On June 7th, 2019, Motionless In White released their fifth studio record “Disguise” via Roadrunner Records and instantly captivated fans of metalcore worldwide.

Each album released by the Scranton-based band brings its element of violent melodies that can’t be recreated. All eleven tracks balance lyrical and vocal masterpieces with brutal instruments, ultimately coming together to make songs like “Thoughts and Prayers,” “Disguise,” and “Another Life.” The endlessly creative band always impresses with their albums that seamlessly mix Halloween, gut-wrenching choruses, a gothic sound, and bridges that should be screamed from rooftops.

The evolution of their music from the 2010 album “Creatures” to almost a decade later continues to amaze me. However, the vocalist and frontman of the band Chris Motionless has expressed how he doesn’t want to just be known as “the guy who can scream,” as he does so well in all their released work. Albums like “Creatures” leaned heavily into hardcore, while more recent albums like “Disguise” explore what other styles the band is capable of. While they were taking a risk by incorporating more ballets and mixing in some more clean verses, it worked out in their favor when one of those songs became their most popular song commercially and the album climbed up to number 2 on Billboard’s US Top Hard Rock Albums. Regardless of the gorgeous statistics tied to this album, it is one of my personal favorites.

The album opens with its title track “Disguise.” The instantly headbang-inducing song is about finding yourself after going through a dark time and becoming someone you’re not. This brave track depicts what it is like to finally be able to set yourself free after burying yourself to be more palatable for others. It’s intertwined with immaculate music from guitarists Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky Olsen, bass player Justin Morrow, and drummer Vinny Mauro. It wouldn’t be a Motionless In White song without a couple of solid “bleghs” scattered into the bridge either. It sets a powerful tone for the rest of the songs to come.

When asked what my favorite song of all time is, the song that always comes to mind first is “Thoughts and Prayers” featured on this album. Sitting still is not an option when listening to this rhythmic, fast-paced gem about the band’s opinions on religion and the resulting feelings brought out in believers and nonbelievers. It’s no mystery why they start a lot of their concerts with this one. In just four minutes, they tell a story, complete with a beginning, middle, end, and a timelessly brutal breakdown with killer drumming centerstage. “Can I get an amen?”

It was a shock to fans to see their beloved song “Undead Ahead” from debut album “Creatures” got a sequel “Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride.” A pleasant surprise to say the least. Vocalist Chris Motionless said the main reason for bringing this song back in a different way was to make it better while keeping a similar theme. If you’re a fan of the headless horseman story or generally like Tim Burton, this song is for you. Its gothic vibes and haunting atmosphere create the perfect song for Halloween lovers alike. Never a dull moment when this band mixes clean choruses with heavy verses.

A horrifically underrated song on this album is “Broadcasting From Beyond the Grave: Death Inc.” This psychedelic experience combines notes of synth-wave beats and extraordinary lyrics. It’s a beautifully unhinged anthem of individuality. This declaration of weirdness surely is a “disco freak show” and it couldn’t be better. Although its challenger is the sequel “BFBTG: Corpse Nation,” featured on their 2023 album “Scoring the End of the World.”

On another note, the ballet “Another Life” hit commercial success and became their most popular song of all time. It does not have as much of the original Motionless In White sound that I would prefer, but it is a beautifully written song nonetheless. This heartbreaking love song describes the pain involved in letting go. The incorporation of this melancholic song on the album adds to the individuality of each track. It’s an emotional roller coaster that proves Chris Motionless is not in fact, just good at screaming.

This top-tier album will always have a place in my heart and my playlists until the end of time. Even with their comparatively different sounds amongst the band’s discography, Motionless In White never ceases to amaze. It’s risky to explore and experiment with new styles, but I think it worked out in this band’s favor. Their range is comprehensive, and the results are impressive. While their sound continues to evolve, their main theme is the same: always be yourself.