  
Now then, this right here is a band that I first
discovered through one of the many free Metal
Hammer compilation CD’s I have attained;
the song on display was a song from their debut
album, a fiery little track called “Abigail”
to which I found myself experiencing some initial
interest but then due to it not being a lasting
effect I actually forgot about them for months.
It was fate that lead me to rekindle that spark
as serious interest in the act came when I was
covering the Asking Alexandria UK tour back towards
the end of 2011 and their support set was absolutely
fantastic. After obtaining their debut studio
album “Creatures” and giving it a
thorough listening to, I came to the conclusion
they were stuck between the characteristic elements
of both metalcore and moderate deathcore, it was
enjoyable and fresh. Alas though another year
requires another bound of material, let’s
see what they have to offer us with “Infamous”.
Starting with that beast of an opening act “Black
Damask (The Fog)”, which is undoubtedly
an untamed aggressive beast at times but at others
takes a vocal twist as they push some clean and
some eerie, as well though at times they take
the “emo” whiney twinge in there but
it rarely rears its head. It does not prepare
you for what’s about to follow though, “Devil’s
Night” is definitely the best Motionless
in White song beating out the other 23 songs they’ve
written as in my eyes it just encompasses everything
the band stands for with their gothic image and
dark themes as it has the eerie backing sounds
and vocal melodies as well as that drop dead heavy
style, this style of composition is pretty much
the basis for the entire album and with a few
exceptions they pull it off perfectly.
“Puppets 2 (The Rain)” is another
one of my favourites but it’s definitely
got that Bleeding Through feeling with the ominous
keyboards and gritty vocals, it’s the overlaying
clean vocals that bring the distinction where
as the title track “Infamous” screams
Marilyn Manson at you, but none of these connections
are a sign of imitations just well placed influence.
When I say songs that don’t really work
the ones that jump out at me are “A-M-E-R-I-C-A”
and “Sinematic”; “Sinematic”
because it was just not as energetic as you’d
want, it’s down tempo and lacking the aggression
and melody that the rest of the album thrives
on and “A-M-E-R-I-C-A” falls under
the same flaw just not down tempo in this case.
“Hatefuck” is reminiscent of Dope,
the vocals have some kind of different electronic
effect on them as well as the deep machine like
guitar tones. Before this album I enjoyed Motionless
In White, thought their live set was pretty good
and their songs were fresh, but now I freakin’
love them! This material just really takes it
to another level with the angry gothic themes
and the way they adapt everything to make it more
ominous and fitting with their style, fantastic
work!
4.5/5
Review By James Webb
|
