Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Dark Ruin - The Settlement 2003 Self Released

Track Listing1. War With Me 2. Distortion 3. Third World 4. Frontlines 5. Dark Ruin 6. Fallen 7. Down 8. All God's Children 9. Hellbent On Hatred 10. Origins Of A Deadly Disease 11. Grinding The Grain 12. Weeping Prophet

I'm not sure what to make of this whole New Wave Of American Heavy Metal scene, with so many metal-core bands crashing an already crowded party. With bands like Dying Fetus, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Lamb Of God forcing us all to understand math equations and jazz chords, I am really missing the days of old, when young, fresh bands like Death, Suffocation, and Benediction ruled the proverbial roost. In this day and age it is getting harder and harder to find a death metal band among all of the "extreme" acts. At the same time this year has been rather pleasant for great indy death acts. I've stumbled through the foliage and found groups like Spiral Madness and De Lirium's Order waiting in the wings, ready to take flight whenever the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately there isn't much room at the top for the good death acts, so we are left running amok in the mud, trying to locate those hidden treasures. Luckily, I found one at my local styling salon.

Yes, yours truly does care about personal hygiene. I found myself at the neighborhood salon getting my monthly "doo" when my hair stylist mentioned a local band called Dark Ruin. Maximum Metal did a feature on these guys a few months back, but dare I say I have never heard the group. She gave me a copy of their newest record, "The Settlement", and behold another death metal entry has been logged. Dark Ruin is a fine group of traditionalists hailing from Roanoke, Virginia. Their blend of deathy extremes is more of a European taste, one that folds precisely between the land of Konkhra and Bolt Thrower. One can even hear some semblance of Gorefest at times, struggling to break free completely from the hardcore elements that bind the band's sound in a tight delivery.

Vocalist Josh Cahoon is very much in the styling of Konkhra's Anders Lundemark, with a rough edge that borders on grind. The really great thing about these guys is their perfect chemistry together, really working like a tight cohesive unit through twelve tracks of traditional death metal. Gone are the frequent blast beats and math grooves, replaced by a genuine love for the simpler, ear friendly grooves of old. One can find hints of Pantera and Fear Factory, but for the most part Dark Ruin stay in the mid-80s, capturing a sound that many have forgotten, or just simply ignored. At times the band add in some cleaner vocals to add a bit more character and dimension to a "cornered" death sound. With some cuts the band haven't forgotten the soaring leads that made the 80s famous, with Moran and Dunagan combining to add some much needed melody at times.

There is really no need to analyze the songs in detail, let's just say that anyone who enjoys the works of Unleashed, Konkhra, Gorefest, Bolt Thrower, or early roots death metal should enjoy Dark Ruin. Their brand of "extreme" metal fits my traditional needs more so than the weekly Headbanger's Ball guests. This band seems to have a clear understanding of the basic fundamentals needed to create enjoyable music. Cheers to the old, and a tall glass raised for "The Settlement". Coming to a town near you...


--EC 11.23.04