In the Black

Released in 2009, In the Black is Kittie's fifth studio effort and marks a definitive shift toward a more mature, groove-metal sound. Recorded after a period of lineup changes and the founding of their own label, the album features the debut of bassist Ivy Vujic, whose thick, prominent bass lines define much of the record's low-end power. Sonically, the album moves further away from the nu-metal associations of their debut 'Spit,' instead embracing elements of melodic death metal and thrash. The production is modern and punchy, emphasizing the technical growth of the Lander sisters. Critical reception noted the album's increased heaviness and technicality, often citing it as one of the strongest entries in their discography. It stands as a bridge between their early commercial success and their later, more extreme metal explorations, solidifying their place as a resilient force in the Canadian metal scene.