Decades (Motionless in White album)

In August 2024, the band announced they had begun writing and recording a follow-up to Scoring the End of the World, but stated they would be "taking their time with it" to "write the coolest record" they could, originally aiming for a release in 2025.^[3] The album was recorded in Upstate New York and Los Angeles.^[4]

In November 2025, they announced while performing in Wilkes-Barre, that they would be releasing their first song in 4 years, and the album's first single, "Afraid of the Dark", in January 2026.^[5] The single released on January 28, 2026, and later became the band's first song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.^[6][7]

In early May, the band announced via social media they had finished working on the album and teased that the next single to release, "Playing God", would feature a surprise guest.^[8][9] "Playing God" was released on May 6, featuring Corey Taylor of Slipknot, alongside the announcement of the album's details including its title, Decades, and release date, July 17, 2026.^[1] The album's name was chosen as 2026 marks the band's 20th anniversary.^[1][10]

On June 17, the band released the third single, "R.I.P.", featuring guest vocals from Skylar Grey.^[11]

Three days before the album's release, on July 14, the band performed the first show of their Sweat and Blood North American tour, and debuted live performances of "R.I.P." and their cover of '80s synth-pop song "Sunglasses at Night" by Corey Hart.^[12][13] Cerulli had previously stated on a podcast with drummer Craig Reynolds that the cover was something he wanted to "do more than anything in the world," calling the song an "'80s icon song".^[14]

On the album's release date of July 17, the band also released "Fight Like Hell" as a single.^[15]

Decades has been described by critics as metalcore,^{[16][17][18][19]} melodic metalcore,^[20] alt metal,^[21] and hard rock,^[17][20] with elements of nu-metal,^[19][22] and djent,^[22] and influences from electronic, gothic, and industrial music.^[20]

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[23]
Blabbermouth.net	9/10[24]
Boolin Tunes	6.5/10[19]
Distorted Sound	8/10[25]
Kerrang!	4/5[21]
Metal Hammer	[26]
Out of Rage	9/10[20]
Sputnikmusic	1.5/5[27]
Wall of Sound	6.5/10[16]

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Decades received generally favorable reviews from critics.

Steve Beebee of Kerrang! praised the album, noting on its blend of genres, calling the album "kooky fun" and writing that it "is simply a celebration of all they do best".^[21] Kris Peters of Heavy Magazine, while not providing a summative analysis of the whole album, praised many of the album's tracks.^[17] Writing for Out of Rage, Zuzanna Pazola said the album "elebrates the band's past by proving they're still evolving", praising the band's refinement over the years.^[20] Tim Finch of The Razor's Edge said the band were "stepping up their game" praising the contrast between the album's heavier and softer songs.^[28] Anne Erickson of Blabbermouth.net also praised the album with a 9 out of 10 score, praising Motionless in White for not "playing it safe" and described the album as "darker, bigger and more adventurous, which says a lot coming from a group as adventures as they are."^[24] In a four star review for Metal Hammer, Dannii Leivers praised the album for its dark humour, summed up the album as "fun, memorable, satisfying" and expressed that it "feels like them".^[26]

Luke Nuttall of The Soundboard gave a fairly neutral review, stating the album "isn't the greatest hits album that its name implies, but is representative of the core spread that makes up Motionless in White".^[18] Adam Rice of Wall of Sound was slightly more critical, stating the increased use of electronics "hasn't won me over" though called it "ambitious" nonetheless, and praising some tracks for their lyrical content and industrial elements.^[16] Dean B. of Boolin Tunes's review was mixed stating he thought the band were "falling into a trap of their own repetition", writing that he felt the album's "twists and turns" became too cyclical.^[19]

In a negative review for Sputnikmusic, Caleb Robinson called the album a "misguided, directionless mess". He praised the opening track "Decades", but criticized the songs after for being "formulaic" and "suffer from the same fault of featuring cartoonishly macho, faux tough guy lyrics".^[27]

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[29]