Motionless In White – Decades Review

Twenty years into their career, most bands have settled into a formula. Motionless In White have done the complete opposite.

Decades feels like a celebration of everything the band has become over the last two decades. It's heavy, theatrical, emotional, industrial, electronic and completely unapologetic. Rather than chasing trends or playing it safe, Chris Motionless and company have delivered an album that constantly keeps you guessing while never losing sight of what makes Motionless In White... Motionless In White.

The title track, "Decades," wastes absolutely no time. It's a baptism of fire that immediately sets the tone for everything to come, launching you straight into one of the band's biggest and boldest records to date.

"log_in//crash_out" follows with an incredible theatrical atmosphere. The Blade and Matrix-inspired industrial soundscape is immense, while the band's signature "blegh" lands exactly where you want it to. It's cinematic, aggressive and instantly memorable.

One of the album's biggest emotional moments arrives with "R.I.P.", featuring Skylar Grey. Her haunting vocals add another dimension to an already heartbreaking song, bringing even more weight to lyrics that are genuinely gut-wrenching at times. It perfectly balances the dark, gothic sound Motionless In White are known for with the vulnerability of a powerful rock ballad.

If you ever needed a soundtrack to walk into a wrestling ring or UFC octagon, "Fight Like Hell" is it. This song is pure adrenaline. It makes you want to run through a brick wall, and its breakdown is absolutely savage. Chris Motionless sounds genuinely furious here, and you can feel that anger pouring out of every lyric.

Then comes "Playing God," featuring Corey Taylor.

Let's be honest—having Corey Taylor on a heavy track has never made anything worse. Hearing these two vocal powerhouses trading lines is every bit as good as you'd hope. Lyrically, it's one of the album's strongest statements, taking aim at critics, click-driven journalism and the toxic side of parasocial fandom. The line "Cash in all your clicks" perfectly sums up the message, while "Lick the fucking dirt off my boots like a good dog," followed by one of the nastiest bleghs on the record, is one of those moments that will have fans rewinding the song immediately.

"All That I've Ever Known" is where Decades really starts throwing curveballs. It carries that unmistakable Motionless In White intensity before shifting into a huge nu-metal groove that instantly reminded me of early Linkin Park. Then comes an electronic drop that feels like the glory days of late-2000s electronicore, followed by a key change and an orchestral finale that somehow makes the whole thing feel even bigger. Every time I thought I knew where this album was going next, it completely surprised me.

One of the album's most underrated moments is "Blood Rave," featuring Anthony Martinez of Dark Divine. As someone who grew up loving the iconic rave scene from Blade, hearing that atmosphere transformed into a Motionless In White song is outrageously cool. Martinez fits perfectly, adding another layer to what becomes an industrial metalcore anthem that deserves to become a fan favourite.

Then there's "Sunglasses At Night." I absolutely adore the original, so I was fascinated to hear Chris Motionless' take on it. Thankfully, he absolutely nails it. Rather than simply covering the song, Motionless In White completely reimagine it while still respecting everything that made the original so iconic. The chorus genuinely gave me goosebumps, and by the end of it I couldn't imagine anyone else singing it. Covers often struggle to justify their existence, but this feels like a genuine reinvention that deserves to stand proudly alongside the original rather than living in its shadow.

Then there's "Afraid Of The Dark."

Let's be honest—"Afraid Of The Dark" is Motionless In White's magnum opus.

It's the kind of song that showcases everything the band does brilliantly in one place. Crushing heaviness, soaring melodies, electronic flourishes and cinematic orchestration all come together effortlessly, but what makes it truly special is its vulnerability. Beneath the huge production is an incredibly personal message that feels like an ode to the fans who have stood by the band over the past twenty years. It's honest, emotional and beautifully written, and by the time the final note hits, you're left with one of the most powerful songs Motionless In White have ever created.

What impressed me most throughout Decades wasn't just how heavy it is—it was how fearless it is. Industrial metal, gothic rock, metalcore, electronic music, orchestral arrangements and massive arena-sized choruses all exist within the same record, yet nothing ever feels forced or disjointed. Every experiment feels intentional, and every influence serves the songs rather than distracting from them.

Chris Motionless also deserves huge credit. Whether delivering towering clean vocals, vicious screams or switching effortlessly between the two, this might be his most complete vocal performance yet. His confidence is infectious, and it's clear this is an album that means a great deal to him. Knowing Chris has described Decades as the most personal record of his career—and one shaped by twenty years of determination—makes that passion even more apparent.

The production deserves praise too. Every electronic layer, orchestral flourish and crushing guitar riff has room to breathe, creating a record that sounds absolutely enormous without sacrificing any of its heaviness.

I'd genuinely be over the moon if Motionless In White decided to tour this album from start to finish. It's that consistently strong.

In an era where plenty of artists seem reluctant to commit to full albums, instead drip-feeding singles throughout the year, Decades feels refreshingly ambitious. This isn't just a collection of tracks—it's a complete listening experience. You can hear the time, care and creativity poured into every second.

Twenty years after forming, Motionless In White somehow still sound hungry. They aren't looking backwards—they're building on everything that's made them one of modern metal's biggest success stories while continuing to push themselves creatively. Decades doesn't feel like a band celebrating the past—it feels like a band laying the foundations for the future.

Chris Motionless has described Decades as the most personal record of his career, and after spending time with the album, it's easy to understand why. Every scream, every melody and every lyric feels earned. This is a band writing from experience, not expectation.

Over the last two decades, Chris and the rest of Motionless In White have shed their skin time and time again. They've evolved without ever losing their identity, constantly refusing to settle for what people expected of them. Decades feels like the culmination of every risk they've taken, every setback they've overcome and every lesson they've learned along the way.

And I'm glad they did.