Massachusetts technical death metal act Within the Ruins have been quite busy since emerging on the scene in 2006 with their debut EP Driven By Fear. A few more EPs & full length CDs plus some line-up changes have brought them to Phenomena here in 2014, an adventurous album that sees the band trying some new things to try and stay fresh. Fear not, their reckless brand of dazzling technical deathcore is still in place, so if you love the way they can craft intricate passages in between all the pummeling rhythms and brutal breakdowns, that hasn't changed much. What is different this time around is the inclusion of industrial as well as what I can only call 'video game soundtrack noodling' to some of these songs. A tune like "Eternal Shore" bludgeons the listener with crushing riffs and complex, zig zagging guitar passages, a trademark of the band, but "Clockwork", "Hegira", and "Gods Amongst Men" feature those little video game sounding elements, which at first seems somewhat bizarre but eventually begins to make sense and blend right in. "Sentinel" is another brutal track, one that could almost be the soundtrack to a violent sci-fi or horror game with its haunting keyboard & guitar effects, evil growls, and punishing riffs & rhythms. Joe Cocchi's expert guitar technique is in full force on the jaw dropping "Ataxia III", a blazing progressive metal instrumental that shows just how skillful this band is. Fans of those familiar deathcore breakdowns will love "Enigma", and both "Ronin" & "The Other" seem to borrow a bit from the Meshuggah and Gojira playbook of complex poly-rhythms and massively deep grooves. Props have to also go to bassist Andrew Tate and drummer Kevin McGuill, both of whom do a fantastic job on this CD, and of course, Tim Goergen does his part by screaming & growling all over the top of all the mayhem.
You have to give Within the Ruins credit for trying to add some new elements into their sound here on Phenomena. If you were impressed with 2013s Elite, this is the band taking the next step in their evolution.
Track Listing
1) Gods Amongst Men
2) Clockwork
3) Eternal Shore
4) Dark Monarch
5) Sentinel
6) Ataxia III
7) Enigma
8) Hegira
9) Ronin
10) The Other
11) Calling Card
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