After the success of their 2012 album Blood and a headline tour, In This Moment announced that they were returning to the studio at the end February 2014 to begin working on a follow-up. Lead guitarist Chris Howorth told Billboard that they were again teaming up with longtime collaborator Kevin Churko, who has produced the band's previous records, and that the sound would continue with the same style as Blood. On their new evolved sound he remarked, "We feel like we found something and want to stick the flag in the ground on top of that hill." It was reported on February 5 that the band had signed with Atlantic Records. Frontwoman Maria Brink said of the new deal, "We are very excited to be releasing this album through Atlantic Records, who have put out some of the greatest and most revered albums of all time."
Release and promotion
It was revealed on September 6, 2014, through the band's social media pages that new album details would be announced the following week. A redesign of the band's logo featured an image of a black widow, in line with the new album. On September 8, the first single, "Sick Like Me", premiered on Sirius Satellite Radio and was released to iTunes at midnight. The album's title was announced along with a headlining tour, which began in late October. Brink revealed the title is a metaphor for positive and negative life experiences and turning weaknesses into strength. She says, "This innocent young girl who gets infected with life, traumas, experiences, and the balance of light and darkness. She becomes this poised and powerful creature." The album was made available for pre-order on iTunes on October 14, 2014, while the second single, "Big Bad Wolf", was released on October 21. Leaving little time in between, "Bloody Creature Poster Girl" was released as the next promotional single on October 27, followed by the final pre-release single, "Sex Metal Barbie", on November 4.
Tours and performances
To support the release, the band performed at Knotfest on October 25, 2014, before headlining the Black Widow Tour, which kicked off on October 26, 2014 and concluded on December 14, 2014 with Starset, Twelve Foot Ninja, and 3 Pill Morning as the opening acts. The Black Widow shows presented a more elaborate stage show with each song featuring a new set, props, and choreography. According to Brink, the stage show is to bring the songs to life. Throughout 2015, the headline tour resumed in Europe and the United States, followed by supporting slots for Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch and Godsmack. On March 16, 2016, Drummer Tom Hane announced his departure from the band, citing creative and artistic unhappiness. The band replaced Hane with Kent Diimmel, the drummer from 3 by Design. On June 18, 2016, the band kicked off The Hellpop 2016 Tour with openers Hellyeah, Sunflower Undead, and Shaman's Harvest before joining Rob Zombie and Korn for their summer tour. A second outing in Europe and the UK was scheduled to begin on January 10, 2016 in France. Due to health problems concerning the band members, the tour was postponed and later cancelled. Guitarist Howorth announced that he was being treated for a neck injury due to years of headbanging on stage. Howorth later revealed that the treatment led to painkiller addictions, which he overcame.
Commercial performance
Black Widow debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 36,000 copies, marking the band's highest chart entry. By June 2015, the album had sold 120,000 copies.
Track listing
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Black Widow.
Kevin Churko – production, recording, mixing, mastering
Kane Churko – additional engineering, programming, editing
