PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
The Graveyard Shift is an album I have been impatiently waiting for to be released this year; since that first glimpse Motionless In White gave us with 570 9 months ago it’s had my interest, after months of waiting I am pleased to say I was not disappointed.
Immediately I was drawn in and intrigued by the striking album art, it’s a really powerful image; Motionless In White ran a fan competition to design the album artwork which was won by Crystal Johnson. A lot has been going on with Motionless In White in the last year, from losing keyboardist and member of 10 years Josh Balz, to signing to major label Roadrunner Records, I was keen to see how this period of change would affect Motionless In White.
Kicking off with Rats straight into synths that build into a stomping riff, this track embodies everything I love about Motionless in White. From all out in you face riffs, to stripped back verses with Chris Motionless’s vocals seducing you into the dark world of Motionless In White, from start to finish this track is a dark delight. Leading into ‘Queen for Queen’ I find myself really appreciating the production of ‘The Graveyard Shift’ the mix is just spot on, every aspect complementing the rest making it pack a lot of punch just as Motionless In White do so perfectly live.
On seeing the next track Necessary Evil features guest Jonathan Davis I was buzzing with anticipation. The intro combination of synths and drums had a very industrial feel to it and put me in mind of Rammstein, this contrasts so much with the chorus the synths used here reminded me of one of my favourite bands The Birthday Massacre. An absolute highlight on the album with a crazy mishmash of styles, and Chris Motionless and Jonathan Davis’s vocals working together to create something special that is a hell of a treat for the fans.
Soft ironically is the heaviest track so far; an assault of guitars and fast paced drums perfectly paired with the heavier growls of Chris Motionless. Something I have always admired about Chris is how much range vocally he is capable of. It feels like each album has been a journey and new challenge vocally, as there is always something new and inspiring from each album to the next. Continuation has always been a theme present on past Motionless In White albums; The Graveyard Shift follows this theme with Not My Type: Dead As Fuck 2. Again just a hellish combo of the synths and drums working together to make this another fist in the air anthem with the tag line “if she’s got a pulse, then she’s not my type…”, a great follow-up to one of my favourites the original Dead As Fuck from the last album Reincarnate.
Voices is another contender as my favourite track on the album; it gets its claws in you, there is something nostalgic yet new about the overall feeling of this song. I found myself singing along to it constantly since my first listen. Yet another track showing the diversity Motionless In White are capable of. The diversity on this album keeps me interested and always wondering what is still yet to come.
My favourite track that we were treated to early is LOUD (Fuck It) from the intro riff I am sold on this song and what a powerful song it is, I really hope we get them back in the UK soon so I can witness this song live. The song and music video just have everything I love about this band, they dare to be a little different; the imagery and the music working together to create such artistry.
Picking up the pace with 570 which was the first taste we got of The Graveyard Shift, a complete contrast to the previous song and more reminiscent of the style of Creatures and Infamous especially in the verses. Finishing off The Graveyard Shift is Eternally Yours which was unveiled with a lyric video earlier in the year. Again another example of the perfect mix of powerful riffs, contrasting synths Chris Motionless’s incredibly huge vocal range.
The Graveyard Shift is what I can best describe as a dark and varied horror metal treat. It shows how much Motionless In White have grown and evolved as a band over the years to produced their strongest, most diverse and well produced album to date.
Members –
Chris Motionless – All Vocals
Ricky Horror – Guitar
Ryan Sitkowski – Guitar
Devin “Ghost” Sola – Bass
Links –
- £8.99
