Within the Ruins - Halfway Human
Within the Ruins, it is the archetype of the djent. To such an extent that it becomes ridiculous. Or good? Ridiculously good. Everything is overproduced to the bone, to the point that one comes to doubt: are there really humans at the origin of this sound? The title of their fifth and last album to date, Halfway Human, leaves the doubt. One thing is certain, there is matter to divide. And it is not for nothing, WTR (for the intimates and the lazy ones) found its lode: a deathcore / djent to the hyper léché sound, where the chugs on the guitar side virtuous leads. Add to this a growls / singing alternation at the limit of the telephone, and you have the rough portrait of the American quartet. But it goes a little further than that.
Within The Ruins has managed to forge a very strong sound identity, due not only to its excessively thick production, but also to its versatility. The notes are linked together and do not resemble each other, their music is a permanent rhythmic and melodic renewal, fascinating to follow. And they are not content to be virtuoso, they have a feeling that allows them to lay catchy melodies as not possible.
The result is a variety of tracks ranging from the single popist (Death Of The Rockstar, Objective Reality) to the hardcore hardcore concluded on a note dub (Incomplete Harmony) passing by an instrumental masterpiece (Ataxia IV). The Ataxia series is also a kind of personal running gag at Within The Ruins, each album owning its part.
To come back to singing, it is not a clear / guttural alternation as the metalcore of the years 2000 has accustomed us, but more a personal and inspired entanglement bearing the structure of the piece. There is nothing systematic, no recipe applied to the letter, just a feeling offering the pieces a coherent structure and a story to tell, with beginning and end.
Then, robotic production and clear vocals sometimes on the edge of the cheesy will put off more than one, but Halfway Human will be for others a source of truly refreshing melodies and groovy riffs and inspired at will. Draw energy at the source.
Score 7.5/10
