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I was introduced to Age Of Ruin through this year's Warped Tour (and with no surprise, on the tour's only consistently good stage, the punkrocks.net stage), and though they didn't actually perform at the date I attended, the punkrocks.net Warped Tour page had plenty of information on their featured bands. I had heard nothing but good things about this band, so without much hesitation, I picked up the release before hearing any material by the band. And as expected, Age Of Ruin have unleashed a barrage of heavy music that is as impressive as it is brutal.
"Autumn Lanterns" kicks off with the unpredictable "Tainted Ghost Catharsis," which winds through plenty of metal subgenres, at times sounding much like a European metal band with flashy guitar work and some haunting action from a keyboard. There are times when I can't help but compare Age Of Ruin's new music to that of Bleeding Through, but this band definitely has a sound of their own. The second track, "No Kiss Cuts As Deep," picks up the pace and seems to constantly change pace, shifting between terribly high beats per minute and slower, melody driven passages. The double bass really kicks in during this track, and we are treated to some impressive growls that help display vocalist Derrick's impressive range. The rumbling double bass beneath thick guitar work during "Glowing Embers" sends endless chills down my spine, and the epic "Water To Wine, Blood To Ink" tears through eight minutes of tempo changes and endless variety thanks to the addition of background keyboard work, a huge vocal range, and plenty of breakdowns.
"Autumn Lanterns" may only contain five songs, but this album proves that Age Of Ruin have discovered their own sound, and it will now be no problem for me to distinguish them among other bands. Brutal breakdowns and loads of double bass prove that this band has a knack for heaviness, while slower, melodic guitar and keyboard work will establish Age Of Ruin as a band with a haunting vibe that revolves around more than just heaviness. "Autumn Lanterns" has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me, and I simply can not wait to hear what this band will release in the future. Show no hesitation in checking this album out.
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