Do you think deathcore is just a monotonous chaos of sounds? RUINS OF PERCEPTION will prove you wrong. The German quintet knows how to intrigue the listener with their banging soundscape and vocal layers. Getting as brutal as they could possibly be, RUINS OF PERCEPTION merge orchestral, blackened, symphonic, and slam elements together with deathcore. Their breakdowns are simply recognizable with emerging ferocity and aggressiveness. Established in 2016, the Berlin-based group began their music career with the debut album, “Shinigami,” in 2022. By 2024, they hadn’t only attracted a fan base across Europe but also negotiated a new offer with the US-based record label, Seek & Strike.
That’s a convenient time for opening a new chapter in the band’s artistic involvement. Releasing their newest EP, “Ballads ov Blood,” on May 31st, 2024, RUINS OF PERCEPTION present a developed creative vision. The EP’s uniqueness emerges through the differentiation of each track, delivering epic, brutal moments to beautiful atmospheric ones. “Ballads ov Blood” unfolds stories of the mysterious world of vampires through the depth of massive symphonic orchestrations and bone-crushing breakdowns. Each track on this release prepares you for something bigger every time you enter the next one in line. RUINS OF PERCEPTION doesn’t stop with the surprises just here. Special music collaborations with artists from other well-known bands are found in a couple of songs in the EP, “Ballads ov Blood.” Moreover, if you are an admirer of the widely known American deathcore formation, SHADOW OF INTENT, you will find yourself thrilled by this release, too.
The first song of the EP, “Carpe Noctem,” supports the idea of an opening track without a doubt. Conveying even less than 3 minutes of epicness, it prepares us for a sound explosion through its atmospheric and mystical beginning. Additionally, the symphonic elements in the background advise of something huge upcoming. Crossing half of the song, brutal drums by Jeremy Gehrke sharply enter, and extreme harsh vocals by Hagen Petschat finish the track’s opening. “Carpe Noctem” leaves the listener curious about what’s coming next by closing with a sick breakdown.
Transitioning into “The Draconian Impaler,” this second track begins with intense low growling and a feisty mood. The blackened elements together with the vocally layered techniques make this piece sound like a crossover between the English extreme metal band, CRADLE OF FILTH, and the American deathcore beasts, LORNA SHORE. The constantly changing tempo and rhythm keep the atmosphere in “The Draconian Impaler” conquering. As it seems like it’s RUINS OF PERCEPTION’s tendency in their new EP, this song finishes with a fine, smashing breakdown again.
The third track, “Terrorgheist,” comes with feisty screaming and an intense desire to make one go to a mosh pit. Right after that, RUINS OF PERCEPTION decide to calm things down for a brief moment. They add a refreshing melodic riff, which softens up the song’s otherwise brutal sound. The track is also one of this EP’s tracks which features a guest musician. Here, Dan Tucker of CROWN MAGNETAR joins the deathcore crew by nicely nourishing the song’s vocal diversity. High and low-pitched, pig and goblin vocal techniques stand out in “Terrorgheist.”
One of the highlights of the new release is the next song, “Empress ov Blood.” It begins with a relaxed spirit, created by symphonic influences and accompanying piano. The serenity is soon destroyed and replaced with a majestic chaos, getting you lost in its impressiveness. Similarly to the moment of calmness before a storm, a massive breakdown with diverse drums kicks in spontaneously. “Empress ov Blood” is the second song of this EP which introduces another superb vocal collaboration. This time the symbiosis is between the lead vocalists of both RUINS OF PERCEPTION and the American deathcore band SIGNS OF THE SWARM (David Simonich). The end of the song leans on a long dynamic solo before getting shattered by the closing breakdown.
The last deathcore masterpiece of this EP carries the name “Immortalize.” It begins with an ominous symphonic segment and immersive drums, followed by a catchy guitar riff. What I notice about the song is the fact it has different layers hidden throughout it. For instance, the beautiful guitar solo by Matthias Görlach and Maximilian Gaube enters the track, while we can still hear the prolonged growling in the background. I, personally, find these details important, as they give the song imposing depth. Right when you think “Immortalize” is over, RUINS OF PERCEPTION kick in with the same crazy guitar riff and speedy drums one last time before it closes this final piece.
All-in-all, with the newly arrived EP, “Ballads ov Blood,” the German beasts go wild with their five powerful tracks. The last one, “Immortalize,” is my absolute favorite, I can listen to it a million times a day. The band has chosen the order of the songs so that it makes one look forward to what their future releases will be like. RUINS OF PERCEPTION have put a beginning to a new era and they will surely continue to excite many with it!
Written by Stephanie Vasileva
Tracklist
1. Carpe Noctem
2. The Draconian Impaler
3. Terrorgheist (feat. Dan Tucker of Crown Magnetar)
4. Empress ov Blood (feat. David Simonich of Signs Of The Swarm)
5. Immortalize
Lineup
Maximilian Gaube – Guitar & Backing Vocals
Hagen Petschat – Main Vocals
Matthias Görlach – Guitar
Jeremy Gehrke – Drums
Paul Schmidt – Bass
Label
Seek & Strike
