Rumors are swirling around one of nü-metal’s strangest and most theatrical cult acts: Motograter may be reconnecting with their original frontman, Ivan Moody, more than two decades after the band first emerged from the early-2000s underground.
The speculation was sparked by Michael “The Kidd” Stewart, a former Motograter member best known for performing the band’s infamous custom-built instrument — a percussive, bass-like contraption made from industrial cables, guitar parts, and cranks. In a since-deleted social media post, Stewart appeared to hint that the band and Moody were once again aligned. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Motograter or Moody himself, leaving fans to parse breadcrumbs and memory.
Moody originally fronted Motograter in the early 2000s, lending his volatile vocal presence to the band’s 2003 self-titled debut. The album, released at the height of nü-metal’s commercial peak, featured tracks like “Suffocate” and “Down,” songs that blended tribal percussion, mechanical grooves, and an almost ritualistic sense of aggression. It was a record that positioned Moody as a rising force in heavy music long before he became a household name with Five Finger Death Punch.
Motograter’s brief initial run carried serious momentum. The band landed slots on Ozzfest and opened for Ministry, exposure that helped cement their reputation as a visceral live act. Their performances leaned heavily into spectacle, with band members appearing onstage covered in tribal-style body paint, turning each show into something closer to an industrial ritual than a conventional metal set.
Still, the project was short-lived. Moody departed soon after, ultimately finding massive commercial success with Five Finger Death Punch, while Motograter cycled through various lineups and periods of inactivity. A reunion between the two would mark a striking full-circle moment — not just for Moody, but for a band that helped introduce him to a wider audience.
For now, the possibility remains unconfirmed, hovering in that familiar limbo between nostalgia and reality. But in an era where long-dormant metal projects are finding new life, the idea of Ivan Moody stepping back into Motograter’s industrial thrum feels less like fantasy and more like a matter of timing.
