IN THIS MOMENT / NEW YEARS DAY / DED

It seems like I’m constantly thanking Metal Ed and Mike Karoyli of IRock Radio for tickets to some really awesome shows. The latest thank you is for the In This Moment tour stop at College Street Music Hall in New haven. As an added treat In This Moment brought along New Years Day and Arizona’s own DED for support.

DED is a nu metal band that formed in 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. The group consists of Joe Cotela (Vocals), David Ludlow (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Matt Reinhard (Drums) and Kyle Koelsch (Bass/Backing Vocals). DED released their debut record Mis• An• Thrope (Suretone Record) in 2017 to rave reviews.

They opened the show with their manic hard hitting “Architect”. This crazed song was an excellent start with dynamic vocals and driving guitar riffs. “Hate Me’ keep the energy roaring with Matt Reinhard’s pumping percussion and Koelsch’s killer bass line.  “Disassociate” pounded the crowd with a Korn influenced sonic assault. By now the throng at College Street was ingesting the fury of DED. “Remember the Enemy” kept the pulse flowing with Cotela’s strong vocals and a killer hook. After showcasing a new song , “Eyes Sewn Shut”,  from their forthcoming new album, DED went into high gear on their final two songs.  Coltela initiated an interesting audience participation on “FMFY’ (Fuck Me Fuck You) with band and fans trading off the appropriate obscenities. When DED started “Anti-Everything” , their hit off Mis• An• Thrope, the house went frantic. Ludlow’s thrashing guitar drove the song into rafters.

DED‘s seven song set was a perfect beginning to a promising night.

New Years Day continued the onslaught. New Years Day hail from Anaheim, California and are fronted by the extraordinary Ash Costello (Lead Vocals). In addition to Costello, the current band members are Nikki Misery (Guitar), Frankie Sil (Bass), Austin Ingerman (Lead Guitar) and touring member Longineu Parsons III (Drums).

New Years Day‘s first song was “Come For Me”, the first track off their new album Unbreakable (Century Media) released this year. The song is a powerful tour de force that features big vocals and thrusting instrumentation. Everything sounded like it was shot out of a howitzer. “The band powered into “Kill or Be Killed” and Ash became a whirlwind. She stalked the stage and in turn roused the rabble. The band then covered Pantera’s “Fucking Hostile” to a huge roar. “Shut Up”, Unbreakable‘s huge single, followed and Ash’s vocals were primo and the titanic thundering drums drove the song over the edge. New Years Day proceeded with “I’m About to Break You” and “Epidemic” featuring Misery’s stellar guitar on both songs. Their set closed out with a dynamic “Skeletons” and powerful “Defame Me” with it’s raucous chorus.

In This Moment is a goth metal/nu metal band based in Hollywood, Ca. Maria Brink (Vocals) and Chris Howorth (Lead Guitar) are the founding members. The current line up also includes Travis Johnson (Bass), Randy Weitzel (Guitar) and Kent Dimmel (Drums). Their latest album, Ritual (Atlantic Records), was released in 2017.

I have been to numerous concerts at College Street. I have to say that In This Moment‘s staging is by far the most intricate and labyrinthine I’ve seen to date. The decor was pure Gothic and byzantine. The spectacle started on a somber note as the refrains of “Salvation” blared through the speakers, church like and ominous. Soon the band appeared and Maria entered draped from head to toe in a white gown, face covered and adorned with a Virgin Mary halo accompanied by three black gowned, face painted disciples. Suddenly we a thrust into an broodingly menacing version of Steve Miller’s, “Fly Like An Eagle”. The song sets the dramatic tone for the entire night. Soon the white and black robes are set aside and Maria and disciples are all clad in red and In This Moment fires into “River Of Fire”. Brink is such a magical performer that the the room is transfixed. Her voice was fiery and the band’s  musicianship was monumental.

In This Moment then plowed through aggressive and brash versions of “Adrenalize” and “Natural Born Sinner”. Howorth’s angry guitar and Johnson’s bass fiercely screamed. Brink then introduced a new song , “Legacy”, slated for their upcoming record and dedicated it to all the military and veterans who have passed on. Ensuing, Maria leaves the stage and the musicians in the band take over. “Monster Jam” is a showcase for the the musical prowess of In This Moment. The playing was intensely beautiful with snippets of “Eye Of the Tiger” and “Master of Puppets” entwined within.

In This Moment‘s last three songs were powerhouses. “Big Bad Wolf” with its angst ridden rhythms and hostile electronica cranked. “Blood”‘s volatile staccato guitar and Brink’s fierce vocals had the throng crazed. The encore, “Whore”, was a masterpiece with Brink rising high above the stage and In This Moment in full stride.

If there is any chance of catching this pageantry don’t walk, run. It’s that remarkable.

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