September 13th, 2014 - Blood Red Nectar

Good evening and hails!  The Meista here seeing crimson tonight pairing a Red Nectar from Humboldt Brewing Company outta Paso Robles, California with In This Moment's album "Blood"!

Released on August 14th, 2012, "Blood" is the 4th studio album by the theatrical and alternative metal band In This Moment.  The band on the album: Maria Brink (lead vocals and piano), Tom Hane (drums), Chris Howorth (lead guitar and backing vocals), Travis Johnson (bass guitar), and Randy Weitzel (rhythm guitar).  Guest musicians included Jake E. Lee of Ozzy Osbourne fame (guitar on the song "You're Gonna' Listen") and Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch (additional vocals on "Adrenalize").  Sound engineer Kevin Churko also provided additional drums.  As with every In This Moment album, "Blood" takes a different direction musically than its predecessor.  With "Blood", the band departed somewhat from their more traditional metalcore elements and incorporated more electronic, experimental, and progressive metal.  As always, the strength of the album and the band lies within Brink's powerfully emotional (sometimes sultry) vocal performance combined with powerful and honest songwriting and Howorth's intricate guitar work.  This is most evident in songs like the title track "Blood", "Adrenalize", "Whore", "You're Gonna Listen", "Scarlet", "From The Ashes", "Comanche", and "The Blood Legion".  The more I listen to this album the more I'm drawn into it. 

The Red Nectar is a traditional American Amber or Red Ale.  It pours a very hazy (almost opaque) reddish orange copper with a frothy, mocha, 1-finger head that leaves intricate and layered spider web lacing.  The nose is a subtle blend of earthy, malty, and nutty aromas.  There are notes of sweet caramel, roasted hazelnut, dark bread, and soap.  Firm carbonation and a medium body lends itself to a hearty and dry mouthfeel.  The taste is a blend of hearty grains, citrus, nuts, bitter hops, and sweet malt.  There are notes of juicy orange, lemon, bitter herbs, roasted nuts, biscuit, black tea, grassy hops, and sweet toffee/caramel.  The finish is crisp and clean with just a hint of peppery bite.  All-in-all, the Red Nectar is a solid beer that works with the intensity of In This Moment's "Blood"!

Cheers!!