The most annoying thing about hardcore, is when the really, really, really good bands implode, be it musically or literally, there is nothing more infuriating, upsetting and just downright disheartening. On the upside, there are always new bands itching to replace their fallen peers and carry on pushing on that sound, it may not be who you want pushing it, but at least, it is still being pushed. Thus, when With Honor imploded both musically and literally, a rather sizable gap was left in the hardcore universe, begging the question, who could fill that void?

Ruiner are certainly a contender, their last full length Prepare to be Let Down, was a heartfelt collection of rallying anthems that in spite of the darkened atmosphere were hugely uplifting. Thus, with the success of that record and the band’s current Euro tour, Bridge 9 made a wise move and put together a juicy little collection of out of print and dispersed material onto one handy piece of plastic.

Sonically, Ruiner are less epic and elaborate then contemporaries such as Verse, Have Heart and This is Hell, but what they lack in eloquence and elegance, they balance with white hot fury, as each piece bursts and pierces through their brief duration. Granted, at first it seems that the material here blends and bleeds into one another, but given the focus, the energy and the heart that brims from each piece, it pulls you back and entices you to make the effort to distinguish each detail within the noisy mesh.

[Visit the band's website]

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