Motionless In White — Decades

On paper, all is well: 74/100 across six reviews for Decades, with an ecstatic Blabbermouth (9/10) finding the album « darker, bigger and more adventurous », and a Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, AllMusic and Distorted Sound quartet lined up at 8/10. Except at the back of the room, Sputnikmusic pulls a 3/10, hearing « a surprisingly low overall level of quality ». Awkward.

What unites the press is the unapologetic fun. Kerrang! sums it up: « Decades is quite simply a celebration of all they do best », praising « a band that loves dipping in and out of genre » that has « never done it so effectively ». Metal Hammer reckons Chris Cerulli and co. finally « escape the shadow of their influences ». The guests deliver: Corey Taylor on « Playing God », Skylar Grey on « R.I.P. », and an « Afraid of the Dark » Blabbermouth calls « heavy, theatrical and super addictive ».

The catch is the public: 59/100 from 641 ratings, fifteen points below the press. Between the stylistic splits that delight critics and tire some fans, and Sputnik’s hit job, the takeaway is simple: a very well-run gothic theme park, provided you like rollercoasters. Adjusted down to 7.