{{short description|American singer (born 1977)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Maria Brink | image = In This Moment With Full Force 2018 27.jpg | caption = Brink performing with In This Moment at With Full Force 2018 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|12|18}} | birth_place = Schenectady, New York, U.S. | occupation = {{flatlist| * Musician * singer * songwriter }} | years_active = 2004–present | spouse = | children = 1 | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | background = solo_singer <!-- mandatory field--> | origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | instrument = {{flatlist| * Vocals * piano }} | genre = {{flatlist| * Alternative metal<ref name="revolvermag">{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/in-this-moment-maria-brink-5-women-who-inspire-me|title=In This Moment's Maria Brink: 5 Women Who Inspire Me|date=March 31, 2020|publisher=Revolver|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref> * metalcore<ref>{{cite web|first=Sammy|last=O'Hagar|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2008/10/08/for-in-this-moment-a-passable-album-is-a-resounding-success/|title=For In This Moment, A Passable Album Is A Resounding Success|website=Metal Sucks|date=October 8, 2008|access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref> * {{nowrap|hard rock}}<ref name="dailygazette genres">{{cite web|first=Brenton|last=Blanchet|title=Metal screams, Grammy dreams: Schenectady native Maria Brink's hard rock band In This Moment up for Grammy|url=https://dailygazette.com/2021/02/03/metal-screams-grammy-dreams/|website=Daily Gazette|date=February 3, 2021|access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> * industrial metal<ref name="Louder Sound Ritual">{{cite web|first=Natasha|last=Scharf|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/in-this-moment-ritual-album-review|title=In This Moment - Ritual album review|website=Metal Hammer|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=January 30, 2021}}</ref> * {{nowrap|nu metal<ref>{{cite web|first=Frank|last=De Blase|url=https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/metal-in-this-moment/Content?oid=2518952|title=In This Moment|work=CITY News |access-date=January 30, 2021}}</ref>}} * gothic metal<ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Polson|url=https://meaww.com/in-this-moment-mother-maria-brink-gothic-metal-melodic-dark-haunting-symphonic-spiritual|title='Mother' Review: In This Moment's gothic metal shines with intense power, brooding glory and spiritual gravitas|work=Meaww|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2025}}</ref> }} | current_member_of = In This Moment | website = {{URL|mariabrink.com}} }} }}
'''Maria Brink''' (born December 18, 1977) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the frontwoman of the metal band {{nowrap|In This Moment.}} The band has gone on to release eight studio albums and receive four nominations, two from Alternative Press Music Awards, one from Grammy Awards, and one from Loudwire Music Awards.
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== Brink was born on December 18, 1977,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MariaBrink/status/1340872691864236032|title=Maria Brink on Twitter|accessdate=February 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="UeberRock">{{cite web|url=http://www.uberrock.co.uk/interviews/54-march-interviews/14111-maria-brink-in-this-moment-uber-rock-interview-exclusive.html|title=Maria Brink – In This Moment – Über Röck Interview Exclusive|first=Steve|last=Beebee|website=Über Röck-Kick Ass Rock N Roll|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20200806024659/http://www.uberrock.co.uk/interviews/54-march-interviews/14111-maria-brink-in-this-moment-uber-rock-interview-exclusive.html|archivedate=August 6, 2020|date=March 28, 2005|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref> in Schenectady, New York; her father left the family when she was young.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag">{{Cite web |url=http://www.inkedmag.com/inked_people/40/ |title=Celebrities Maria Brink feature |date=April 25, 2008 |publisher=Inked Mag |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510123054/http://inkedmag.com/inked_people/40/ |archive-date=May 10, 2008 |access-date=April 25, 2008}}</ref> She was moved around to various parts of Schenectady including low income housing because the family had little money.<ref name="dailygazette genres"/> Brink's mother introduced her to bands and artists such as Black Sabbath, Patti Smith, and the Rolling Stones.<ref name="inkedmag"/> Brink became interested in performing at the age of 5.<ref name="inkedmag"/>
==Career== thumb|Brink performing at Fort Rock Festival 2013
===Early career=== The first band Brink was ever in was an Albany-based band called Pulse, before moving to California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nysmusic.com/2013/10/07/in-this-moments-maria-brink-talks-to-upstate-metal/|title=In This Moment's Maria Brink Talks to Upstate Metal – NYS Music|first=Upstate|last=Metal|website=nysmusic.com|date=October 7, 2013 }}</ref> In 2002, when she was 25, she moved to Los Angeles to find a band to work with.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> Before finding a band, she worked in stores, and sang in coffee shops and bars.<ref name="UeberRock"/> In 2004, she met now-band member Chris Howorth at an audition.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> At first, Howorth rejected Brink for being a woman.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> Two weeks later, Howorth apologized and hired Brink as the singer.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> They formed the band Dying Star with drummer Jeff Fabb.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> They were later joined by guitarist Blake Bunzel and bassist Josh Newell.<ref name="inkedmag"/> Soon after, the band changed their name to In This Moment.<ref name="UeberRock"/>
===In This Moment=== Along with her band, she has released eight studio albums. They released their debut album, ''Beautiful Tragedy'', on March 20, 2007.<ref name="Allmusic genres">{{cite web|first=Eduardo|last=Rivadavia|title=In This Moment Allmusic Bio|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/in-this-moment-mn0000558828/biography|website=Allmusic|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/beautiful-tragedy-mw0000577524 |title=Beautiful Tragedy – In This Moment |publisher=AllMusic |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo}}</ref> Their second studio album, ''The Dream'', was released on September 30, 2008.<ref name="Allmusic genres"/><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-dream-mw0000794304|title=AllMusic Review|last=Henderson|first=Alex|work=AllMusic|accessdate=February 8, 2021}}</ref> The band's third album, ''A Star-Crossed Wasteland'' was released July 9, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=Phil Freeman |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-star-crossed-wasteland-mw0002006552 |title=A Star-Crossed Wasteland – In This Moment | Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=2010-07-13 |accessdate=February 8, 2021}}</ref> The band's fourth album titled ''Blood'' was released on August 14, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramanand |first=Liz |url=https://loudwire.com/in-this-moment-announce-title-and-release-date-for-new-album-blood/ |title=In This Moment Announce Title and Release Date for New Album 'Blood' |date=May 14, 2012 |website=Loudwire |accessdate=February 8, 2021}}</ref> Their fifth studio album titled ''Black Widow'' was released on November 17, 2014.<ref name="Allmusic genres"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/black-widow-mw0002767209 |title=Black Widow – In This Moment |website=AllMusic |accessdate=February 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Price |first=Johnny |url=http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/album-review-moment-black-widow/ |title=Album Review: In This Moment – Black Widow |website=RockRevolt Magazine |date=November 13, 2014 |accessdate=May 11, 2015}}</ref> Their sixth studio album, ''Ritual'', was released on July 21, 2017.<ref name="Allmusic genres"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Trapp|first=Philip|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/in_this_moment_officially_announce_new_album_ritual_reveal_new_song_oh_lord |title=In This Moment officially announce new album, 'Ritual,' reveal new song, "Oh Lord"—listen |work=Alternative Press|date=May 12, 2017|accessdate=February 8, 2021}}</ref> Their seventh studio album, ''Mother'' was released on March 27, 2020.<ref name="Allmusic genres"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/in-this-moment-announce-new-album-mother-release-new-video/ |title=In This Moment Announce New Album Mother, Release New Video |date=January 22, 2020 |work=Kerrang! |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/in-this-moment-maria-brink-wins-rock-goddess-of-the-year-3rd-annual-loudwire-music-awards/|title=Loudwire Music Awards: Maria Brink Is Rock Goddess of 2013|work=Loudwire|date=February 11, 2014 |access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/maria-brink-rock-goddess-5th-annual-loudwire-music-awards/|title=Maria Brink Wins Rock Goddess of 2015 in 5th Annual Loudwire Music Awards|work=Loudwire|date=December 2015 |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref> "Hottest Chick in Metal" in 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/photos/revolver-golden-god-awards-2010/1641487/4946264/photo.jhtml#4946264|title=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.|publisher=Mtv.com|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331160027/http://www.mtv.com/photos/revolver-golden-god-awards-2010/1641487/4946264/photo.jhtml#4946264|archive-date=2016-03-31|url-status=dead}}</ref> one of eleven women in heavy metal who matter by Yell! Magazine in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|author=Shawn Loeffler |url=http://www.yellmagazine.com/11-women-in-heavy-metal-hard-rock-who-matter/29945/ |title=11 Women In Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Who Matter |publisher=Yellmagazine.com |date=2012-03-14 |access-date=2015-05-28}}</ref> and was recognized by Revolver Magazine as one of the "25 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock & Metal".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guitarworld.myshopify.com/collections/revolver/products/revolver-feb-mar-2014-25-hottest-chicks-in-hard-rock|title=NewBay Media Online Store — Revolver – Feb/Mar -2014 – 25 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock|publisher=Guitarworld.myshopify.com|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630170327/http://guitarworld.myshopify.com/collections/revolver/products/revolver-feb-mar-2014-25-hottest-chicks-in-hard-rock|archive-date=June 30, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Personal life== At age 15, Brink gave birth to a son, Davion.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> She worked to support herself and her son as well as helping her mother to overcome a drug addiction.<ref name="UeberRock"/><ref name="inkedmag"/> She is also an aspiring artist/painter going by the alias of 'Maria Brink's Wonderland'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/in-this-moment-mn0000558828/discography|title=In This Moment – Discography – AllMusic|author=Eduardo Rivadavia|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> Brink was in a relationship with DevilDriver bassist, Jonathan Miller.<ref name="inkedmag"/><ref>{{cite web|title=In This Moment Frontwoman Talks New Album|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/in-this-moment-frontwoman-talks-new-album/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=June 14, 2010|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref> Brink was reported in 2020 in a relationship with Ded vocalist Joe Cotela.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2020/05/09/news/deds-joe-cotela-speaks-on-if-hes-concerned-people-attribute-his-bands-success-to-his-romantic-relationship-with-in-this-moments-maria-brink/|title=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|website=The PRP|date=May 9, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref>
==Influences== Brink has cited Deftones, Pantera, and M83 as some of her favorite bands.<ref>{{cite web|title=In This Moment Dish on New Album 'Blood,' Musical Influences + More|author=Liz Ramanand|url=https://loudwire.com/in-this-moment-dish-on-new-album-blood-musical-influences-more/|website=Loudwire|date=May 20, 2012|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref> She was inspired by vocalists Sarah McLachlan and Phil Anselmo.<ref name="inkedmag"/> Outside of music, Brink has cited Queen Elizabeth I, Mother Teresa, Joan of Arc, and her two mothers{{explain|date=March 2026}} as the women that influenced her the most.<ref name="revolvermag"/>
==Discography== [[file:In This Moment With Full Force 2018 08.jpg|thumb|Brink performing at With Full Force 2018]]
===In This Moment=== {{Main|In This Moment discography}}
==== Studio albums ==== * ''Beautiful Tragedy'' (2007) * ''The Dream'' (2008) * ''A Star-Crossed Wasteland'' (2010) * ''Blood'' (2012) * ''Black Widow'' (2014) * ''Ritual'' (2017) * ''Mother'' (2020) * ''Godmode'' (2023)
==== Live albums ==== * ''Blood at the Orpheum'' (2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/in-this-moment-live-at-the-orpheum-dvd-to-be-made-available-with-blood-special-edition |title=In This Moment: 'Live At The Orpheum' DVD To Be Made Available With 'Blood Special Edition'|date= December 23, 2013|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2013/04/16/news/in-this-moment-to-film-live-dvd-in-madison-wi-next-month/ |title= In This Moment To Film Live DVD In Madison, WI Next Month |date= April 16, 2013 |publisher= The PRP}}</ref>
==== Compilation albums ==== * ''Rise of the Blood Legion: Greatest Hits (Chapter 1)'' (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2015/03/10/news/in-this-moment-detail-new-greatest-hits-cddvd-collection-rise-of-the-blood-legion/|title=In This Moment Detail New Greatest Hits CD/DVD Collection "Rise Of The Blood Legion…|date=March 10, 2015|publisher=theprp.com}}</ref>
===Songs featured on=== * "Here's to Us" (Guest Version) – Halestorm<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/exclusive-song-premiere-halestorm-heres-to-us-guest-version-featuring-slash-david-draiman-brent-smith-and-more.html|title=Exclusive Song Premiere: Halestorm — "Here's To Us" (Guest Version), Featuring Slash, David Draiman, Brent Smith and More|publisher=Revolvermag.com|access-date=November 1, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102233739/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/exclusive-song-premiere-halestorm-heres-to-us-guest-version-featuring-slash-david-draiman-brent-smith-and-more.html|archive-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref> * "Heaven's a Lie" – Manntis<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Manntis/_/Heaven's+A+Lie+(feat.+Maria+Brink)+(Lacuna+Coil+Cover)|title=Manntis Feat In This Moment:"Heaven's A Lie"}}</ref> * "Anywhere But Here" – Five Finger Death Punch<ref>{{cite web|url=https://noisecreep.com/five-finger-death-punch-maria-brink-anywhere-but-here/|title=Five Finger Death Punch + Maria Brink Collaboration 'Anywhere But Here' Surfaces|author=Amy Sciarretto|work=Noise Creep|date=September 4, 2013|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref> * "Big Mouth" – Red Dragon Cartel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/red-dragon-cartel-mw0002591641|title=Red Dragon Cartel – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |author=James Christopher Monger|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> * "Contemptress" – Motionless in White<ref>{{cite web|url=https://303magazine.com/2014/09/motionless-in-white-reincarnate-album-review/|title=Motionless In White Release "Reincarnate"|author=Samuel Lang|work=303 Magazine|date=September 16, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> * "Gravity" – Papa Roach<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/papa-roach-gravity-video-in-this-moment-maria-brink/|title=Papa Roach Unleash 'Gravity' Video Featuring Maria Brink|author=Chad Childers|work=Loudwire|date=April 22, 2015|access-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref> * "Criminal Conversations" – P.O.D.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalhammer.teamrock.com/news/2015-06-09/p-o-d-lift-lid-on-the-awakening|title=P.O.D. lift lid on The Awakening|work=Metal Hammer |date=June 9, 2015}}</ref> * "New Devil" – Asking Alexandria<ref>{{Cite web|last=DiVita|first=Joe|title=In This Moment's Maria Brink Guests on New Asking Alexandria Song|url=https://loudwire.com/asking-alexandria-new-devil-maria-brink-in-this-moment/|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Loudwire|date=January 21, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> * "Love Song" – Ded * "I Refuse" – Five Finger Death Punch * "Villainous" - Eva Under Fire
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.inthismomentofficial.com/ Official website for In This Moment] * [https://www.facebook.com/officialinthismoment/ Facebook page]
{{In This Moment}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brink, Maria}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American women singers Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:American contraltos Category:American women heavy metal singers Category:American women singer-songwriters Category:American rock songwriters Category:People from Schenectady, New York Category:Singer-songwriters from New York (state) Category:American heavy metal singers Category:Metalcore singers