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Anyone who paid attention to Fat Wreck Chords' releases in the late 1990s knows that the fast, melodic brand of punk rock, which bands like Strung Out, No Use For A Name and NOFX helped popularize, has largely keeled over. Save for the long-running pioneers, it's a style of music that isn't often of interest to contemporary musicians. With a modern twist, though, it certainly has life, and A Wilhelm Scream is one of a few young bands that continues to prove that notion.
The band's second full-length, Ruiner, furthers the path that A Wilhelm Scream initially began blazing on their debut, Mute Print. Not terribly different from their prior work, but not without progression, Ruiner is a tightly performed, urgent and distinct offering.
Ruiner is has all sorts of familiarities -- rapid drumming, mid-ranged, melodic singing and brisk chord progressions -- but it's within the dual-guitar interplay and extensive use of vocals that A Wilhelm Scream establishes their identity. Guitarists Chris Levesque and Trevor Reilly, who also contributes vocals, are a one-of-a-kind combination. Somehow, throughout Ruiner's more than 36 minutes, the two pump out a seemingly endless barrage of well orchestrated, often harmonized string-plucking. They've definitely got their own style and, while it loses some of its power to stun as the album runs its course, a level of creativity and complexity keeps Ruiner wholly interesting and modern.
The guitar parts tend to steal the show, but A Wilhelm Scream's vocal attack, which includes singer Nuno Pereira and two backing voices, doesn't skimp on vocal harmonies and big, melodic hooks. There are plenty of opportunities to sing along, and the blatant hooks offer another point of entrance for listeners. There's almost always something to latch onto.
Most of Ruiner comes as little surprise. A couple of mid-paced, laid-back songs, notably "In Vino Veritas II" and "Mercy Day For Mr. Vengeance," creep into the mix and provide an appreciated change of pace. Other than that, though, Ruiner keeps the music, in general, fast and aggressive.
Produced by Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, this record sounds great. The thick, full recording is able to emphasize both the complex guitar parts and vocal layering, and still gives the louder moments a healthy punch. The artwork, especially the nicely illustrated booklet, is beautiful. I've really got nothing negative to say about Ruiner; all of the critical components are in place and tactfully executed. Check it out.
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