All Hail The Ruin - Vultures [EP]

Glasstone Records

October 31, 2009, 12:59 AM

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Furiously fighting filthy fingering with fret fundamentalism, All Hail The Ruin have an impressive EP with “Vultures.” More metal than the Sabbath concert your dad saw on acid with his buddy George back in the day, All Hail The Ruin have a deft gift for the manipulation of tech metal and interesting composition. Like a giant dildo crashing into the sun, All Hail The Ruin left me breathless and confused. Breathless with heady expectancy of future endeavours from these Birmingham, UK boys, and confused as to the uncertain future of the group. What do I mean, you ask? Wouldn’t you like to know! Wouldn’t it make everything so much easier if I just made sense! Fine! Fine your fucking majesty I’ll fill you in!

With the recent (September 2009) loss of vocalist Morgan Todd, and Bassist Jamie Dutton, the remaining members have had their hands full with recording a new album on top of trying to fill these men’s shoes. Most affected, surely, must be the loss of Todd. An excellent screamer, with the edge of late night infomercial knives, Todd’s unique vocal style adds dimension to “Vultures” a lesser vocalist could not accomplish. It’s with this sense of trepidation in mind I’d advise All Hail The Ruin to decide carefully in their selection process, though I’m sure this goes without saying. It seems a band as contemplative compositionally as All Hail The Ruin would not make such decisions lightly.

"Vultures," though only four songs deep, comes on strong and burly with track 1, 'Prophecy.' The squirrelly guitar intro, a speed-tech staple, sets us up for a sound similar to Death or Aborted. The elements are present, but with a touch of Behemoth-style deep growl for emphasis, and a few pop comp ideas that help to make All Hail The Ruin unique. 'For all we know (they could be dead),' a front runner for single, follows 'Prophecy' nicely. Perhaps the strongest track on "Vultures," 'For all we know' encapsulates the finer points of All Hail The Ruin’s sound. Title track 'Vultures' and closer 'Fate of the Fallen,' though masterful for the style, generally don’t distinguish themselves as well.

Glasstone Records are set to release another album from All Hail The Ruin soon. Hopefully this year, assuredly a full release. At this time we’ll hear the unveiling of the new line-up. With any luck it’ll be just as heavy and powerful as "Vultures."

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