ALBUM REVIEW: Disguise – Motionless In White
Since they first enchanted listeners back in 2006, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE have climbed a mountainous slope of exponential success, leading them to be one of the most prominent mainstream metal acts of the past decade. As with all climbing excursions, the hike has been far from trouble free, and the Pennsylvania quintet are set to unleash their fifth full length Disguise, destined to bare all and uncover the bare bones of the band’s striking story. As any emotive album should, Disguise finds MOTIONLESS IN WHITE wearing their hearts on their sleeves, heavier than ever and determined to continue taking the world by storm.
As the exhilarating title track opens the record, energy is the first notable characteristic. After Gothic opening notes, the band slip into a frenzy of metallic maelstrom. Chris Motionless’ deranged vocals howl above devastating notes and chaotic drum work, instantly battering senses with rambunctious vitality. Things instantly become more sedate however, as synth sweeps through a chorus section that sees clean vocals take precedence, offering a shift in dynamic that feels well placed and neatly executed. Headache begins with a nifty bass-line that grows into a nu-metal inspired monster. SLIPKNOT inspiration is hard to ignore here, and KORN-esque vocals both chant and offer an enjoyable bounce throughout the chorus.
C0DE is equally heavy, storming into life with digitally tinted riffs and frenetic drum patterns This time electronics are more prominent, fluctuating beneath vocals that slide between tuneful and harsh with very little effort. Although it feels as though MOTIONLESS IN WHITE are covering a lot of ground that has been worn thin by their genre predecessors, it has to be said that their sound is well honed and feels nostalgic as opposed to dated. As we’re flung headlong into Thoughts & Prayers, we begin to get the impression that Disguise offers a collection of sing-along anthems built cleverly for the arenas and festival stages that MOTIONLESS IN WHITE are playing with ever more frequency.
The tone is changed slightly with Legacy, where images of horror and hope are juxtaposed and integrated to whip up a shivering haunt. It could be guilty of falling into generic territory, albeit littered with neat hooks that hold our interest and save the track from falling out of favour. Undead Ahead: The Tale Of The Midnight Ride sees normality resume, utilising ethereal sound woven into the heavy body of the track. Metalcore-isms are visible left right and centre, as melodic riffs and crushing breakdowns pour from every orifice. As we’re led into Holding On To Smoke, synth is injected back into the equation, evoking a cacophony of cathartic rock that strangely feels like something BREAKING BENJAMIN or SKILLET might muster up. The question must be asked as to exactly what MOTIONLESS IN WHITE’s identity is, as it feels more like an amalgamation of their influences than a representation of their own persona.
Another Life allows Chris Motionless to expose the more delicate side to his vocal range, as he croons atop a sweeping soundscape, dousing the track with his heart and soul. It is a shining example of why MOTIONLESS IN WHITE hold such a special place in so many fans’ hearts. Rattling through a discourse than details pain, hope and the relatable struggles that we all suffer as people, it offers a glimpse of a solution to problems most of us experience at least once in our lives. This moment of calm is cut short when Broadcasting From Beyond The Grave: Death Inc kicks into life. This excerpt charges forwards with weighty riffs and electronic hooks, before darting into a flamboyant chorus. It is more fun that well-crafted, making use of childish lyrics and dance-along riffs. Brand New Numb feels more like an all out rock track, before Catharsis closes affairs with another heart-wrencher.
In all, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE have sculpted an album that will surely continue to contribute to their domination, but it does feel as though it achieves this at the expense of innovation and more forward thinking ideology. They are a band that have achieved a lot despite their hardship, and their well earned confidence shines through Disguise at every opportunity.
Rating: 7/10
Disguise is set for release on June 7th via Roadrunner Records.
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