There's a new player on the Victory Records roster, Massachussetts' very own Within the Ruins. Very much pleased with the success of Between the Buried and Me, Victory jumped on the chance to sign this up and coming extreme progressive metal band, and their soon to be released debut CD for the label, Creature, is sure to be a hit with the technical metal crowd clamoring for blazing guitar solos, crushing riffs, brutal breakdowns, jackhammer drum blasts, complex arrangements, and serious growling vocals. Sea of Tranquility Publisher Pete Pardo caught up with WtR guitarist Joe Cocchi,who shared some info on the band's history, their signing to the label, and the upcoming CD.

SoT: First of all, congrats on signing to Victory! Can you talk a little bit about how the band got together, leading up to you hooking up with the label?

Joe: Thanks! The band actually started around 2002 when we were inhighschool. We started to pick up and really work at it full time around 2005. We recorded 3 EPs and did a good 1 and 1/2 years of touring on our own until we heard from the label, which was in August of this year. Like any other band, we've gone through tons of members and lots of other shit.

SoT: What are some of the band's influences?

Joe: We listen to everything new that comes out. Probably all the same shit that every other kid listens to in this style of music.

SoT: There's a lot of technical bits mixed in with crushing breakdowns and some almost death metal attitude in your music. How hard is it to combine progressive metal, hardcore, and death metal all into one seamless sound?

Joe: Eh, i don't see writing as a being task per say. Its not hard at all actually, that's just how it comes out you know? We don't like sit down and say "ok, lets do this" or "lets make it sound like this and that" It just happens. There's lots of interesting and pretty "weird" shit on this new ablum. We can't wait to see how people react to this stuff once its out!

SoT: Can you talk about the upcoming CD Creature? What can fans of the band, as well as those who have never heard you, expect?

Joe: We're so pumped about this CD is unexplainable! I think fans we already have will need to take a few listens to adjust, because its definately more technical and alot more in depth than our last EP "empires," but its still along the same lines. On our last CD, we kind of held ourselves back, keeping in mind that we wanted to be able to replicate the songs when we played them live. With CREATURES, it was just like "fuck it, let's go all out" It's a fun album to listen to as you will soon see!

SoT: How is the metal scene up in Massachussets these days?

Joe: I think it gets stronger every year. Lots of great bands around here, and tons of new bands. Shows are fun.

SoT: It looks like the band has been gigging pretty regularly-who are some of the bands that you've shared the stage with?

Joe: Bunch a bands actually, we've been touring with the dudes in SHE IS A LIAR for a little while now which is always a kick ass time!

SoT: When is the new CD coming out, and what are the band's immediate plans following the release?

Joe: The CD is set to drop Feb. 17th 2009. We are planning on hitting the road in March and hopefully not coming home until its time to write the next record!

http://www.myspace.com/withintheruins

Pete Pardo