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. With a sound, at the time, being influenced by alternative rock, emo and post-hardcore bands, they then changed to melodic metalcore and gothic metalcore sound.
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 TJ Bell were added to the band as the new guitarists, moving Chris Motionless solely to lead vocals.
In 2007, they recorded their first EP The Whorror and released it the same year through Masquerade Recordings. 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. It 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.
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" Olson as their new permanent bass player in October 2009. Months later, Motionless in White entered the studio during May 2010 to record their debut full-length, Creatures, released in October 2010 through Fearless, and claimed the 175th slot on the Billboard Top 200 charts, and No. 6 on the Heatseekers chart.
In early 2012, Motionless in White contributed to the Kerrang! Metallica The Black Album: Covered on the song, "My Friend of Misery."
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. On September 25 "Devil's Night" was released as the first single for the album. On November 13 2012, the music video for the single "Devil's Night" was released, along with the full album itself. 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. On April 23, the band released the third single from Infamous, "America", accompanied by a lyric video. On June 3, another video, directed by Slipknot percussionist Shawn Crahan, was released for the single. 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.
On 2014, February 5, the band confirmed that they covered "Du hast" by Rammstein for the Punk Goes... compilation series, Punk Goes 90s Vol. 2. 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, also included featured artists such as; Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth in "Puppets 3 (The Grand Finale)", Maria Brink of In This Moment in "Contemptress" and Tim Sköld in "Final Dictvm".
In early 2016, vocalist Chris Motionless has stated that their new album will not be released through Fearless Records. 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. The album also features a collaboration with Korn frontman Jonathan Davis on the song "Necessary Evil". On January 26, the band released the second single from Graveyard Shift, titled "Eternally Yours". A day later, it was revealed that Graveyard Shift is set to be released on May 5, 2017. On March 3, the band released their third single, "LOUD (Fuck It)".
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. 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". On May 10, the band released their third single "Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride" and its corresponding music video. 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".
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. On September 9, the band released their cover of The Killers' "Somebody Told Me" on streaming music services. On October 23, 2020 the band released a single "Creatures X: To The Grave" in celebration of the Creatures 10th anniversary. The era-defining song is a true throwback to the album that helped start it all for Motionless In White. Chris Motionless revealed that “Creatures X: To The Grave” was inspired by “Creatures” and has similar elements to the original song that fans will easily recognize. To further celebrate the milestone, Motionless In White hosted a special deadstream event that happened on October 28, where they performed Creatures full for the first time ever. During the performance, they also debuted “Creatures X: To The Grave” live for the fans that tuned in.
On May 14, 2021, the band released “Voices: Synthwave Edition” a mellowed out and haunting version of the song “Voices” off their 2017 album, “Graveyard Shift.”
This latest addition to their discography is the last of what they call their “2020 Quarantine Experiments.”
After celebrating the ten year anniversary of their debut album 'Creatures' with their first one deadstream, Motionless In White announced the details of a second 'deadstream' event.
On June 9, the band performed at the Pennhurst Asylum in their home of Pennsylvania. A building with a dark and distressing past, it is also said to be one of the most haunted spots in the whole state. Set against the backdrop of beautifully sculpted stone angels, shadow-filled windows, and creaking lanterns, the deadstream at the Pennhurst Asylum was a dream come true to the band according to the lead singer Chris Motionless.
On July 1, they released the music video for Thoughts & Prayers, the last one off their album Disguise released in 2019.
On August 20, Motionless in White released a new song called "Timebomb". An accompanying music video, which was directed by Logan Beaver.
Motionless in White frontman Chris "Motionless" Cerulli stated about the track: "We are really excited to release a new piece of music to bridge the gap between all of the COVID downtime and our next record coming in 2022. 'Timebomb' felt like a great stand-alone track to touch on the heavier side of the band and to give fans something to headbang to during our return to touring this September. It feels so good to be getting back to work, and 'Timebomb' feels like a perfect way to celebrate the 'next normal.'"
On March 11th, Motionless in White have just announced the details of their new album, Scoring the End of the World and have debuted a music video for the lead single, "Cyberhex."
Singles
2009 - Ghost in the Mirror
2010 - Abigail
2011 - Creatures
2011 - Immaculate Misconception
2012 - Puppets (The First Snow)
2012 - Devil's Night
2012 - If It's Dead, We'll Kill It
2013 - AMERICA
2014 - Reincarnate
2014 - Dead as Fuck
2015 - Break the Cycle
2016 - 570
2017 - LOUD (Fuck It)
2017 - Rats
2017 - Eternally Yours
2017 - Necessary Evil
2018 - Voices
2019 - Disguise
2019 - Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride
2019 - Brand New Numb
2019 - Another Life
2021 - Thoughts & Prayers
2021 - Timebomb
2022 - Cyberhex
The Ladder
Motionless in White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You infiltrate to destroy
Vanity, a cancer unforgiving
A charlatan with poise
Fool me once, enough is enough
Was I more than a step on your way up?
Hollowed out, I've no semblance of love
Lest we learn, the tables turn, so I'm betting out, I'm betting out
You can be the prey in your masquerade, but I'm getting out, I'm getting out
There's nothing left to repair
Ravenous, self righteous and lurid
But how much more 'til you break?
Scavenger, so fucking undeserving
You slither in just to take what you can take
Counterfeit, I'm calling your bluff
Was I more than just a step on your way up?
Now you'll burn and you're flesh out of luck
Now you're just somebody that I used to fuck
Lest we learn, the tables turn, so I'm betting out, I'm betting out
You can be the prey in your masquerade, but I'm getting out, I'm getting out
Against insight I fed your source of revenue
But now, it means nothing to me to mean anything to you
Open grave, I was too blind to see
That love, spelled to you, is F-A-M-E
You fuck your way up the ladder
Going down on your way to the top
Do your arms ever tire?
Or do they heal while you climb with your mouth?
Delete everything
Sever the yearning, you can keep the fucking ring
Delete everything
You can keep the fucking ring
Nothing left to repair
The lyrics to Motionless in White's song "The Ladder" describe a toxic, manipulative relationship filled with betrayal and hurt. The theme of the song is summarized in the following lines, "Tragedy, a poisonous lover; You infiltrate to destroy; Vanity, a cancer unforgiving; A charlatan with poise". The singer is left hollowed out with no semblance of love and has been used sexually and emotionally. The chorus reveals the singer's determination to leave the relationship with the line, "Lest we learn, the tables turn, so I'm betting out, I'm betting out". The last verse contains a powerful metaphor, likening the woman's climb up the ladder of fame to oral sex, "Do your arms ever tire? Or do they heal while you climb with your mouth?" The song ends with resignation, "Nothing left to repair".
The lyrics of "The Ladder" suggest a toxic, one-sided relationship where the singer is being used and manipulated. This theme is reflected in the song's title, "The Ladder", which symbolizes the climb to the top of the entertainment industry. The lyrics condemn the singer's partner for her insatiable hunger for fame and her willingness to use sex to achieve it. In the end, the singer is left despondent, with no love or hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Tragedy, a poisonous lover
The negative events that have occurred are a powerful and destructive force
You infiltrate to destroy
You deliberately entered my life with the intention of causing harm
Vanity, a cancer unforgiving
Your need for admiration and attention is insatiable and destructive
A charlatan with poise
You present a false persona of confidence and charisma
Fool me once, enough is enough
I have been deceived by you before and I no longer tolerate it
Was I more than a step on your way up?
Did you see me as anything more than a tool to achieve your own success?
Hollowed out, I've no semblance of love
I am depleted and empty of any ability to experience love
Now you're just somebody that I used to fuck
I no longer have any emotional connection to you beyond the physical
Lest we learn, the tables turn, so I'm betting out, I'm betting out
If we do not learn from experience, the roles will switch and I choose to exit the destructive cycle
You can be the prey in your masquerade, but I'm getting out, I'm getting out
You may continue to pretend you are the victim, but I am choosing to disengage and move on
There's nothing left to repair
There is no opportunity or desire to fix or heal the damage caused
Ravenous, self righteous and lurid
You have a never-ending hunger for self-righteousness that is unappealing and sleazy
But how much more 'til you break?
How long will it take for your cruel and selfish behavior to catch up with you?
Scavenger, so fucking undeserving
You are scavenging for attention and success that you have not earned
You slither in just to take what you can take
You sneakily enter situations in order to exploit and take advantage
Counterfeit, I'm calling your bluff
You are a fake and I am stating it clearly
Now you'll burn and you're flesh out of luck
Your actions will result in your own downfall and there will be no one to save you
Against insight I fed your source of revenue
I provided resources and support to you despite my better judgment
But now, it means nothing to me to mean anything to you
Your approval or validation no longer holds any value or importance to me
Open grave, I was too blind to see
I was so blinded by your deceit that I did not see the grave I was falling into
That love, spelled to you, is F-A-M-E
Your version of love is actually just a desire for fame and recognition
You fuck your way up the ladder
You use people and manipulative tactics to climb the social hierarchy
Going down on your way to the top
You are engaging in inappropriate behavior to gain power and success
Do your arms ever tire?
Do you ever feel guilty or exhausted for the harm you cause?
Or do they heal while you climb with your mouth?
Do you actually become more powerful and influential as you continue to deceive and manipulate?
Delete everything
Erase all traces of the past, including memories and physical objects
Sever the yearning, you can keep the fucking ring
End the desire for what once was and you can keep the physical symbol of our relationship
You can keep the fucking ring
The physical symbol of our relationship no longer holds any value or meaning to me
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Cerulli, Drew Fulk, Michael Kenney, Richard Allen Olson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AthenaVonDehl
Lyrics:
Isn't that what everyone wants to know
Pretty new girl walks into a room, everyone's head turns
Looks her up and down wondering who's she fucking
Who could she fuck
And how high could she climb
And is it higher than me
Tragedy, a poisonous lover
You infiltrate to destroy
Vanity, a cancer unforgiving
A charlatan with poise
Fool me once, enough is enough
Was I more than a step on your way up?
Hollowed out, I've no semblance of love
Now you're just somebody that I used to fuck.
Lest we learn, the tables turn,
so I'm betting out,
I'm betting out.
You can be the prey in your masquerade,
but I'm getting out,
I'm getting out
There's nothing left to repair
Ravenous, self-rightious, and lurid
But how much more till you break?
Scavenger, so fucking undeserving
You slither in just to take what you can take
Counterfeit, I'm calling your bluff
Was I more than just a step on your way up?
Now you'll burn and you're flesh out of luck
Now you're just somebody that I used to fuck
Lest we learn, the tables turn,
so I'm betting out,
I'm betting out.
You can be the prey in your masquerade,
but I'm getting out,
I'm getting out
Against insight I fed your source of revenue
But now, it means nothing to me
to mean anything to you
Open grave, I was too blind to see
That "love", spelled to you is
"F-A-M-E"
You fuck your way up the ladder
Going down on your way to the top
Do your arms ever tire?
Or do they heal while you climb with your mouth?
Delete everything
Sever the yearning,
you can keep the fucking ring
Delete everything
You can keep the fucking ring
Lest we learn, the tables turn,
so I'm betting out,
I'm betting out.
You can be the prey in your masquerade,
but I'm getting out
Against insight I fed your source of revenue
But now, it means nothing to me
to mean anything to you
Nothing left to repair
@Medusatheferal
did you ever just love a band so much no words could even begin to describe how much?
@relentlessgaming8557
literally how I feel when listening to motionless
@andreaolesya3303
Me with this band. 😍😭
@gengraves8423
My feels toward this band since '09.
@Medusatheferal
yes!
@XXzombieslayer666
Justina M right? This album is so fucking amazing. jammed this and slaughter to prevail's all yesterday
@Yourfinaltragedy
2:27-3:13
You can just feel the anger. I love it.
@luceroguzman2858
THIS IS MOTIONLESS IN WHITE
@claudemeunier85
Lucy Lenore Morticia Stephens meh
@ramyfiyad8564
The real MIW died after Creatures. don't get me wrong, Infamous was great and Reincarnate was good but GS isn't. They used to be heavier and less industrial but since Infamous they've been getting less heavy and more industrial. this song is the only song in a while that actually has a Creatures vibe and that's why i like it.