Ruins | ‘Front The Final Foes’

More iron-cold and uncompromising extreme metal from Austrlia - and as usual, it’s harder and heavier than most. In point of fact, Ruins hail from Tasmania. Sonically though, they’re right there with the best of Gospel Of The Horns, Dawn Of Azazel, Destrotyer 666 and Portal.

Surprisingly, Ruins say they’re black metal. The description seems a bit wide of the mark. There’s no hiding behind weedy guitars for these guys. It’s a full on assault that’s as chunky as it comes, with an artillery drum performance and a strong voice commanding from the front.

Sonically, there’s much more in common with the likes of Darkmoon or Angelcorpse. If they’re Black Metal in outlook, very well - but they’ve moved on miles from the core sound of the genre. This is much more punishing.

The strident vocal is one of the band’s key strengths. Singer Alex’s growls come clearly through the mix, meaning this is a band that sounds as if it’s on a mission. Then there’s the blastbeats, which are incredibly satisfying volleys that retain crucial power when at their fastest. Check out the title track for some of that nailgun action.

There’s a markedly oppresive atmosphere that hangs over the album. It’s dark, considered, and quite chilling at points. Large sections of the album are devoted to an intense midpace, giving their murkier chords a chance to build tension.

Normally that would be something of a bore, but it’s evident that Ruins are into what they do. The result of that is a cold, irreverant album with a lot more personality than usual.
Uncompromising stuff, only this time with a perfectly clear and heavy production that let’s their skill shine.

3.9 / 5 - Ciaran Tracey ::: 20/12/09