WITHIN THE RUINS — Creature (review)

WITHIN THE RUINS — Creature album cover Album · 2009 · Deathcore Buy this album from MMA partners
1.5/5 ·
topofsm
With the latest trend seeming to be to be as technical as possible (Possibly spurned by the surging popularity of BTBAM, Protest the Hero, and the growing 'djent' scene), -core type music has found a need to throw in more weird, off-time riffs and a few sweeps beetween chugs. It seems that we may be at a point where technical metalcore has stagnated. "Creature" by Within the Ruins may be a good example of that.

The album is filled with examples of -core music that drive metalheads away. Breakdowns with overuse of double bass pedals are frequent, along with monotonous screaming vocals reminiscent of Randy Blythe. This is apparent from the very opening song, "The Book of Books", which starts off with a couple of angular riffs and goes into a head-on blast, but then spends the rest of the song trudging around in breakdown territory.

Credit must be given when credit is due of course. Due to the technical nature of the band, the musicianship on "Creature" is well done. As mentioned, there are plenty of odd time signature riffs. You can't even blame the songwriting too much, because plenty of the songs progress in a manner very much like Protest the Hero, with plenty of changes in sections and tempo switches can occur on a dime.

It seems, though, that Protest the Hero's style has simply become the trend in standard metalcore, if "Creature" is any example. Along with the simple chord progressions and the endless breakdowns, off time riffs have just become a staple of the genre. Within The Ruins is hardly the cause of this trend, but they seem to have become a culmination and shining example of this style.

It is with this that I must only really recommend this album for metalcore fans who are looking for some more tech in their collection. For others, the elements may be too bland, too incoherent, and too standard.
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J-Man wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I'm not a big fan of this band either. Extremely uninspired stuff IMO. Sheer proof that technical capabilities do not = good music.

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