Mind Equals Blown

Without a doubt, one of the most technical and creative bands in the usual bland hardcore scene is Within The Ruins. Now, if you haven’t ever listened to this band, go up to your URL bar, and type in YouTube.com. Look them up before this gets read. You can’t appreciate what I say without listening to their older stuff. If I hear about you reading this before you listen to their first album, I’ll be under your bed when you get home.

Where was I? Oh, spot on, I was about to relate to you my opinion of Within The Ruins’ newest album entitled Invade. This… this is beautiful to say the least. As a long time fan of Within The Ruins, I’m gonna say this doesn’t surpass their former release, but it easily matches it. The sound is the same. You hear the technical riffage, with very nice sound quality on the drums, and even though the computer-enhanced guitar sound is edgy to most, be quiet. It still takes talent. Did I mention that they pull off all those pinch harmonics and techy guitar riffs in G tuning? Most bands play in Drop C in this scene, an occasional A… G is like playing with a string between two toothpicks. It takes so much talent its ridiculous.

Now, what gives this the Within The Ruins sound we love, of course the risque’ computer editing on the guitars. But I’m gonna have to say the drum patterns are strikingly similar, and I like how its not all just double bassing and gravity blasting like most deathcore bands. There’s nice single bass hits, and very well placed 808′s. I truly love it. OH! And they still do the best bendy riffs out of any band <3. While I’m still on the instruments, I figure it’d be nice to mention that Within The Ruins has the greatest drum tuning, and the most perfect cymbals. This is techy, progressive metal, and it deserves to be on the radio, not that Nickelback shit. Welcome to real life.

Now, a big change… the vocalist has gotten better in my opinion. His lows have become much heavier and less throatier which is a great improvement. However, the mastering in a few sections, it overpowers the instruments a little too much for my taste.

Back to the rest of the band: again, you better have listened to their earlier stuff. I enjoy the short little bursts of higher notes they throw in (a good song to look for this in would be “Invade” or their instrumental track, “Ataxia”). Its not riff breakdown riff breakdown riff SOLO breakdown. Its about all technical. The grooves are wicked, with perfection oozing from the sides. If I could compare this band to a biblical figure… it would be God.

I wish I could marry this album… but alas I can’t. With a big name to live up to, Within The Ruins didn’t disappoint. I must say, this is one of the sickest, right with The Burial and For Today‘s newest albums, this one will be played quite a bit in my basement. I love it, utterly and sheerly. Buy this album. If you don’t, I have no threats, just a lot of pity.

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