February 21st, 2015 - Black Lager Spider

Good evening!  The Meista here pairing "Black Widow" by In This Moment and a KCCO Black Lager from Resignation Brewery (in collaboration with Redhook Ale Brewery)! 

Album Info:

• Artist: In This Moment
• Title: "Black Widow"
• Recorded: Throughout 2014
• Release date: November 17th, 2014 (5th studio album by In This Moment)
• Record company: Atlantic Records
• Personnel: Maria Brink (vocals and piano), Tom Hane (drums), Chris Howorth (lead guitars and backing vocals), Travis Johnson (bass guitar), and Randy Weitzel (rhythm guitar)
• Musical style: Alternative metal, djent, electronic rock, gothic metal, industrial, and shock rock
• Sound: Admittedly, after several listens, I still struggle a bit with the electronic/industrial sound on this album, but Brink's vocal prowess more than makes up for any misgivings I have about the sampling and looping as does Howorth's more aggressive guitar work.  There's almost a Missing Persons element to some of the sound of this album.
• Major themes: Somewhat of a concept album, Brink states that album is about "[an] innocent young girl who gets infected with life, traumas, experiences, and the balance of light and darkness. She becomes this poised and powerful creature."  Themes include sex, turning weaknesses into strength, dominance and submission, integrity, and revenge.
• Notes: I ordered "Black Widow" from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop (www.heavymetalshop.com )! 
• Tracks:

1. "The Infection"
2. "Sex Metal Barbie"
3. "Big Bad Wolf"
4. "Dirty Pretty"
5. "Black Widow"
6. "Sexual Hallucination"
7. "Sick Like Me"
8. "Bloody Creature Poster Girl"
9. "The Fighter"
10. "Bones"
11. "Natural Born Sinner"
12. "Into The Darkness"
13. "Out Of Hell"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Resignation Brewery (in collaboration with Redhook Ale Brewery)
• Website: http://resignationbrewery.com/home
• Brew: KCCO Black Lager
• Style: Schwarzbier
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.1%
• Pour: Dark mahogany (almost black) with flecks of red.  The head is very thin and leaves only a thin ring with no lacing.
• Nose: The nose is sweeter than expected while still being roasty and earthy.  There are aromas of beets, plums, raisins, coffee, biscuit, and floral soap.
• Taste: The initial flavor of the KCCO Black Lager is roasty and toasty with lots of toasted bread and caramel notes.  The mid-range notes have more of a coffee and dark fruit flavor, while the finish is dryer and more bitter with semi-sweet chocolate notes.
• Mouthfeel: Light bodied (a bit thin) with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very smooth and drinkable with a clean finish.

Overall pairing: The darker elements of the KCCO Black Lager work well with the pain and sorrow that emanates from "Black Widow" while the sweeter and more earthy elements make for a lovely bedfellow to the overtly sensual/sexual elements of the album and Brink's vocal prowess of course! 

Cheers!!