Within the Ruins’ Creature

Music-Reviewer.com

August 2009 Music-Reviewer.com

Within the Ruin’s Creature

Heather Gioia
Intern

Artist: Within the Ruins

Album: Creature

Label: Victory Records

Rating: 8 of 10

Keep your ears tuned in and your body ready to move because this is a band on constant attack. Get ready to lose yourself in the arsenal attack of Within the Ruins.

Formed in 2001 out of Massachusetts, Within the Ruins have been on constant attack. Creature, their first album is a complement of musical-attack after musical-attack, creating a complete assault to the ears. If you have been looking for an album that will get your blood pumping, your feet moving and place your body in a constant state of musical convulsions — Within the Ruins’ Creature is it.

Creature is a strong album full of energy that combines a multitude of brutal musical elements. From breakdowns and riffs that leave you in awe to off-the-wall tempo changes and a dash of personality, Within the Ruins has created an epic listening experience.

The Book of Books, track one, begins the musical journey into the musical talents of Within the Ruins. Kevin “Drummer” McGill provides a constant attack on drums throughout he album. While Joe Cocchi and Kyle Marcoux’s fast moving and jaw dropping guitar riffs are matched by the booming sound of Madison Roseberry’s bass. Instrumental talents all of which underlay Jon Grande’s deep demonic voice exemplifying his lyrical lines. The Book of Books is only the first page in Within the Ruins’ story book of life and its encompassing pain.

On an even stronger attack, Arsenal (track two) begins with a dark fast tempo which sets the passe for the rest of the the track. McGill is on constant attack with his double bass, as shot-after-shot is fired with brutal intensity on each beat. Within the Ruins is ready to bring their attack on the world as Arsenal captures the talents of each member. With constant lyrical and instrumental strength and power, Arsenal is only one of the many chapters of musical success.

As if that was not already enough, Within the Ruins continues on their war path with Dig a Ditch (track three). With a smooth and relaxing guitar opening, Dig a Ditch soon finds a more brutal sound when matched with attacking lyrics. Get ready to go crazy with Grande, while his deep dark lyrics are matched with dominate drum beats, attacking cymbal fills and exciting guitar riffs to create a painful demonic dark sound.

And on goes Call Off the Wedding (track four) and Extinguish The (track five), until your listening experience arrives at track six, Jump Ship. Sit back, relax and enjoy the instrumental journey of tempo and rhythmic changes. Jump Ship is one of two instrumental tracks contained on Creature which capture that talents of Cocchi, Marcoux, McGill and Roseberry as they attack a multitude of musical elements to create two unique listening experiences.

Creature (track seven), Tractor Pull (track eight) and Holly Mess (track nine) all continue to allow Grande’s demonic voice to shin. Returning to the extreme sound full of energy, dark and painful.

Yet, do not go thinking that each track is a new version of the last. Each track on Creature obtains unique musical and lyrical elements creating, simply put a musical-attack. The intensity never falls and each songs beat is just as strong as the last. Get ready to pop in Creature, to be lost in the album for weeks. Between the instrumental talents, the vivid and emotional lyrics and the pleasant demonic sound of Grande’s voice, Within the Ruin’s Creature is a must own album.

Corpus Christi’s The Darker Shades of White Heather Gioia

Music-Reviewer.com

August 2009 Music-Reviewer.com

Corpus Christi’s The Darker Shades of White

Heather Gioia
Intern

Artist: Corpus Christi

Title: The Darker Shades of White

Label: Victory Records

Rating: 8 of 10

Prepare to have headlines in local papers once again read, “Girl trampled at local religious concert,” followed by a sub-headline reading, “Corpus Christi headlines brutal concert.”

Let your demons out to the slightly demonic sound of Corpus Christi as they rock out with strong Christian lyrics and an attackingly brutal sound. Who ever thought that Christianity and metal were not to be mixed—oh they were wrong. Corpus Christi makes their mark on the Christian metal realm with their first album, The Darker Shades of White.

Starting off with a dark intense sound the Parade of Scars (track one) begins with Justin Evans’ intense drums, quickly followed by the demonic screams of Will Henry. The chorus is framed by soft guitars, carefully presenting their talents, as Henry attacks at your heart with a beautiful, unexpected, soft singing voice. Making sure you are hooked by the end of track one, Parade of Scars explores various tempos, build-ups and breakdowns, as well as various levels of screams and growls.

Opening on another strong note, It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn (track two) allows guitarist Jarrod Christman and Jon Pauly to set a strong beat. With powerful lyrics and the intense sound of Evans’ drums and Phil Smith’s bass, It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn is the second capturing note leading right into the third—Marilyn (track three). Using vicious drums that are responded to by brutal guitars, Marilyn is simply a capturing track. With enraged screaming and clean guitars which lead you into yet another brilliantly sung chorus, Marilyn uses unique musical elements to create an album favorite.

Seem to be over looking, or listening, all of the religious references and God in the lyrical lines of Corpus Christi? Well, just in case you missed the strong Christian lyrics about the struggle of life and the struggle to find God in it, Corpus Christi makes their point clear in Baptized in Fire (track four).

Capturing a different sound, Baptized in Fire tells a story about haven fallen to evil and searching for a way out.  With simple, yet strong instrumental lines, Henry’s levels of screaming fail to please ears, sounding more like a lost voice trying too hard, then the talented vocalist you heard on pervious tracks. Yet, the tempo slows down, the guitars become clean and pleasant, and before you know it, Baptized in Fire has an enjoyable and relaxing sound that washes away the burning memory of uncared for sounds.

Bring it back to fast beats and in-your-face openings, Until the Day (track five) builds up to an even more rapid instrumental tempo and experiments with drum and guitar call-and-response and distorted vocals to create yet another masterpiece. Strong lyrics and instruments lead into yet another glorious chorus with a slow tempo put to Henry’s angelic voice. While each track may follow a similar pattern, containing a softly sang chorus, Corpus Christi fails to find themselves falling victim to a bad case of repetition.

It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn, Marilyn and I Will Never Forget (track ten) take the cake as dominating songs. With lyrics you lose yourself in, hooks you find yourself singing by the end of the song and instrumental fills that pump the blood through your veins and make your feet move, prepare to be lost in each song. All are a masterpiece of demonic sounds clashing with an angelic voice and strong lyrics that require being played at a higher volume, lyrics to be belted and movement to the intelligent and talented instruments.

The Darker Shades of White holds a strong beat and intense sound from track one to the end of track eleven, Prodigal. Whether you are a fan of Christian metal or not, if you enjoy a heavy beat, demonic screams and the opportunity to rock out to talent, Corpus Christi’s The Darker Shades of White is well worth a listen or two… or maybe even purchase.