[14] pop rock,[14] and industrial metal.[15] The album utilizes elements of pop,[14] electronic,[14] industrial,[16] blues,[17] alternative,[17] and classic rock.[17]

• Maria Brink – vocals
• Chris Howorth – guitar
• Randy Weitzel – guitar
• Kent Diimmell – drums
• Travis Johnson – bass

• Rob Halford – guest vocals on "Black Wedding"
• Scott Stevens – piano on "Black Wedding"

• Kevin Churko – production, mixing, mastering, engineering
• Tristan Hardin – additional engineering
• Josh Connolly – additional engineering
• Khloe Churko – studio management and coordination
• Randy Weitzel – pre-production

• Virgilio Tzaj – art direction, design
• Jason Blake – photography