Don't let the dress fool you. This princess can knock you off your feet with her ethereal vocals and ear-splitting, raw ululant, leaving you in a blissful daze and maybe your ear drums bleeding (hey, in a good way =]). Maria Brink is the singer for the metalcore band In This Moment, whom came out with their debut album last year. Soft-spoken dreams mingling with haunting melancholy will leave you in awe, along with some decent guitar solos and pretty acoustic preformances.

Despite being in a heavily male dominated genre of music, they had no problem winning over their fans. Besides, gender stereotypes are old, and it's refreshing to hear female vocals than always the harsh growls of guys, no offense guys, they're great too. While it still takes time for people to realize that women have been around in metal, most know that they've never been left out.

So whatever generalization you have of gender roles, break away now, and bathe in the razor-blade torment of guitars and bass, pulsing beats of the drums, and grasp the vocalist's own pain/hope.

Hopefully I've described this band good enough, oh and some recommendations: Beautiful Tragedy, Prayers, Daddy's Falling Angel, Legacy of Odio, Ashes, and When the Storm Subsides. Check out their new one too, Forever.