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Motionless in White
Motionless in White
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Motionless in White is an American metalcore band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2004, the band consists of lead vocalist Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, guitarists Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky "Horror" Olson, drummer Vinny Mauro and bassist Justin Morrow. Cerulli is the only member of the original line-up that remains in the band. The group has stated that their band name derived from the Eighteen Visions song "Motionless and White".[1]

Key Information

Motionless in White was signed to Fearless Records for their first three studio albums; their fourth album, Graveyard Shift, was released in May 2017 through Roadrunner Records. Their fifth album, Disguise, was released in June 2019, followed by their sixth album, Scoring the End of the World, in June 2022.

History

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Formation and early years (2004–2009)

[edit]

Motionless in White was founded in summer of 2004 by members Chris Cerulli, who played guitar and lead vocals, Angelo Parente on drums, Frank Polumbo on guitar and Kyle White on bass during high school. For their first two shows at the Northeast Fair in Pittston, PA, the band was known as "One Way Ticket" and then as "When Breathing Stops" for the remainder of 2004. On New Year's Day of 2005, they settled on their current name.[2] Chris Motionless and other members have noted bands such as Poison the Well, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Johnny Cash, Depeche Mode, and other musical groups as their inspiration. In 2005, they released their self-distributed demo.[3]

Within the year after the release of their demo, new member Josh Balz was added as the band's keyboardist, Frank Polumbo took over on bass and new members, Michael Costanza and Thomas "TJ" Bell, were added to the band as the new guitarists, moving Chris Motionless solely to lead vocals.[3] The band was discovered by Zach Neil while performing at a local nightclub called The Staircase. Neil signed the band first to management and then later to his record label Masquerade recordings. They recorded their first EP The Whorror which was produced by Zach Neil and mixed by Dan Malsch and released it through Masquerade Recordings/Warner music group in 2007.[4]

After touring in support of The Whorror, Motionless in White had written enough songs to complete a full-length album. The album was named When Love Met Destruction. When Love Met Destruction was recorded in 2008 initially at Soundmine recording studio then finished at Zach Neil's home by Dave Cutrone and Zach Neil, and was released the same year on Masquerade Recordings. Neil added the band to his stage on the Warped tour with the new record in hand and the band quickly caught the attention of Shawn Milke from Alesana who offered to manage the band. Shortly thereafter Bob Becker of Fearless Records contacted Zach Neil to make an offer to buy the band's recording contract and sign the band to Fearless.[citation needed] The band and Neil agreed and Tragic Hero was offered to incubate the first official release to help grow the band leading up to their Fearless debut. The band was never actually signed to Tragic Hero Records.[5]

The band parted ways with guitarist Michael Costanza and brought in current guitarist Ryan Sitkowski as his replacement.[3][6] Despite being signed to Fearless before the months leading up to the release of the EP form of When Love Met Destruction, it was distributed through Tragic Hero on February 17, 2009.[6] The song "Ghost in the Mirror" was made as the band's first ever single and had a music video produced for it.[7]

Creatures and line-up change (2009–2011)

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Motionless in White in 2011

After the release of When Love Met Destruction, bassist Frank Polumbo departed Motionless in White for unknown reasons, leaving Bellevue, Washington native, Ricky "Horror" Olson as their new permanent bass player in October 2009.[8][failed verification] Months later, Motionless in White entered the studio during May 2010 to record their debut full-length, Creatures[9] with Andrew Wade as the chosen producer. The record's first single, "Abigail", premiered in Revolver Magazine on August 30 and was the released on iTunes the day after.[10] A music video for the song was released a few months afterwards,[11] along with following music videos over the next 2 years for title track "Creatures", the first track of the record "Immaculate Misconception"[12] and a live music video for "Puppets (The First Snow)" which was filmed during the band's summer on The All Stars Tour in 2011.[13]

Creatures was released on October 12, 2010, through Fearless, and claimed the 175th slot on the Billboard Top 200 charts, and No. 6 on the Heatseekers chart.[14]

On Wednesday May 4, 2011, guitarist Thomas Joseph "TJ" Bell was fired from the band.[15] Reasons for the matter explained from Bell's perspective were that while he was handling bass substitution duties for Escape the Fate, he was expected to meet along with the rest of Motionless in White in Orlando, Florida by that tour's end.[16] According to the band, Bell left in the middle of Motionless in White's tour schedule to fill-in as a bassist for Escape the Fate and also did not inform the rest of the members early enough in advance that he would not be available during those weeks.[16] This action forced the band to be without their rhythm guitar parts during their performances.[17][18] Motionless in White stated "If our live performance didn't heavily depend on having 2 guitarists then it wouldn't have been a huge deal to us... but unfortunately having one guitar player in a band like ours causes your show to suffer greatly. We agreed to let TJ go," along with an explanation about how they experienced many disagreements with Bell throughout the years of being a band.[18]

After Bell's departure, Olson then switched his position in the band from playing bass to rhythm guitar, which then left the group in-audition, once again, for a new bass player. In the tours Motionless in White performed after Olson's switch to rhythm guitar, a man with an unknown name began playing bass, finally confirmed as being Devin Sola, who now goes by "Ghost", a substitute bassist. Sola was officially confirmed as the band's new bassist on November 27, 2011.[19]

Infamous (2012–2014)

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In early 2012, Motionless in White contributed to the Kerrang! Metallica The Black Album: Covered on the song, "My Friend of Misery."[20]

Motionless in White decided on working with two separate producers to accomplish a very wide array of sounds and styles for Infamous. It was then announced that Infamous was to be produced by Jason Suecof and musician Tim Sköld.[21] On September 25 "Devil's Night" was released as the first single for the album.[22] On October 9, their second single "If It's Dead, We'll Kill It" was released.[23] On November 13, 2012, the music video for the single "Devil's Night" was released, along with the full album itself.[24] Infamous initially hit No. 53 on the Billboard 200, No. 19 on Top Rock Albums, No. 9 on Top Independent Albums, and No. 5 on Top Hard Rock Albums.[25]

Motionless in White's ex-drummer, Angelo Parente, announced his departure from the band on March 11 via Tumblr, saying 'After doing this since I was 17, the nonstop touring, and everything else that comes with the life of a musician has finally caught up with me.'. He has left the band on good terms, and there is no sign of internal rifts.[26] Brandon Richter formally of 'The Witch Was Right' was announced as the replacement drummer on April 23, 2013.[27] This action left Chris Motionless as the band's last original member.

On April 23, the band released the third single from Infamous, "America", accompanied by a lyric video.[28] On June 3, another video, directed by Slipknot percussionist Shawn Crahan, was released for the single.[29] The video also starred Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn. On June 11, 2013, Motionless in White released the Deluxe Edition of Infamous, featuring remixed and remastered versions of all the original tracks, alongside two new songs, remixes by Celldweller, Combichrist and Ricky Horror, and re-recorded drums by Richter.[30]

Motionless in White did their first full UK tour in September 2013 with The Defiled and Glamour of the Kill.[31] They later supported acts such as In This Moment on the 'Hellpop Tour' in October to November[32] and All That Remains in November to December 2013.[33] Motionless in White performed at the 2013 Mayhem Festival.[34]

Reincarnate (2014–2016)

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Chris Motionless performing with the band at Welcome to Rockville in Jacksonville, FL

On January 23, 2014, the band announced a short headlining tour in March with The Plot in You, Like Moths to Flames, For the Fallen Dreams and The Defiled with For Today appearing in San Antonio. Following the tour the band would enter the studio to work on their follow-up to their 2012 album, Infamous.[35]

On February 5, Motionless in White was announced to play the Vans Warped Tour on the main stage.[36] The same day, the band confirmed that they will be covering "Du hast" by Rammstein for the Punk Goes... compilation series, Punk Goes 90s Vol. 2.[37] Later that month, drummer Brandon Richter released a statement that he will no longer be part of the band; however, he has thanked all of the support he has gained and has left on good terms, although he won't give out any specific reasons to leaving the band.[38]

In an interview with Rock Sound magazine, Chris Motionless expressed that recording the third album was much easier compared to Infamous as "...the timeframe worked against me, and there was an inner conflict going on, trying to move into a different style of music and making a lot of mistakes as I went."[39] He stated that the album's sound will contain the aggressiveness 'Creatures' had which 'Infamous' lacked in and will also have a more consistent style.[39]

On April 23, 2014, the band's third studio album, Reincarnate, was announced through social media, with an intended release date of September 16, 2014.[40] The band stated that they remain as a quintet and will be working with touring and session drummers.[41] On June 11, Fearless Records released a video featuring the album's artwork and contained a teaser for their next upcoming single of the same name, which was to be released on July 1 however was delayed to July 8.[42][43] The band was announced as a support act for A Day to Remember's tour titled Parks & Devastation Tour that takes place throughout September and October, and will be supporting them alongside Bring Me the Horizon and Chiodos.[44] The band also announced a co-headline tour with gothic metal band Lacuna Coil in Europe, with the gothic metal band Devilment (fronted by Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth) supporting them. The tour started at the end of October continuing through November.[45]

The band was announced as one of the acts to perform in the South by So What?! festival in March at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie.[46]

During the summer of 2015 Motionless in White toured along with Slipknot, Lamb of God, and Bullet for My Valentine as part of the Summer's Last Stand Tour running from July 24 to September 5.

Graveyard Shift (2016–2018)

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Motionless in White in 2016

Vocalist Chris Cerulli has stated that their new album will not be released through Fearless Records.[47] On June 23, 2016, Motionless In White released the single titled "570", from the band's forthcoming studio album, which will be released via Roadrunner Records. In the fall of 2016, the band embarked on the Nocturnal Underground tour with Breaking Benjamin and Korn. On October 31, Roadrunner announced the album was to be titled Graveyard Shift. The band reached out to the fans with a contest to design the new album's artwork.[48]

Motionless in White live at Rock im Park 2017
Motionless in White live at Rock am Ring 2023

On January 10, 2017, keyboardist Josh Balz announced his departure from the band after 10 full years.[49] He cited that he wanted more time available to run his oddities parlor, "The Strange and Unusual".

On January 26, the band released the second single from Graveyard Shift, titled "Eternally Yours".[50] A day later, it was revealed that Graveyard Shift is set to be released on May 5, 2017. The band also revealed they were opening an artwork contest for the new album, the winner of which would have their artwork featured for Graveyard Shift.

On March 3, the band revealed the album's official artwork created by Crystal Johnson[51][52] and tracklist, followed by the release of their third single, "LOUD (Fuck It)".[53]

On April 30, Motionless in White premiered their song "Rats", a few days before the initial album drop.[54] After the album was released, the band embarked on the Half God Half Devil tour with In This Moment, touring across the United States and to multiple areas around Europe.

The band embarked on the US leg of their headlining tour; The Graveyard Shift Tour, running from September–October 2017 and will bring the tour to Europe in early 2018. Motionless In White was joined on the US portion of this tour by Miss May I and The Amity Affliction, along with special guest, William Control. As well as European/US legs from January to March 2018.

On May 4, 2018, the band announced the departure of longtime bassist Devin "Ghost" Sola, citing personal mental health problems as a major factor. Former guitarist, TJ Bell, was later announced to be filling in, in regards to the duties needed for the Summer Warped Tour festival.[55]

Disguise (2018–2021)

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On May 6, 2018, Chris Motionless announced via Instagram that a new record would be released in 2019. He claimed that he, along with Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky Olson, would begin full-time writing prior to touring with Warped Tour that summer.

Throughout the summer of 2018, the band embarked on the final cross-country run of Vans Warped Tour, spanning from June 21 to August 5, 2018. After the departure of Devin Sola, the band reunited with former guitarist TJ Bell for the tour. Once the tour wrapped, the band took the rest of the year off, with the exception of a few festivals, Halloween shows, and a club show in their hometown of Scranton, to work on the upcoming album. For their final appearances of 2018, Justin Morrow of Ice Nine Kills toured with them on bass guitar.

In early March, the band announced they would be touring over the summer with Alice Cooper and Halestorm. A few days later, they announced they would be embarking on a co-headliner with Atreyu over the course of April and early May. The day prior to the Spring Invasion tour with Atreyu beginning, the band began teasing new music through their social media accounts.

On March 24, 2019, Motionless in White announced via Instagram that Ice Nine Kills member, Justin Morrow would be leaving Ice Nine Kills and joining Motionless in White full-time on bass guitar.[56]

On April 17, the band announced their new album Disguise set for release on June 7, 2019. On the same day, they released two singles off of the album titled "Disguise", which had been premiered at Earthday Birthday in Orlando a few days prior, and "Brand New Numb".[57]

On May 10, the band released their third single "Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride" and its corresponding music video.[58]

On June 5, a few days before the album was due to drop, the band premiered the song "Thoughts & Prayers" on BBC's Radio 1's Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter. This was the first appearance of lead guitarist Ryan Sitkowski performing vocals on a record. On June 27, the band released a corresponding music video for their second single of the album, "Brand New Numb".[59]

On June 12, Motionless in White released a documentary on the recording and making of their fifth album Disguise. The documentary consists of what it was like to make the album along with what the album means to the band. There are also clips of studio jokes, guitar work, and of course vocals from the album. While the documentary unfolds, you can hear instrumentals of the whole album which makes watching the video more enjoyable for fans. The commentary has interviews of the band and what they think of the album. There are a lot of points in the video that discuss what the album means to them with Chris Motionless saying, "And with this record, I heavily gravitated towards writing about the long journey of admitting to myself that i'm struggling with a lot mentally while simultaneously being in the best and happiest place in my life, I was also in one of the darkest places and that contradiction of those feelings festered in my head and left me more and more confused by my life in general to which it then manifested into deeper and deeper destructive feelings and actions as my time ignoring it went on until one day I just lost it and broke down and there begins basically the story of so many of these songs."[60] While the album has a lot of emotions in it, there are also different feelings for the album with Ryan Sitkowski saying that this is a "solidified version of what Motionless in White actually is".[60] The recordings shown are the songs that can be heard across the album with the song, "Another Life" being a background track during parts of the video. Justin Morrow is shown in the documentary as he just joined the band and got to help make it as the record. It shows him doing background screams. The commentary shows what it was like to make this album and gives more insight into what the album means as a whole.[60]

Before the band was set to embark on their "Disguise Tour" in Europe, the band embarked on "The Trick 'R Treat Tour" in which they were headliners, along with some east coast shows with In This Moment. The band also announced that they would be touring with Beartooth on "The Diseased and Disguised Tour" in January 2020.[61] As 2019 came to a close, they announced multiple shows at European festivals over the summer such as Rock am Ring and Graspop Metal Meeting along with a show in Warsaw, Poland with August Burns Red, marking their first time ever in the country of Poland. However, all of the European shows are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2020, during a livestream interview, Chris Motionless announced that they were already working on their next album, and assured that the songs for the album will be heavier, although the recording could be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[62] On September 9, the band released their cover of The Killers' "Somebody Told Me" on streaming music services.[63] On October 5, the band announced that they'll release a 10th anniversary re-issue of the album titled Creatures X on October 9.[64]

On May 14, 2021, the band released the final of what they call "The Quarantine Experiments" in the form of a synthwave-edition of their song "Voices".[65] On August 20, the band released a new single titled "Timebomb".[66]

Scoring the End of the World and upcoming seventh studio album (2022–present)

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On March 7, 2022, the band announced that they are planning to release new music on Friday, March 11, with a 30-second video teaser hinting at some potentially new music.[67] On that day, the band officially released the single "Cyberhex" featuring Lindsay Schoolcraft along with its music video. At the same time, they officially released the cover and track list for their sixth studio album, Scoring the End of the World, which was released on June 10, 2022.[68][69]

On April 14, the band unveiled the second single "Masterpiece" and its corresponding music video.[70][71] On May 13, the band released the third single "Slaughterhouse" featuring Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose.[72][73] On June 3, one week before the album release, the band released the title track "Scoring the End of the World" featuring Mick Gordon.[74][75]

In April 2023, the band announced a summer tour dubbed "The Dark Horizon Tour" which co-headlines with In This Moment.[76][77] Just a few weeks later, the band announced a fall tour with Knocked Loose, After the Burial, and Alpha Wolf titled "The Touring The End of the World Tour.[78][79] On July 7, 2023, the band announced the deluxe edition of the album which is set to be released on September 8, 2023. At the same time, the band officially revealed the track list.[80]

Motionless in White performed during the first night of WWE's WrestleMania XL on April 6, 2024, where they performed Rhea Ripley's theme "Demon in Your Dreams" prior to her Women's World Championship defence; Ripley is a long-time fan of the band and based much of her aesthetic as a wrestler upon Cerulli.[81]

Motionless in White is currently working on a follow-up album to Scoring the End of the World. The band is taking their time with its writing and recording, prioritizing quality over maintaining their momentum in popularity gains in the 2020s.[82]

The band was confirmed to be performing at the 2026 Sonic Temple music festival in Columbus, Ohio.[83]

On January 28, 2026, the band released a new single titled "Afraid of the Dark". In February, it became their first number 1 song Billboard Hard Rock chart.

Musical style and influences

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The band is described by AllMusic as a blend of metalcore, gothic metal and industrial metal.[84] They have also been called "horror-metal"[85] and nu metal.[86][87]

The group's song structure commonly features intricate riffs coupled with occasional blast beats during verses and breakdowns present in songs. The band's keyboard effects are also noted, having been claimed to add a "dark and uneasy atmosphere" to the group's music on their debut album Creatures.[88] The sound on their second album, Infamous, was said to have resembled Marilyn Manson's by Alternative Press, Revolver and Kerrang![89][90][91]

The band's lyrics have explored themes and topics such as religious trauma syndrome, culture of the United States, politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and anti-capitalism.[92] The lyrics are occasionally profane, and have been known to incorporate slang words such as "bitch".[93]

The band members themselves have stated that they are influenced from a wide variety of artists such as AFI,[94] Aiden, As I Lay Dying, Atreyu, August Burns Red,[95] Avenged Sevenfold,[96] Bauhaus, the Black Dahlia Murder,[97] Bleeding Through, Christian Death,[98] Cradle of Filth, the Cure, Danzig, Depeche Mode,[99] Eighteen Visions, Every Time I Die,[100] Gojira, HIM, Black Sabbath, Himsa, It Dies Today,[101] KMFDM,[102] Johnny Cash, Korn, Sex Pistols, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Misfits, Metallica,[103] Morrissey, Nine Inch Nails,[104] Underoath, Psyclon Nine, Rammstein,[105] Rob Zombie,[106] Slipknot,[107] the Sisters of Mercy, the Smiths, and Suicide Commando.[108]

Band members

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Timeline

Discography

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Motionless in White is an American band from , formed in 2005 and recognized for their gothic-inspired sound blending industrial, electronic, and heavy metal elements. The band's aesthetic draws from horror and dark themes, influencing their music videos, lyrics, and live performances, which emphasize dramatic vocals and high-energy shows. As of 2025, the current lineup consists of vocalist Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, guitarists Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky "Horror" Olson, drummer Vinny Mauro, and bassist Justin Morrow. The band emerged from the mid-2000s metalcore scene, initially self-releasing demos and EPs before signing with Fearless Records in 2010. Their debut full-length album, Creatures (2010), marked their entry into mainstream heavy music, peaking at No. 175 on the Billboard 200 and establishing their reputation for aggressive riffs and atmospheric synths. Follow-up releases like Infamous (2012) and Reincarnate (2014) showcased lineup stability and collaborations with artists such as Cradle of Filth's Dani Filth, helping them build a dedicated fanbase through tours alongside acts like Korn and Slipknot. Over the years, Motionless in White has navigated lineup changes, including the departures of keyboardist Josh Balz in 2017 and bassist Devin "Ghost" Sola in 2018, while maintaining a core creative focus led by Cerulli. Motionless in White's discography includes six studio albums, with later works demonstrating commercial growth and genre evolution toward more melodic and cinematic elements. Graveyard Shift (2017) and Disguise (2019) both peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard 200, reflecting their expanding appeal beyond metalcore purists. Their sixth album, Scoring the End of the World (2022), debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 with 23,000 units sold in its first week and topped the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, featuring guest appearances from artists like Black Veil Brides' Andy Biersack and Spiritbox's Courtney LaPlante. Singles like "Masterpiece" and "Another Life" from the album achieved significant streaming success, underscoring the band's adaptability in the modern rock landscape. In 2025, Motionless in White remains active on the touring circuit, headlining festivals and their annual Apocalypse Fest event on November 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where they performed their album Infamous in full for the first time. The band continues to release deluxe editions and collections, such as the 2022 Masterpiece: Motion Picture Collection and the 2024 Reincarnate: 10 Year Anniversary EP, while preparing for international tours and announcing a new single "Afraid of the Dark" for January 2026 along with their seventh studio album later that year, solidifying their status as a key influence in gothic metalcore.

History

Formation and early releases (2005–2009)

Motionless in White was formed in 2005 in , by Chris "Motionless" Cerulli as a four-piece band. The group initially performed under the name One Way Ticket for their first two shows before renaming itself Motionless in White on 2005. The band's early efforts focused on local performances in the Scranton area, where they built a grassroots following through gigs at small venues and county fairs. In the summer of 2005, they won the Battle of the Bands contest via a submission on their page, securing a performance slot on that year's Vans Warped Tour and providing crucial early exposure. The initial lineup consisted of Cerulli on lead vocals and guitar, Angelo Parente on drums, Frank Polumbo on guitar, and Kyle White on bass. In , this configuration recorded and self-released a three-track demo album, featuring "Bleed In Black And White," "Trace Out The Heart," and "The Seventh Circle." The demo, produced independently, showcased the band's emerging sound with gothic elements and was distributed locally to attract attention from fans and industry contacts. By the time of their next release, the lineup had evolved, with Polumbo shifting to bass, Thomas "TJ" Bell joining on , Mike Costanza on , and Balz adding keyboards and backing vocals. In 2007, the band released their debut EP, , on July 3 through the independent label Masquerade Recordings. Recorded at Soundmine Recording Studio in , the EP consisted of six tracks: "The Whorror," "Schitzophrenicannibalisticsexfest.com," "She Never Made It to the Emergency Room," "We Put the Fun in ," "Buried Alive," and a demo version of "Ghost in the Mirror." Produced by the band alongside engineer Eric Kustar, it highlighted their blend of aggressive riffs, electronic influences, and theatrical themes, earning positive reception in underground circles. The release solidified their presence in the regional scene and led to increased bookings beyond . The band signed with in 2008, marking a step toward broader distribution. They followed this by re-recording and issuing the EP on February 17, 2009, selecting six standout tracks from an earlier project for a polished sound. The EP included "To Keep from Getting Burned," "Ghost in the Mirror," "Destroying Everything," "," "Puppets (The First Snow)," and "Banshee (Beast in Me)." Produced by , it captured the band's intensifying style and propelled their first nationwide tour, a headlining run across the U.S. that introduced them to larger audiences and helped establish their reputation in the community.

Creatures era and initial lineup changes (2009–2012)

Motionless in White released their debut studio album, Creatures, on October 12, 2010, through Fearless Records. Produced by Andrew Wade at Wade Studios in Ocala, Florida, the album captured the band's evolving sound with a blend of metalcore aggression and electronic elements. The track listing includes:
  • "Immaculate Misconception"
  • "We Only Come Out at Night"
  • "London in Terror"
  • ""
  • ""
  • "Cobwebs"
  • ".Com. Pt. II"
  • "Count Choculitis"
  • ""
  • "If You're So Inclined..."
  • "Puppets (The First Snow)"
Lyrically, explores themes of horror-inspired narratives and tumultuous relationships, with songs like "" drawing from witch trial lore and "Immaculate Misconception" delving into betrayal and emotional turmoil. Songwriting credits primarily involve vocalist "Motionless" Cerulli, Parente, and keyboardist Josh Balz, alongside contributions from guitarist Thomas "TJ" Bell. Critics hailed the album as a cornerstone of gothic , praising its atmospheric depth and the band's ability to fuse cinematic horror flair with heavy riffs, setting the stage for their trajectory in the genre. Following the release of their 2009 EP , original bassist Frank Polumbo departed the band in late 2009 for personal reasons. Ricky "Horror" Olson, a native of , joined as the new bassist shortly thereafter in October 2009, providing stability to the rhythm section and participating in the recording of . Olson contributed to the album's songwriting, co-writing tracks like "London in Terror" and adding clean vocals that complemented Cerulli's harsh style. His integration helped refine the band's dynamic, emphasizing horror-themed aesthetics in both music and visuals. Lead guitarist Mike Costanza departed after the 2009 EP, with Ryan Sitkowski joining as his replacement for . In 2011, after rhythm guitarist TJ Bell's departure on May 4, Olson shifted to , bringing his melodic sensibilities to the forefront while the band recruited Devin "Ghost" on bass. This lineup adjustment marked an initial stabilization, allowing Olson to expand his role in songwriting and backing vocals for future releases. To promote Creatures, Motionless in White embarked on several early tours, including the Thrash and Burn Tour in early 2010 and select dates on the Vans Warped Tour later that year, where they performed tracks like "" and "" to growing crowds. These outings, alongside appearances on the Tour in fall 2010, helped solidify their live presence and interactions with industry figures. Having signed with in 2008 after initial buzz from independent releases, the band leveraged the label's support for wider distribution, though they continued building momentum through efforts. The Creatures era also saw significant fanbase expansion via MySpace-era promotion, where the band shared demos and horror-infused content, attracting a dedicated following of "" before the album's release. This online engagement, combined with tour exposure, transitioned their niche appeal into broader recognition by 2012, paving the way for subsequent recordings.

Infamous and mainstream breakthrough (2012–2014)

In 2012, Motionless in White released their second studio album, Infamous, on November 13 through . The record was produced by and Tim Sköld, marking a sonic evolution that incorporated more industrial and electronic elements into the band's foundation. Drawing on dark, horror-inspired aesthetics and themes of personal betrayal and turmoil, the album's often explore and societal disillusionment, as seen in tracks like "Hatefuck" and "." The standard track listing includes:
  • "Black Damask (The Fog)"
  • "Devil's Night"
  • "A-M-E-R-I-C-A"
  • "Burned at Both Ends"
  • "The Divine Infection"
  • "Puppets 2 (The Rain)"
  • "Sinematic"
  • "If It's Dead, We'll Kill It"
  • "Synthetic Love"
  • "Hatefuck"
  • "Underdog"
  • "Infamous"
Singles from Infamous included "," released alongside a on the album's launch day, and "A-M-E-R-I-C-A," which premiered its video in 2013. The album debuted at No. 53 on the chart, No. 19 on the Top Rock Albums chart, and No. 5 on the Albums chart, signifying a substantial leap in commercial visibility for the band. To support the album's promotion, Motionless in White undertook extensive touring, including the 2012 All Stars Tour alongside headliners and other acts like on select dates, which helped solidify their presence in the metalcore circuit. In 2013, they joined on the Entertainment or Death Tour with , further elevating their profile through shared billing with prominent peers and drawing larger audiences to showcase material from Infamous. Keyboardist Josh Balz amplified the album's atmospheric electronic layers and contributed to its cinematic production.

Reincarnate and creative expansion (2014–2017)

Motionless in White released their third studio album, Reincarnate, on September 15, 2014, through . The album was co-produced by Dan Korneff and frontman Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, marking Cerulli's growing involvement in the band's production process. It featured notable guest vocalists, including of on "Puppets 3 (The Grand Finale)," of on "Contemptress," and Tim Sköld, formerly of , on "Dead as Yesterday." Thematically, Reincarnate explored concepts of personal rebirth and transformation, with the title track depicting a cycle of destruction and renewal through lyrics like "Forgetting I'm a loaded gun / So hate me for the things I've done / And not for what I've now become." The album achieved significant commercial success, debuting at No. 9 on the chart after selling approximately 31,000 copies in its first week. To promote Reincarnate, the band released the official for the title track, filmed at the haunted Alexandria Hotel in and directed by Chad Michael Ward, which showcased gothic imagery aligned with their evolving aesthetic. A lyric video for "Lost in the Static" further highlighted the album's introspective tracks, emphasizing electronic and atmospheric elements. In support of the release, Motionless in White joined the 2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival as part of the main stage lineup, performing alongside acts like Korn and . The band expanded internationally that year with their appearance at Australia's Soundwave Festival, marking a key step in their growth beyond . In 2015, they headlined the Beyond the Barricade Tour across the U.S., supported by and , which allowed for intimate venues and direct fan engagement. Further international outreach included a European run culminating at the in the UK, alongside additional shows in , solidifying their global presence. During this period, the band's creative expansion involved deliberate experimentation with melodic structures and electronic integrations to balance their aggressive roots with broader accessibility. Cerulli's co-production role enabled deeper exploration of these elements, such as layered clean vocals and synth-driven atmospheres, while keyboardist Joshua Balz contributed atmospheric textures that enhanced the gothic and industrial influences. This approach helped refine their identity, blending heaviness with emotional depth across the album's tracks.

Graveyard Shift and band transitions (2017–2019)

Motionless in White released their fourth studio album, Graveyard Shift, on May 5, 2017, through . The album was co-produced by frontman Chris "Motionless" Cerulli and , marking a shift toward a more polished production that blended heavy elements with industrial and electronic influences. Standout tracks included "", a high-energy single featuring aggressive riffs and anthemic choruses, alongside deeper cuts exploring themes of personal darkness, rage, loss, and emotional turmoil. The period surrounding Graveyard Shift was marked by significant lineup shifts, beginning with the departure of longtime and founding member Josh Balz on January 10, 2017. Balz, who had been with the band since 2006, cited the need for personal time to address challenges and burnout from a decade of relentless touring as his reasons for leaving. His exit reduced the group to a core quintet, with Balz's keyboard duties absorbed by the remaining members, including Cerulli handling additional synth layers. Vinny Mauro, who had joined as a full-time member in 2014 following a video audition where he performed tracks like "Puppets (The Circus)", "Immaculate Misconception", and "Reincarnate", provided continuity on percussion during this transition. Further changes came in 2018 when bassist Devin "Ghost" Sola announced his departure on May 4, attributing it to ongoing struggles that made continuing with the band's demanding schedule untenable. Sola, a member since 2012, was temporarily replaced by touring Justin Morrow, who had previously played with ; Morrow would become a permanent fixture in 2019. These departures shifted the band toward a leaner five-piece configuration focused on Cerulli, Ryan Sitkowski, Ricky "Horror" Olson, Mauro, and Morrow, emphasizing a tighter creative dynamic amid personal growth. To promote Graveyard Shift, the band embarked on their headline "Graveyard Shift Tour" in fall 2017, a North American run that kicked off on September 28 in and included support from acts like and Dead Rabbitts. In early 2018, they headlined another major U.S. tour with , , and as special guests, running from January 17 to February 24 and showcasing the album's heavier material live. These outings highlighted the band's evolving stage presence, with Cerulli's theatrical vocals and the group's intensified breakdowns drawing strong fan engagement. Critically, Graveyard Shift received praise for its heavier, downtuned guitar riffs and seamless integration of electronic elements, which added atmospheric depth without overshadowing the metalcore aggression. Reviewers noted tracks like "The Ladder" and "Necessary Evil" (featuring Korn's Jonathan Davis) as exemplars of this balance, commending the album's polished yet raw energy. Commercially, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard 200, selling 14,000 copies in its first week and underscoring the band's growing mainstream traction.

Disguise and commercial peak (2019–2022)

Motionless in White released their fifth studio album, , on June 7, 2019, through . The record was produced by frontman Chris "Motionless" Cerulli and , marking a sonic evolution that incorporated more pop-influenced choruses alongside the band's established foundation and electronic elements. Leading singles included "Disguise" and "Brand New Numb," both unveiled on April 17, 2019, with accompanying music videos featuring the group's signature horror-inspired visuals, including grotesque masks and supernatural themes. Additional singles like "Another Life" and "Thoughts & Prayers" followed, further showcasing the album's blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks. Disguise achieved significant commercial success, debuting at No. 27 on the , No. 2 on the Top Albums chart, and No. 4 on the Top Album Sales chart, with first-week sales exceeding 15,000 equivalent units. The album's performance solidified the band's rising profile in the rock scene, earning praise for its polished production and emotional depth, and it was included in Loudwire's list of the 50 best metal albums of 2019. This era saw the band continuing to adapt to the reduced lineup from previous transitions, with Cerulli incorporating keyboard elements into his performances to maintain the sound. The onset of the in 2020 disrupted the band's touring plans, forcing the postponement of the co-headlining Black and Blue Tour with and Stick to Your Guns, originally scheduled for spring. In response, Motionless in White pivoted to virtual engagements, including live-streamed performances and fan interactions, to sustain momentum amid lockdowns. As a creative stopgap, they released the Another Life / Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection EP on August 10, 2020, featuring reimagined acoustic and cinematic versions of tracks from , produced by Justin Deblieck and mixed by Steve Sopchak, allowing fans a more intimate connection during isolation. By 2021, as restrictions eased, the band resumed headlining tours, including a fall North American run with support from , , and , which allowed them to perform Disguise material live for the first time in over a year. These outings highlighted the band's resilience and growing fanbase, with setlists emphasizing the album's anthemic tracks amid a shift toward broader influences. The period culminated in sustained visibility through singles like the October 2019 release of "Masterpiece," a brooding that underscored their commercial peak before transitioning into new projects.

Scoring the End of the World and ongoing projects (2022–present)

Motionless in White released their sixth studio album, Scoring the End of the World, on June 10, 2022, through Roadrunner Records. The album was produced by Drew Fulk and Justin DeBlieck, marking a sonic exploration of apocalyptic and political themes, including critiques of societal issues like the COVID-19 pandemic response, capitalism, and social injustices. Notable guest appearances included Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose on the track "Slaughterhouse," alongside contributions from Mick Gordon on the title track and Caleb Shomo of Beartooth on "Masterpiece." A deluxe edition followed on September 8, 2023, expanding the original 13 tracks with four bonus songs: "Hollow Points," "Fool's Gold," "Timebomb (STEOTW Mix)," and "Another Life." Following the album's release, the band embarked on extensive touring, including their fall 2023 North American headlining run, "The Dark Horizon Tour," supported by , , and Alpha Wolf. They also headlined the second annual Apocalypse Fest on October 31, 2024, at in , featuring a diverse lineup of heavy music acts. In 2025, Motionless in White completed a European and headlining tour from January 25 in , , to March 10 in , with support from Fit for a King and , marking their first such run in over four years. At the third Apocalypse Fest on November 13, 2025, also at , they performed their 2012 album Infamous in full for the first time. During the event, frontman Chris Motionless announced that the band's seventh studio album is slated for release in 2026, with the lead single "" set for January 28, 2026. In April 2024, Cerulli had confirmed writing sessions were underway to build on their evolving sound. By October 2025, updates indicated an official announcement would come around the Apocalypse Fest. Complementing these efforts, Cerulli contributed guest vocals to DED's single "Until I Die," released on March 20, 2025, via , showcasing his collaborative reach within the scene.

Artistry

Musical style

Motionless in White's musical style is primarily rooted in , characterized by aggressive heavy riffs, breakdowns, and a blend of screamed and vocals delivered by frontman "Motionless" Cerulli. The band incorporates elements, such as dark, atmospheric synths and electronic textures, creating a sound that evokes horror and the . AllMusic classifies them within goth metal, heavy metal, and metalcore genres, highlighting their fusion of intense aggression with melodic hooks. This core approach is evident in their use of duality in Cerulli's vocal performance, alternating between screams for verses and soaring cleans in choruses, which adds emotional depth to tracks like those on their early releases. Over their career, the band's sound has evolved from a raw, straightforward foundation in their initial demos and debut full-length Creatures (2010), where vampiric imagery and motifs dominated alongside straightforward breakdowns, to a more expansive palette incorporating industrial and influences in later works. By Graveyard Shift (2017), co-produced by Cerulli and , they integrated orchestral swells and cyberpunk-inspired electronic elements, as seen in the symphonic undertones of the title track from Scoring the End of the World (2022). This progression reflects a shift toward polished production techniques, with Cerulli taking a hands-on role in and mixing starting from Graveyard Shift, allowing for intricate layering of synths and heavy instrumentation. In Disguise (2019), the style leaned further into with themes of identity concealment, using masked metaphors to explore personal facades through brooding, synth-driven arrangements. Lyrically, Motionless in White maintains a consistent focus on horror-inspired intertwined with personal introspection, addressing relationships, struggles, and elements. Albums like employ vampiric and nocturnal imagery to symbolize isolation and desire, while delves into emotional turmoil and self-acceptance, with songs like the title track examining the concealment of one's true identity amid societal pressures. themes recur prominently, as in "" from , which confronts the challenges of illness and self-doubt through raw, confessional writing. Cerulli's involvement in production from Graveyard Shift onward has enabled the inclusion of cinematic elements, such as the orchestral strings and piano in "Eternally Yours" from the same album, enhancing the band's thematic blend of dread and romance. This evolution culminates in Scoring the End of the World, where and symphonic sounds amplify motifs of and resilience, produced with collaborators like Mick Gordon to merge industrial aggression with expansive, filmic orchestration.

Influences

Motionless in White's sound draws heavily from the metalcore genre, with bands like Eighteen Visions and As I Lay Dying serving as key inspirations for their aggressive breakdowns and dual vocal approaches that blend clean singing with harsh screams. Guitarist Ricky Olson has cited Eighteen Visions' "Vanity" as a pivotal track, noting its breakdown as "the heaviest thing I’d ever heard," which influenced the band's early emphasis on rhythmic intensity and melodic hooks. Similarly, former bassist Devin "Ghost" Sola highlighted As I Lay Dying's "94 Hours" for its double-pedal drumming, describing it as "absolutely facking mental" that "blew my mind," shaping Motionless in White's technical percussion elements. Industrial metal acts have profoundly impacted the band's incorporation of electronic textures and atmospheric production. and Slipknot are among the collective influences cited by frontman Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, contributing to the theatrical electronics and extreme aesthetics in tracks like those on their debut album . is another cornerstone, with Cerulli explaining in interviews that the band's industrial edge allows Motionless in White to "combine all [their] influences" into a cohesive sound that merges heavy riffs with synth-driven atmospheres. Gothic and horror rock elements further define the band's dark lyrical themes and visual style, pulling from acts like HIM, , and . Cerulli has described these as foundational to the group's horror-infused narratives, blending gothic romance with metal aggression, as seen in their film-score-inspired songwriting. Cerulli's personal aesthetic draws from Tim Burton's films, evident in the band's theatrical visuals and music videos like "Another Life," which evoke Burton's gothic fantasy worlds. The band's influences have evolved over time, incorporating broader production techniques in later works. On Disguise (2019), producer Drew Fulk—known for his rock and hip-hop background—introduced modern production flair, including trap-influenced beats and layered synths that expand the choruses with pop accessibility while retaining industrial heaviness. This shift reflects Cerulli's interest in orchestral elements, as explored in classically inspired reimaginings of tracks like "Eternally Yours," drawing from film scores to enhance emotional depth.

Band members

Current members

Chris "Motionless" Cerulli founded Motionless in White in 2005 and remains the band's , while also contributing to production, guitar parts on recordings, and serving as the primary songwriter. Ryan Sitkowski joined as lead guitarist in 2008 and has been a constant presence on all studio albums, specializing in riff construction and guitar solos that define the band's heavy sound. Ricky "Horror" Olson joined in 2009 initially on bass before transitioning to and backing vocals in 2010; he provides clean vocals on select tracks and contributes to the band's visual artwork design. Vinny Mauro became the full-time drummer in 2017, bringing technical fills and high-energy performances to live shows and recordings following his earlier touring stint starting in 2014. Justin Morrow joined as bassist in 2019 after serving as a touring member in 2018, incorporating groove-oriented bass lines informed by his prior experience in bands like Ice Nine Kills and Volumes.

Former members

Motionless in White has undergone several lineup changes since its formation in 2005, with key departures influencing the band's evolution from its early demo era to its current configuration. Founding drummer Angelo Parente, who served from 2005 to 2013, contributed to the band's initial sound on their debut album Creatures (2010) and sophomore release Infamous (2012) before leaving due to the mental and physical strain of constant touring. His exit marked the first major shift, leading to temporary replacements during the recording of Reincarnate (2014). Keyboardist Josh Balz, a member since 2007, brought electronic elements to albums like Reincarnate (2014) and Graveyard Shift (2017), enhancing the band's atmospheric production. He departed in January 2017 after a period of introspection, citing personal challenges as the primary reason, which prompted the band to operate as a four-piece for several years. Bassist Devin "Ghost" Sola joined in 2011 and provided rhythmic foundation for Infamous (2012), Reincarnate (2014), and Graveyard Shift (2017), serving as the longest-tenured bassist during his run. Sola left in May 2018, explaining that a combination of personal circumstances had severed his connection to the band and himself, amid ongoing mental health struggles. Among earlier members, bassist Kyle White was involved from 2005 to 2006, contributing to the band's initial formation and early demos. Guitarist Mike Costanza served from 2006 to 2008, playing on early releases. Guitarist Thomas "TJ" Bell was involved from 2005 to 2011, contributing to the band's formative demos and extended plays like (2007) before departing to join . Bassist Frank Polumbo played from 2005 to 2009, handling both guitar and bass duties on early releases such as Demo (2005) and helping shape the initial sound. Drummer Brandon "Rage" Richter briefly filled in from 2013 to 2014, supporting live performances and the transition following Parente's exit, including parts of the Reincarnate cycle.

Discography

Studio albums

Motionless in White has released six studio albums to date, with their discography reflecting a progression from early metalcore roots to more expansive heavy metal soundscapes. The band's debut full-length marked their entry into major label territory, while subsequent releases under Fearless and Roadrunner Records achieved increasing commercial success, consistently charting on the Billboard 200.
AlbumRelease dateLabelBillboard 200 peakTracksRuntime
CreaturesOctober 12, 2010Fearless RecordsNo. 1751241:23
InfamousNovember 13, 2012Fearless RecordsNo. 531242:22
ReincarnateSeptember 16, 2014Fearless RecordsNo. 91247:23
Graveyard ShiftMay 5, 2017Roadrunner RecordsNo. 271243:58
DisguiseJune 7, 2019Roadrunner RecordsNo. 271244:15
Scoring the End of the WorldJune 10, 2022Roadrunner RecordsNo. 121240:18
Creatures, the band's debut studio album, introduced their signature blend of aggression and melody, featuring tracks like "Immaculate Misconception" and "Creatures," and sold modestly upon release. Infamous built on this foundation with a darker, more cinematic production, highlighted by singles such as "Devil's Night" and "If It's Dead, We'll Bury It," achieving the band's first significant chart breakthrough. Reincarnate represented a pivotal evolution, incorporating guest appearances from artists like and , and delivering hits including "Reincarnate" and "," which propelled it to the band's highest charting position at the time. The shift to began with Graveyard Shift, an album emphasizing thematic unity around loss and resilience, with standout tracks like "Loud (Fuck It)" and "" contributing to its strong debut performance. Disguise explored personal vulnerability and identity, produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, and maintained the band's momentum on the charts. Scoring the End of the World, co-produced by and Justin DeBlieck, addressed global turmoil and introspection, with singles like "" and "" driving its entry into the top 15; a deluxe edition released on September 8, 2023, added four bonus tracks, including "Hollow Points" and "Fool's Gold," expanding the original runtime to approximately 57 minutes. The band's seventh studio album is scheduled for release in 2026 via , with frontman Motionless describing it as a "spectrum of heavy to light and everywhere ," though full details on title, tracklist, and themes remain forthcoming.

Extended plays and demos

Motionless in White's earliest recording, a self-released demo album from 2005, featured three tracks—"Trace Out the Heart," "Bleed in Black and White," and "...Violets Are Blue"—showcasing a raw sound characterized by aggressive riffs and emo-tinged vocals, with limited distribution primarily to local audiences in . The demo served as the band's initial effort to establish their presence in the underground scene, recorded as a four-piece without keyboards, reflecting their Scranton roots and DIY ethos. The band's first professional recording, the EP , arrived in 2007 via Masquerade Recordings, comprising six tracks with a total runtime of approximately 19 minutes, including "The Whorror," "Schitzophrenicannibalisticsexfest.com," and "She Never Made It to the Emergency Room (Part 2)." This release marked a step up in production quality while retaining the chaotic energy of their demo, incorporating keyboard elements for the first time and helping secure tours that expanded their fanbase. In 2009, EP was issued through Tragic Hero Records, featuring five tracks clocking in at about 23 minutes, such as "Ghost in the Mirror," "Destroying Everything," and "Billy in 4C Never Saw It Coming." This EP bridged the band's raw early output to their impending full-length debut, blending metalcore breakdowns with gothic atmospheres and cleaner production that hinted at their evolving industrial influences. During the in 2020, Motionless in White released stripped-down acoustic versions of select tracks under , including a reimagined "Eternally Yours" as part of the Another Life / Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection EP, offering fans intimate renditions amid tour cancellations. This pandemic-era project highlighted the band's versatility, transforming high-energy hits into emotive, guitar-and-vocals arrangements while also covering ' "" in a full-band style single. In 2023, the band continued the Motion Picture Collection series with ": Ricky Motion Picture Collection," a single reimagining the track from Scoring the End of the World in an orchestral style. To mark the 10th anniversary of Reincarnate, Motionless in White released the Reincarnate: 10 Year Anniversary EP on September 13, 2024, via , featuring reimagined versions of select tracks from the album in a Motion Picture Collection format, emphasizing cinematic and atmospheric elements.

References

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