For 20 years, Motionless In White have had an ungodly flair for love, life, death and calling out the outcast creatures of society and giving them a loving, adoring home. And do you know why they are kings at doing this? Because they feel like that themselves. Their 2010 debut album is even called Creatures, a dark and spooky exploration of what the social norm would call different people in society, the goths, the alternatives who have a penchant for undying love for the horror genre. Almost 20 years later, Motionless In White have called back to that time of the band, reassuring us we will always have a home with them as long as we promise to never be afraid to show that side of us. No matter the judgment, the backlash or the dirty looks we sometimes get.
That spirit for us creatures is still being echoed two decades into the band’s career. Their latest single Afraid of the Dark is an ode back to shared dark times and the motivation MIW fans have given vocalist Chris Motionless to keep pulling through, even when times get tough and you feel like a character on the sidelines amongst such a judgemental world. Tonight is an exact celebration of the story that Afraid of The Dark portrays. A gathering of creatures assemble up at Alexandra Palace for a devils night filled with pure and unfiltered Valentine’s day love from your boyfriend, your girlfriend or Motionless In White as an entity. The band playing the role of a cute goth cupid, serenading you with heart healing blegh’s and sickeningly adoring lyrics for this entire date night.
First up on the Scranton band’s stacked line up, Melbourne’s Make Them Suffer (10) prove they are at the top of their game right now. Now armed with vocalist and keytar queen Alex Read, the Aussie outfit assemble on the stage for Ghost Of Me, opening things in stomping style below the bands MTS initials that announce their presence to the Ally Pally crowd. Co-vocalist Sean Harmanis brings the heavy screams and growling gutturals going into the band’s short seven song setlist, closing off with the boisterous Doomswitch, all the while Reade commands the stage with majestic stomps and hair whips like the goddess of this band she has become.
Second up, Dayseeker (8) deliver devastating blows of emotional turmoil, only to build it back up with addictive infatuation throughout their set. “We’ve been a band for over 14 years. When we first started, I felt a massive sense of hopelessness” tells vocalist Rory Rodriguez. But 14 years on, look where they are now. It’s been quite the time for Dayseeker; Coming off the back of their unapologetically emotional album Creature in the Black Night and now supporting their friends in Motionless In White packing out and selling out UK arenas. Throughout their set Dayseeker deliver a masterclass in songs with heartfelt emotive vocals such as Without Me to the devastatingly heavy blows Bloodlust attack us with. Dayseeker prove that amongst their emotive elements of emotional reflection, the band can still deliver outbursts of heavy chaos.
“It’s Valentines day after all, I wanna stare at you and adore you all for a second” lusts vocalist Chris Motionless moments after performing the career encapsulating love letter track Afraid of the Dark. Perhaps the most beautifully poignant moment in the bands’ set tonight that sets off Chris Motionless and a sea of fans in a flood of tears, tonight Motionless In White (10) don’t just wanna break your heart this Valentines day. With the exception of break up anthem Another Life that is. From making the packed out Ally Pally cheer in humoured fits of giggles to their OIIA OIIA cat stage opener to reminding you of everlasting affection in closer Eternally Yours, a moment for the loved up alternative couples in the room to share their adoring looks and gentle kisses. Motionless In White played the perfect date night hosts this evening. One thing is for sure, Motionless In White, you gave us creatures a place to call home in your music and for that honour, we will always be eternally yours boys.
Motionless In White’s Afraid Of The Dark tour continues across Europe until the 7th of March. For remaining date information and ticket info, please visit MotionlessInWhite.net.
