FROM/PLAY: DC/MD/VA Area


I've seen these guys several times and each time they rocked with the same intensity and atmosphere, always leaving the crowd begging for more. I'll never forget the first time I saw them, in a little community center in Glen Burnie, MD that many had labled "The Hole in the Wall" because of a hole punched in a wall from moshing, or "The Sweatbox" from how insanely hot it gets in there in the summertime. But this wasn't the summer time, it was the winter and it was ungodly cold. Even indoors, with a bunch of tough hardcore kids all huddled up together, we were all still freezing our asses off.

Age of Ruin heated us up. The excitement had been building all night for something to warm us up and really get our hearts racing and fists flying. The Age of Ruin guys came on and cranked it up with their intense, crunchy, and disturbing atmospheric sounds, sending the place in an uproar of chaotic dancing and moshing that made that little place shake.

But along with the metal comes really nice melodies that almost make you think someone is going to start singing with sincere emotional cries into the darkness that these guys brought with them. But Derrick (vocals) keeps the music focused and tight, never swerving from its path of sheer hardcore/metal. The sound is not catchy but inviting. The same can be said of the live show where it makes you go crazy but can also sooth you to the point that it takes from the violence of the pit, to the peacefulness of fascination. You are sometimes rooted to the spot, deeply caught up with Dan's (guitar) beautifully blended melodies.

So as the show went on, I came to notice that two people dressed as skeletons who had been standing still since the set began on either side of the drums, were still standing there, starring and motionless. Then I started waiting for them to do something, because I knew they would. They were just waiting for the perfect opportunity. But it apparently never came because they just stood there and almost made you doubt whether or not they were really just people in suits.

During the breakdown of the final song, I was caught of guard being in the pit, but I finally learned what the skeletons were there for. As soon as Dan hit the chord for the breakdown (in a matter of seconds), the skeletons rushed forward and plowed through the crowd, knocking everyone backwards and behind them a guy knelt down and blew fire into the air while Derrick spit out blood at us. That was kinda awesome and really worked for a live show and a good atmospheric effect. They won me over with all that, for one because I'm obviously a person who really digs a good atmosphere and all around feeling to something.

I've seen Age of Ruin several times since, and even though they toned down the stage antics a bit, and focused more on just putting on a good live set, they still rock just as hard. Anytime I'm around the area when a show's happening, I'm there. And actually, they've been doing pretty well these past couple years and have been able to sponsor a big east coast tour.

If you're interested in these guys, check out their official site here