Review: Decades Proves Motionless In White Still Reigns Supreme

By: Breanna Workman

Twenty years after their debut Motionless In White launched their seventh studio album, cunningly titled Decades following the release of Scoring the End in 2022. Ahead of the album’s release, Motionless gave fans a taste of what was to come with a series of standout singles. Beginning with my personal favorite, “Afraid of the Dark”—notably, the band’s first-ever No. 1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Songs chart—followed by “Playing God” featuring Corey Taylor, and “R.I.P.” featuring Skylar Grey.

It came as no surprise that the band continued their momentum, with each single reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. But the chart-topping momentum didn’t stop there. Just weeks after the album’s release, “Fight Like Hell” joined the ranks, becoming the fourth song from Decades to reach the No. 1 spot The early success of these tracks set the stage for the album’s impressive chart run. Decades peaked at No. 15 on the all-genre Billboard 200, marking the band’s
seventh consecutive album to make the chart. While the numbers tell the story of Decades’ commercial success, they merely scratch the surface of what makes this such a standout album for the band.

Decades is supercharged with a mix of heavy instrumentation and synth-pop influences while still preserving the band’s core identity. This combination allows the album to showcase the growth of Motionless In White while maintaining the dark, theatrical sound that has defined the band throughout their career. The result is an album that feels both familiar and fresh. Both “log_in//crash_out” and the title track, “Decades,” kick off the album with formidable weight, leaving riff-hungry fans hyped and ready for more. The intensity then takes a step back with “R.I.P.” featuring Skylar Grey while simultaneously maintaining the atmosphere offered by the album.

The most compelling track for me— and many other listeners— was track eleven of thirteen titled “Afraid of the Dark.” Segments of the song made rounds on social media for a moment highlighting the lyrical depth found throughout the album. When speaking on the single, Chris Motionless explains the track is about seizing your destiny and shaping your own future without fear or hesitation.

With four No. 1 hits and another Top 200 album under their belt, Decades proved to be more than a celebration of the band’s two-decade career—it was another milestone in Motionless In White’s continued rise through the hard rock scene. More than anything, it serves as a reminder that the band is more than capable of standing tall, continuing to evolve, and overcoming whatever challenges are thrown their way.