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“Decades” is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Motionless in White, released on July 17, 2026, via Roadrunner Records. The record marks a celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary: Motionless In White formed in 2006, so the title “Decades” directly references the two decades of their career. The album consists of 14 tracks along with bonus tracks, running for approximately 54 minutes.

Creation and Concept

Work on “Decades” lasted approximately four years—the longest creative period between albums for Motionless In White. Following the success of Scoring the End of the World (2022), the band was in no rush for their next release and stated back in 2024 that they wanted to spend as much time as necessary to create the best possible record. Recording took place in Upstate New York and Los Angeles.

For frontman Chris Motionless, the process proved especially challenging. In a new interview with Metal Hammer, he shared that burnout and loss of creative motivation almost led him to quit music. Therefore, “Decades” holds not just anniversary significance for him, but a deeply personal one—it serves as confirmation that he still wants to make music after twenty years in the industry.

This is precisely why the album is not simply a retrospective. Motionless In White draw from nearly all defining elements of their history—metalcore, gothic rock/metal, industrial, nu metal, electronics, and huge arena-rock choruses—attempting to assemble them into one modern version of the band.

Sound

“Decades” prominently highlights Motionless In White’s signature balance between aggression and melody. Heavy breakdowns and metalcore riffs sit alongside synths, industrial beats, gothic atmosphere, and massive choruses.

At the same time, the band has become even bolder with their use of electronics. For instance, “log_in//crash_out” opens almost like an industrial/electronic track before transforming into heavy metalcore. AllMusic compares its digital chaos to the style of Static-X, while overall describing the album as a collision of metalcore aggression and highly infectious sing-along melodies.

This is a key detail: “Decades” is not an attempt to return to early Creatures or Infamous. Rather, the band demonstrates how all previous eras of their evolution can coexist simultaneously.

Key Tracks

• “Decades” — The title track and a manifesto for the album. It immediately brings the listener back to the heavier sound of Motionless In White’s early years: a massive riff, powerful rhythm section, and a heavy breakdown. The lyrics address the band’s twenty-year journey and their refusal to fade away as time passes.
• “log_in//crash_out” — One of the most modern tracks on the record. Its theme centers on tech addiction, social media, and the endless digital flood of information. The electronic elements here are not merely decorative—they reinforce the core concept of the song. Kerrang! named the track one of the strongest examples of the band’s new sound.
• “Playing God” — A centerpiece track featuring Corey Taylor of Slipknot. His appearance fits naturally into Motionless In White’s dark aesthetic, showcasing the heaviest side of the record with guest vocals that amplify the song’s aggression.
• “R.I.P.” — A more melodic, emotional track featuring Skylar Grey. Her vocals contrast with Chris Motionless, shifting the song from traditional metalcore into full-scale arena rock power ballad territory.
• “Blood Rave” — Featuring Anthony Martinez of Dark Divine, this is one of the most theatrical moments on the record. Motionless In White lean heavily into their gothic horror aesthetic: vampires, night, blood, and club atmosphere pair with heavy riffs.
• “Love At First Bite” — Continues the vampire theme, turning it into something more romantic and seductive. It represents the precise brand of gothic theatricality that has long been a trademark of their style.
• “Count Back From Zero” — One of the most emotional tracks. Beneath its gothic exterior lies a much more serious topic: addiction, relapse, and the struggle to start over. Reviews highlight it as a standout moment where the band sheds part of their theatrical mask to let raw emotion take center stage.
• “Afraid Of The Dark” — The lead single and one of the album’s heaviest tracks. Released on January 28, 2026, it became Motionless In White’s first track to top the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.
• “Sunglasses At Night” — Perhaps the most unexpected experiment. A cover of Corey Hart’s 1983 synth-pop hit, transformed by Motionless In White into a dark industrial/gothic metal track without leaning into parody.

Guest Musicians

A standout feature of Decades is its list of collaborations. Beyond Corey Taylor and Skylar Grey, the record features Anthony Martinez and Ovtlier. Rather than simple guest features for publicity, these collaborators help expand the album’s stylistic range.

The dynamic between Chris Motionless and Corey Taylor on “Playing God” particularly highlights Motionless In White’s connection to the generation of American metalcore and nu-metal that has always influenced them.

Critical and Fan Reception

Response to “Decades” has been noticeably polarized.

On one hand, Kerrang! gave the album a very positive review, calling it a career-defining release and praising the band’s confidence in blending heaviness, pop sensibility, and gothic/industrial aesthetics seamlessly.

Louder/Metal Hammer went even further, naming “Decades” Motionless In White’s most impressive album to date, noting that after years of occasionally seeming like a sum of their influences, the band has fully carved out their own musical identity.

Listeners on Reddit frequently view “Decades” as an encyclopedia of Motionless In White, praising how it incorporates elements from nearly every prior era.

Conversely, there is notable criticism. Sputnikmusic rated the album 1.5/5, calling it unfocused and criticizing the electronic second half for disrupting cohesive flow—specifically noting tracks like “Blood Pact” and “Sunglasses At Night”, even while acknowledging “Afraid Of The Dark” and the title track as highlights. Stitched Sound similarly noted that while the electronic shift defines the record, it may not appeal to all fans.

Ultimately, the main paradox of “Decades” is that what some listeners praise as versatility, others view as a lack of stylistic cohesion.

Overall Summary

“Decades” is an ambitious anniversary album where Motionless In White do not merely mark 20 years, but attempt to showcase their entire musical evolution in a single release. It houses the heavy metalcore of their early years, nu-metal, gothic metal, industrial, electronic, synthwave, and big modern rock choruses.

Its greatest strength is the band’s confidence in their own identity. Motionless In White no longer appear as a group searching for their place between metalcore, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, or Rammstein—they take these elements and reshape them into their own theatrical universe.

Who Might Enjoy It

Fans of Motionless In White, Slipknot, Ice Nine Kills, Bad Omens, Bring Me the Horizon, Static-X, Marilyn Manson, and modern gothic/industrial metalcore. It is especially recommended for those who appreciate heavy music paired with theatrical atmosphere, electronic production, horror aesthetics, and massive melodic choruses.