Maria Brink (born December 18, 1977) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the frontwoman of the metal band In This Moment. The band has gone on to release seven studio albums and receive four nominations, two from Alternative Press Music Awards, one from Grammy Awards, and one from Loudwire Music Awards.

Maria Brink
Brink performing with In This Moment at With Full Force 2018
Born (1977-12-18) December 18, 1977 (age 46)
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2004–present
Children1
Musical career
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Member ofIn This Moment
Websitemariabrink.com

Brink has been awarded "Rock Goddess of the Year" in the third (2013) and fifth (2015) Annual Loudwire Music Awards, "Hottest Chick in Metal" in 2010, one of eleven women in heavy metal who matter by Yell! Magazine in 2012, and was recognized by Revolver Magazine as one of the "25 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock & Metal".

Early life

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Brink was born on December 18, 1977,[6][7] in Schenectady, New York; her father left the family when she was young.[7][8] She was moved around to various parts of Schenectady including low income housing because the family had little money.[3] Brink's mother introduced her to bands and artists such as Black Sabbath, Patti Smith, and the Rolling Stones.[8] Brink became interested in performing at the age of 5.[8]

Career

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Brink performing at Fort Rock Festival 2013

Early career

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The first band Brink was ever in was an Albany-based band called Pulse, before moving to California.[9] In 2002, when she was 25, she moved to Los Angeles to find a band to work with.[7][8] Before finding a band, she worked in stores, and sang in coffee shops and bars.[7] In 2004, she met now-band member Chris Howorth at an audition.[7][8] At first, Howorth rejected Brink for being a woman.[7][8] Two weeks later, Howorth apologized and hired Brink as the singer.[7][8] They formed the band Dying Star with drummer Jeff Fabb.[7][8] They were later joined by guitarist Blake Bunzel and bassist Josh Newell.[8] Soon after, the band changed their name to In This Moment.[7]

In This Moment

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Along with her band, she has released eight studio albums. They released their debut album, Beautiful Tragedy, on March 20, 2007.[10][11] Their second studio album, The Dream, was released on September 30, 2008.[10][12] The band's third album, A Star-Crossed Wasteland was released July 9, 2010.[13] The band's fourth album titled Blood was released on August 14, 2012.[14] Their fifth studio album titled Black Widow was released on November 17, 2014.[10][15][16] Their sixth studio album, Ritual, was released on July 21, 2017.[10][17] Their seventh studio album, Mother was released on March 27, 2020.[10][18] Their most recent, Godmode, was released on October 27, 2023.

Brink has been awarded "Rock Goddess of the Year" in the third (2013) and fifth (2015) Annual Loudwire Music Awards,[19][20] "Hottest Chick in Metal" in 2010,[21] one of eleven women in heavy metal who matter by Yell! Magazine in 2012,[22] and was recognized by Revolver Magazine as one of the "25 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock & Metal".[23]

Personal life

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At age 15, Brink gave birth to a son, Davion.[7][8] She worked to support herself and her son as well as helping her mother to overcome a drug addiction.[7][8] She is also an aspiring artist/painter going by the alias of 'Maria Brink's Wonderland'.[24] Brink was in a relationship with DevilDriver bassist, Jonathan Miller.[8][25] Brink was reported in 2020 in a relationship with Ded vocalist Joe Cotela.[26]

Influences

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Brink has cited Deftones, Pantera, M83 as some of her favorite bands.[27] She was inspired by vocalists Sarah McLachlan and Phil Anselmo.[8] Outside of music, Brink has cited Queen Elizabeth I, Mother Teresa, Joan of Arc, and her two mothers as the women that influenced her the most.[1]

Discography

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Brink performing at With Full Force 2018

In This Moment

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Studio albums

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Live albums

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Compilation albums

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References

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  1. ^ a b "In This Moment's Maria Brink: 5 Women Who Inspire Me". Revolver. March 31, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  2. ^ O'Hagar, Sammy (October 8, 2008). "For In This Moment, A Passable Album Is A Resounding Success". Metal Sucks. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Blanchet, Brenton (February 3, 2021). "Metal screams, Grammy dreams: Schenectady native Maria Brink's hard rock band In This Moment up for Grammy". Daily Gazette. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Scharf, Natasha (July 18, 2017). "In This Moment - Ritual album review". Metal Hammer. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  5. ^ De Blase, Frank. "In This Moment". Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  6. ^ "Maria Brink on Twitter". Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Beebee, Steve (March 28, 2005). "Maria Brink – In This Moment – Über Röck Interview Exclusive". Über Röck-Kick Ass Rock N Roll. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Celebrities Maria Brink feature". Inked Mag. April 25, 2008. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  9. ^ Metal, Upstate (October 7, 2013). "In This Moment's Maria Brink Talks to Upstate Metal – NYS Music". nysmusic.com.
  10. ^ a b c d e Rivadavia, Eduardo. "In This Moment Allmusic Bio". Allmusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  11. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Beautiful Tragedy – In This Moment". AllMusic.
  12. ^ Henderson, Alex. "AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Phil Freeman (July 13, 2010). "A Star-Crossed Wasteland – In This Moment | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Ramanand, Liz (May 14, 2012). "In This Moment Announce Title and Release Date for New Album 'Blood'". Loudwire. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Black Widow – In This Moment". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Price, Johnny (November 13, 2014). "Album Review: In This Moment – Black Widow". RockRevolt Magazine. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  17. ^ Trapp, Philip (May 12, 2017). "In This Moment officially announce new album, 'Ritual,' reveal new song, "Oh Lord"—listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  18. ^ "In This Moment Announce New Album Mother, Release New Video". Kerrang!. January 22, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  19. ^ "Loudwire Music Awards: Maria Brink Is Rock Goddess of 2013". Loudwire. February 11, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  20. ^ "Maria Brink Wins Rock Goddess of 2015 in 5th Annual Loudwire Music Awards". Loudwire. December 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  21. ^ "Maria Brink, lead singer of In This Moment on the black carpet after receiving her award for 'Hottest Chick in Metal' at the Revolver Golden God Awards 2010 in L.A." Mtv.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  22. ^ Shawn Loeffler (March 14, 2012). "11 Women In Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Who Matter". Yellmagazine.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  23. ^ "NewBay Media Online Store — Revolver – Feb/Mar -2014 – 25 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock". Guitarworld.myshopify.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  24. ^ Eduardo Rivadavia. "In This Moment – Discography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  25. ^ "In This Moment Frontwoman Talks New Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 14, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  26. ^ "DED's Joe Cotela Speaks On If He's Concerned People Attribute His Band's Success To His Romantic Relationship With In This Moment's Maria Brink". The PRP. May 9, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  27. ^ Liz Ramanand (May 20, 2012). "In This Moment Dish on New Album 'Blood,' Musical Influences + More". Loudwire. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  28. ^ "In This Moment: 'Live At The Orpheum' DVD To Be Made Available With 'Blood Special Edition'". Blabbermouth.net. December 23, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  29. ^ "In This Moment To Film Live DVD In Madison, WI Next Month". The PRP. April 16, 2013.
  30. ^ "In This Moment Detail New Greatest Hits CD/DVD Collection "Rise Of The Blood Legion…". theprp.com. March 10, 2015.
  31. ^ "Exclusive Song Premiere: Halestorm — "Here's To Us" (Guest Version), Featuring Slash, David Draiman, Brent Smith and More". Revolvermag.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  32. ^ "Manntis Feat In This Moment:"Heaven's A Lie"".
  33. ^ Amy Sciarretto (September 4, 2013). "Five Finger Death Punch + Maria Brink Collaboration 'Anywhere But Here' Surfaces". Noise Creep. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  34. ^ James Christopher Monger. "Red Dragon Cartel – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  35. ^ Samuel Lang (September 16, 2014). "Motionless In White Release "Reincarnate"". 303 Magazine. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  36. ^ Chad Childers (April 22, 2015). "Papa Roach Unleash 'Gravity' Video Featuring Maria Brink". Loudwire. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  37. ^ "P.O.D. lift lid on The Awakening". June 9, 2015.
  38. ^ DiVita, Joe (January 21, 2022). "In This Moment's Maria Brink Guests on New Asking Alexandria Song". Loudwire. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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