CoC : For Ruin - Last Light : Review

For Ruin - _Last Light_
(Independent, 2009)
by: Pedro Azevedo (7.5 out of 10)

Having released several demos over the last few years since starting up as a solo project, For Ruin grew into a full band and finally distilled their accumulated experience, skill and creativity into their debut _December_ -- to which _Last Light_ is the successor. The question with sophomore albums is often whether there is enough new inspiration to come up with something bigger and better than the debut; but while I never heard _December_, this new record sees the band in very good shape. Their sound remains a blackened death hybrid that is strongly guitar-driven, but without necessarily becoming overly melodic -- and it can get pretty intense, like on the re- recorded instrumental "Crawl". The guitar work is nimble and interesting, with a much improved rhythm section compared to their demo days, as well as competent rasped vocals to complete a well- rounded package. It can be argued that their style is not very innovative, or that the production could further improve, but those are minor complaints in what is the strongest self-produced album I've heard in quite some time.

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/forruinband

(article published 14/2/2010)

DEMOS
12/12/2006	P Azevedo	4.5	For Ruin - Obsidian
11/24/2005	P Azevedo	4	For Ruin - Shade