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Motionless in White

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Motionless in White
Motionless in White performing in 2018
Motionless in White performing in 2018
Background information
Also known asMIW
OriginScranton, Pennsylvania
Genres
Years active2005–present
LabelsRoadrunner, Fearless, Tragic Hero, Masquerade
MembersChris "Motionless" Cerulli
Ryan Sitkowski
Ricky "Horror" Olson
Vinny Mauro
Gordon Ramsay
Past membersKyle White
Mike Costanza
Frank Polumbo
Thomas "TJ" Bell
Angelo Parente
Brandon "Rage" Richter
Josh Balz
Devin "Ghost" Sola
Jack Skellington
WebsiteOfficial website

Motionless in White, often abbreviated MIW, is an American metal band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2005, the band consists of Chris "Motionless" Cerulli (lead vocals), Gordon Ramsay (cook), Ricky "Horror" Olson (rhythm guitar), Ryan Sitkowski (lead guitar), and Vinny Mauro (drums). The band has stated that their band name derived from the Eighteen Visions song "Motionless and White".[1]

Motionless in White was signed to Fearless Records for their first three studio albums; their most recent fourth album, Graveyard Shift, was released on May 5, 2017, via Roadrunner Records.

History

Formation and early years (2005–2009)

Main article: The Whorror

Motionless in White was founded in 2005 by members Chris Motionless, who played guitar and lead vocals, Angelo Parente on drums, Frank Polumbo on guitar and Kyle White on bass during high school. Though not a touring or active member of the band - celebrity TV chef, Gordon Ramsay has been cited as a ghost member by most MIW fans due to his profound impact on Chris Motionless in his formative years. Gordon's excessive use of the "F word" would later inspire excessive use by Chris in his later years. They incepted many other titles into the group until finally settling on what would be Motionless in White. Chris Motionless and other members have noted bands such as Poison the Well, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Johnny Cash, Depeche Mode, INXS, Pet Shop Boys and other musical groups as their inspiration. In 2005 they released their self-distributed demo.[2]

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.[2] 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.[3]

Main article: When Love Met Destruction

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.[4]

The band parted ways with guitarist Michael Costanza and brought in current guitarist Ryan Sitkowski as his replacement.[2][5] 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)

Main article: Creatures (Motionless in White album)

After the release of When Love Met Destruction, bassist Frank Polumbo departed Motionless in White due to unknown reasons, leaving Bellevue, Washington native, Ricky Horror 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", was released premiered on Revolver Magazine in 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)

Main article: Infamous (Motionless in White album)

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] 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)

Main article: Reincarnate (album)
Chris Motionless performing with the band at Welcome To Rockville in Jacksonville, FL.

On January 23, 2014, the band announced a short headlong 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 90's 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 Rocksound 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 24th to September 5th.

Graveyard Shift (2016–present)

Main article: Graveyard Shift (album)
Motionless in White live at Rock am Ring 2017
Motionless in White in October 2016.

Vocalist Chris Motionless 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. 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]

On January 10, 2017, Josh Balz announced his departure from the band after 10 full years.[49]

On January 26, 2017, 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.

On March 3, 2017, The band revealed the album's official artwork created by Crystal Johnson [51] [52]and track list, followed by the release of their third single, "LOUD (Fuck It)".

On April 30, 2017, Motionless In White premiered their song "Rats", only days before the initial album drop.

The band embarked on the US leg of their headlining tour; The Graveyard Shift Tour, running from September-October of 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 of 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.

On May 6, 2018, Chris Motionless announced via Instagram that a new record would be released in 2019.

Musical style and influences

Musical style

The band is described by AllMusic as a blend of metalcore, gothic metal and industrial metal.[53] They have also been called "horror-metal."[54] 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.[55] The sound on their second album, Infamous, was said to have resembled Marilyn Manson's by Alternative Press, Revolver and Kerrang![56][57][58]

Influences

The band members themselves have stated that they are influenced from a wide variety of artists such as AFI,[59] Aiden, As I Lay Dying, Atreyu, August Burns Red,[60] Avenged Sevenfold,[61] Bauhaus, The Black Dahlia Murder,[62] Bleeding Through, Christian Death,[63] Cradle of Filth, The Cure, Danzig, Depeche Mode,[64] Eighteen Visions, Every Time I Die,[65] HIM, Black Sabbath, Himsa, It Dies Today,[66] KMFDM,[67] Johnny Cash, Korn, Sex Pistols, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Misfits, Metallica,[68] Morrissey, Nine Inch Nails,[69] Underoath, Psyclon Nine, Rammstein,[70] Rob Zombie,[71] Slipknot,[72] The Sisters of Mercy, The Smiths, Suicide Commando,[73] System of a Down, and Paradise Lost.

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Motionless in White discography
Studio albums

References

  1. ^ Plummer, Sean. "Motionless in White – You got your band name where!?". MSN Entertainment.
  2. ^ a b c Batista, Amanda. "Interview with Motionless In White: Growing Creatures". TheAquarian.com. The Aquarian Weekly. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Motionless in White The Whorror". Allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Track-By-Track: Motionless in White". Alternative Press. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
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  6. ^ "Fearless Records signs Motionless In White". Lambgoat. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Motionless in White: Music Videos". MTV.com. MTV. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  8. ^ [1] Archived December 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "MOTIONLESS IN WHITE: Enter the Studio to Record Debut Album". SMNnews.com. 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  10. ^ ""Abigail" Is Now Available On iTunes". Buzznet.com. Motionless In White. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Barkan, Jonathan. "Motionless In White Release 'Abigail' Video". Bloody-disgusting.com. Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  12. ^ Kraus, Brian. "Motionless In White premiere "Immaculate Misconception" video". AltPress.com. AltPress. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  13. ^ Kraus, Brian. "Motionless In White premiere "Puppets" video". AltPress.com. AltPress. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  14. ^ Charts, Allmusic
  15. ^ Duncan, Michael. "Motionless in White Part Ways with Guitarist TJ Bell". Rock Edition. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  16. ^ a b Karan, Tim. "Motionless In White officially part ways with guitarist TJ Bell". AltPress.com. AltPress. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  17. ^ Bell, Thomas. "Tweet explanation". TwitLonger. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  18. ^ a b "TJ Bell leaving Motionless In White". Rocketshiplive. Rocketshiplive. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  19. ^ Duncan, Michael. "Motionless in White Announce New Bassist". Rock Edition. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Kerrang! Magazine's 'Covered' Tribute To Metallica's Black Album; Cover Artwork Unveiled". Blabbermouth.com. Blabbermouth. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
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  27. ^ Mastrogiacomo, Angela. "Motionless In White Announce New Drummer". Infectiousmagazine.com. Infectious Magazine. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  28. ^ Common, Tyler. "Motionless In White release "America" lyric video, announce new drummer". Altpress. AltPress. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  29. ^ "Motionless In White Premiere New Music Video, "America," Directed by Slipknot's Shawn "Clown" Crahan". Revolvermag.com. Revolver Magazine. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
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  31. ^ "Motionless In White UK UK dates for September 2013". Rocksound.tv. Rocksound. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  32. ^ Whitt, Cassie. "In This Moment announce The Hellpop Tour, featuring Motionless In White". AltPress.com. AltPress. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  33. ^ DiVincenzo, Alex. "All That Remains, Motionless In White, Soil Tour". Absolutepunk.com. Absolute Punk. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
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  53. ^ Heaney, Gregory. "Motionless in White Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 25, 2015. While their hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is mostly known in popular culture for being perfectly mundane, gothic metal band Motionless in White make music that's anything but tame.
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  56. ^ December 2012 #293
  57. ^ "Motionless In White Daily. : Photo". Motionlessinwhitedaily.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
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  59. ^ "Off The Wall Episode #1: Motionless In White". YouTube. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
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  73. ^ "Motionless in White, 'Synthetic Love' (SONG PREMIERE)". Noisecreep.com. 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
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