Review Summary: It's like Korn, Marilyn Manson and Within The Ruins had an orgy and the kid was emo.
Motionless in White formed in the mid 2000's and this is their 4th full length album.
The band are well known for their gothic imagery and lyrical themes, which are in spades here.
The opening track "Rats" opens with some spooky synth leads and a grooving guitar riff before settling into a very Marilyn Manson-esque industrial vibe and it's very quick that you hear Chris's singing chops, and he's grown a lot over the course of the bands output. Towards the end of the song, Chris's screams take over and just like his cleans, they've grown with him.
A lot of the songs here have incredibly catchy choruses, with stadium anthem vibes, barring "Not My Type" which lets it down because outside of the chorus and wince-worthy lyricism
"Eternally Yours" is the band's take on a love ballad, and combines the heaviness with beautiful melody. Yet it feels unnecessarily bloated due to the drifting piano at the end.
"Necessary Evil" features Jonathan Davis from Korn, and the track suitably has a very nu metal vibe. Jonathan's cameo is underwhelming and the chorus is a cringefest:
It's my party and ill die if I want to - Really? Wow. I've got nothing else to say to that.
"Soft" is anything but, and one of the heaviest tracks on here. The metalcore and grooving thrash riffs combined with Chris's vocals ensure this track will be a live staple once in the set.
"Not My Type" is one of the weaker tracks of the album, but considering the gut punches from "Rats" and "Soft" and the anthemic "Untouchable", it wasn't that surprising. Lyrically it commits the same sin as "Necessary Evil", the sparks of immaturity kill the vibe the music sets.
Side B, whilst weaker compared to Side A, is still decent. "570" and the previously mentioned "Eternally Yours", along with "The Ladder" are highlights.
"The Ladder" has one of the best breakdowns I've heard from a not Deathcore band. Nuff said.
"LOUD (*** It)" is the only track on here that i'd say isn't great. I enjoy it, but it feels like nothing compared to everything else.
Production wise, the album is amazing. Every instrument is given enough attention, and it is really well mixed.
Chris and the band are incredible songwriters, yet there are some lyrical moments that let the songs down, such as the previously mentioned "Not My Type" and "LOUD (*** It) " but otherwise, this album pulls together everything the band has done, improved and so much more. The followup to "Graveyard Shift" is gonna be a hard one, but I have faith that they'll be able to do it.
