Review: Ruiner
Band: Ruiner
Album: Hell is Empty
Label: Bridge 9
Release Date: 9/22/2009
Genre: Hardcore
Rating: 
4/5
by Shane Stiles
Since starting a few years ago in the heart of Charm City, Ruiner has been blowing through the hardcore scene. Their debut record What Could Possibly Go Right was the soundtrack for any/every angst ridden kid who just wanted to scream at the top of their lungs. You can’t just gloss over what that album was. Then with Prepare to Be Let Down, they expanded their sound slightly but enough draw just a bit more melody into the equation. Was this a small change or a sign of things to come? It was an ominous vision, no one could possibly know that Hell is Empty was going to be the next offering from the band. It’s only so often that we’re given a record where the band steps out of what’s comfortable. Creating an undeniably dark record that has just as much melody as it does fury, Ruiner has crafted a gem.
It seems like this five piece has decided that something between Modern Life is War, The Hope Conspiracy and Murder City Devils is what they wanted to accomplish, and as sure as the sky above, they got it done. As much as I love hardcore, we always need people to step outside of the box and give us something that may not necessarily be groundbreaking (see You and I, Ink and Dagger, Countervail, etc.) but it’s a much welcome change from the sound that we’re being offered by everyone else. When partnered with the heartbreaking lyrics of Rob Sullivan, the music on Hell is Empty is timeless, worthy of multiple listens and easy to revisit. From the track “Part Two” Sullivan says “Some good things aren’t meant to be. Nothing is meant for me. There’s no fairy tale ending, there’s no happily ever after. You just live, you just die. Maybe you’re a lucky one.” it’s obvious the emotion that he puts into each track he writes, it’s conveyed not only vocally but musically.
If you’re looking for jams with fast two step beats rivaled by brooding darkness, Ruiner is where you need to be settling down at. This album easily jumps in the top 10 hardcore records of 2009.
Track Listing:
01. I’m Out
02. Two Words
03. Dead Weight
04. Part One
05. Part Two
06. Meat
07. Constrictor
08. Loneliest Of Hearts
09. Convenient Gods
10. Solitary
