Artist: A Wilhelm Scream Album: Ruiner

Year: 2005
Duration: 0:0-1

A Deep Dive into A Wilhelm Scream's Ruiner Album

For every hardcore punk fan out there, A Wilhelm Scream's Ruiner album could be a serious contender for their favorite album of all time. Released in 2005, Ruiner is the band's third studio album and the one that made them a household name in the underground punk scene. It has some of the most aggressive, fast-paced, and intelligent punk rock tracks in recent memory, and it still holds up after all these years. But what makes it so special? Is it the band's unique style, the songwriting, the production, or all of the above? In this post, we'll take a critical look at Ruiner, analyze its history, genre, best songs and most innovative parts, and deliver our verdict on the album.
Before we dive into Ruiner, let's first give a brief history of A Wilhelm Scream. The band hails from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and formed in 1999. They play a style of punk rock that's heavily influenced by skate punk, melodic hardcore, and technical punk. Their early releases gained them a solid following in the DIY punk community, but it wasn't until Ruiner that they broke through to the mainstream punk scene. The album was released on Nitro Records, which was owned by Dexter Holland of The Offspring fame. The band recorded the album in 10 days with producer Bill Stevenson of Descendents fame, and it marks a turning point in their career.
Moving onto the genre of Ruiner, it's a prime example of what's known as technical punk or skate punk. The genre is characterized by fast tempos, complex guitar riffs, intricate drumming patterns, and socially conscious lyrics. A Wilhelm Scream takes these elements and adds their own twist to it, incorporating breakdowns, harmonized guitar leads, and anthemic choruses. The album consists of 14 tracks, and each one is a perfect distillation of the genre's characteristics. From the opening track The King Is Dead to the closing track Kursk, the album never lets up and keeps you engaged with its energy and precision.
Now, let's talk about the best songs of the album. It's a tough call, as every track on Ruiner is a banger in its own right. But if we had to pick, we'd go with The Horse, Me Vs. Morrissey in the Pretentiousness Contest, Anchor End, and Kursk. The Horse is a standout track with its galloping rhythm and dual guitar harmonies. Me Vs. Morrissey in the Pretentiousness Contest has a catchy chorus and witty lyrics that poke fun at elitist music snobs. Anchor End is a slower track that showcases the band's melodic side, with its emo-inspired guitar lines and heartfelt lyrics. And, finally, Kursk is an epic track that caps off the album with its soaring guitar solos and theatrical outro.
Moving onto the most innovative parts of the album, we'd say it's the band's ability to blend different punk styles seamlessly. You can hear elements of melodic punk, hardcore, thrash, and skate punk throughout the album. It's also impressive how tight the band sounds, despite the complex arrangements and tempo changes. Every member of the band shines, with Nuno Pereira's vocals cutting through the mix, Brian Robinson's guitar work providing the hooks, Trevor Reilly and Chris Levesque's rhythm section providing the backbone, and Mike Supina's second guitar adding the harmonies.
And, finally, let's deliver our verdict on Ruiner. In our opinion, it's one of the best punk rock albums of the 2000s. It's a perfect blend of technical skill, songwriting prowess, and raw energy. It's an album that can satisfy both metalheads and punk purists alike, with its intricate guitar work and socially conscious lyrics. It's an album that you can listen to from start to finish without skipping a track, and still discover new things with each listen. So, if you're a fan of punk rock and haven't checked out Ruiner yet, do yourself a favor and give it a spin.
In conclusion, Ruiner by A Wilhelm Scream is a landmark album in the punk rock genre. It's a masterclass in technical punk, with its complex guitar riffs, lightning-fast drumming, and politically charged lyrics. It's an album that deserves more recognition and praise than it currently gets, as it's still relevant and impactful after 16 years since its release. So, if you're a fan of punk rock, or just love music that's fast, furious, and intelligent, give Ruiner a listen. It's an album that's sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
In conclusion, Ruiner by A Wilhelm Scream is a landmark album in the punk rock genre. It's a masterclass in technical punk, with its complex guitar riffs, lightning-fast drumming, and politically charged lyrics. It's an album that deserves more recognition and praise than it currently gets, as it's still relevant and impactful after 16 years since its release. So, if you're a fan of punk rock, or just love music that's fast, furious, and intelligent, give Ruiner a listen. It's an album that's sure to leave a lasting impression on you.