The Family Ruin release their debut album “Dearly Departed” Tuesday. Photo/KBB Records
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Family Ruin – a five piece band hailing from the United Kingdom – will drop their debut album “Dearly Departed” Tuesday.
The first band signed to new label KBB records – which is founded by Asking Alexandria guitarist Ben Bruce and their manager Kyle Borman – “Dearly Departed” is described as hard-hitting, drawing influences from the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Escape The Fate and Motley Crue. The album will feature 14 tracks, something of a rarity in this day and age of music.
“Let’s Go” is the debut single for The Family Ruin, which has taken the rock scene by storm, reaching number one on rock radio charts.
The first track on the album is “Bring Out Your Dead” which starts off which a group of people chanting the title of the song. As soon as it ends, it kicks right into what will set the tone for the rest of the album; heavy but melodic riffs, crushing drums, and powerful vocals.
“Leech” marks the second song on the album which showcases a modern metalcore sound mixed with your traditional radio rock sound. At various parts during the song, there is an eerie synth that is layered in the background. This is a standout song on the album for many reasons, one of them being that they stray away from your generic breakdowns. The breakdown in this song has racing guitars and drums instead of the typical chugging sound that most do.
After four aggressive songs, the band slows things down on the track “Us Against The World.” The verses in this song with ambient tones and light drumming, but kicks into quite possibly the biggest chorus on the whole album. Reminiscent of the arena rock days, this song is quite anthematic but still maintains the heaviness.
What would a hard rock band be if there wasn’t a ballad on their album? Well, The Family Ruin made sure to have a ballad with the song “Haunting.” Â Remaining simplistic, vocalist John Mennel sings only over a piano for the short but sweet track. During the chorus, there are soft background vocals that follow the melody of the piano.
Sometimes on albums the sequencing doesn’t seem to make sense, but on “Dearly Departed,” it was clearly well thought out. Halfway through the album it kicks right back into the heavier stuff, only to come back to a slower song entitled “Broken Hands.” With a slower verse, it still manages to maintain the heaviness with dark tones, but then it kicks into a chorus which sounds like it could be featured on any active rock station.
Being the second to last song on the album, “Where We Fall” is a more fast paced song which if performed in a live setting would be a crowd-pleaser. Â The breakdown in this song is one that makes you wanna get up and lose control.
Closing out the album is the track “Sonder.” Ambiance and melodies are the essence of this song due to the fact that there are soft electronic sounds, melodic guitar riffs, light piano, and simplistic drumming. With an album closer, it needs to be something that will end the album on a high point, and this track does just that.
Overall, if a blast of a rock-metal mixture and powerful music is something you enjoy, this album sure to please you. The Family Ruin is a band to keep a lookout for because with a debut album as diverse and strong as this, they are sure to mark their territory in the music scene. Definitely pick up “Dearly Departed” Tuesday.
Unfortunately, last week the band released a statement that they had to cancel their appearances with Crown The Empire in the United States due to visa issues. The tour would have been their first in the States.
To listen to the band discuss the “Dearly Departed” and their recent troubles with the embassies in Britain, listen to The Family Ruin Invade The Pit.
