Within the Ruins Creature
by Matthew Hoffman
Former Staff Writer
Within The Ruins’s debut album Creature features ten tracks 38 minutes, and is out now on Victory Records. The band from Westfield, Massachusetts plays metal-core and melodic death metal featuring odd time changes and unusual guitar runs throughout the disc.
The vocals of Jon Grande are average but fail to inspire in a genre full of enigmatic front men. Vocalists like Peter Dolving (The Haunted) and Pekka Kokko (Kalmah) stand out with their deliveries and unique tones, something Mr. Grande has yet to find.
The guitars of Joe Cocchi and Klye Marcoux show promise but never are allowed to truly shine on Creature as the “math” element of this mixed genre band rears its head and frankly ruins several of the songs.
The best thing about this disc is the drums of Kevin McGuill, who pounds out a sick percussion line from start to finish of the record.
The best four words to describe the disc in fact are “slightly kinky and mediocre” and with all the competition like Arsis, The Absence, Skeletonwitch, Children of Bodom and Arch Enemy the band needs to do better than that.
If they use their obvious talent towards creating a complete package centered on melodic death/thrash metal, bypassing the nonsensical pseudo-technical metal-core elements they should really succeed.
Real fans of metal aren’t attracted by the ridiculous insertions and breakdowns but want real melodies and “highly” technical guitar leads and solo work.
The music is “ok” and could possibly serve as a cool background disc at a frat party or cookout but sees few (if any) memorable moments.
This disc is reluctantly recommended for purchase, based on their future potential alone.
Label: Victory Records
Band Members
Jon Grande -Vocals
Joe Cocchi -Guitar
Klye Marcoux -Guitar
Kevin McGuill -Drums
Madison Roseberry -Bass
Track Listing
1. The Book of Books
2. Arsenal
3. Dig A Ditch
4. Call Off the Wedding
5. Extinguish Them
6. Jump Ship
7. Creature
8. Tractor Pull
9. Holy Mess
10. Victory
HRH Rating: 6.1/10