Fans of In This Moment know that there is no better way to experience the band than to see their elaborate live show. The visually stunning show was captured by filmmaker Brad Golowin for their first ever live DVD release, “Blood at the Orpheum.” The DVD is part of the “Blood-Special Edition” set which also includes an audio CD of their latest album, “Blood.”
The film was shot during a May 2013 performance at the grand and majestic Orpheum Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin, which is a perfect setting for this theatrical band. Opening scenes show the band members backstage finishing up their elaborate makeup and the strains of intros “It Is Written” and “Rise With Me” can be heard. Drummer Tom Hane is the first to take the stage and the crowd goes wild as guitarists Chris Howorth and Randy Wietzel along with bassist Travis Johnson appear. The beautiful Maria Brink is up next as the band launches into “Adrenalize” to kick off the show. The band is tight and energetic but all eyes are on the sexy and dramatic Brink as she commands the audience. In between songs, the film cuts to black and white clips of Maria explaining the meaning behind some of the songs and thanking the crew and those who make the shows possible.
The stage setup is not to be missed with plenty of lights, fog, skulls, and costume changes for Maria. One of the more interesting things is the addition of dancers adorned with white masks. Known as The Blood Girls, they act at times as statues simply appearing and at times interacting and dancing in unison with Brink throughout the concert. “Into The Light” focuses on the softer side of things with Maria sitting on a chair covered in billowy white fabric and allows us to step back for a moment and appreciate the beauty of her voice. Things pick up quickly again complete with smoke guns being shot at the audience during “The Gun Show” and Maria donning her signature dunce cap for “Whore.” Just before “Burn” there is a captivating interlude with The Blood Girls dancing behind a curtain amid a spectacle of lights. They close things out with an encore performance of “Blood” which was a great ending to a spectacular evening of music and showmanship.
Seeing In This Moment live is the best way to experience all that the band has to offer because their live performance is visually showstopping. If you can’t get to a show, this film is very nicely done and will definitely give the viewer a sense of what it is like to be there “In This Moment.”
