Ruiner

I must say I was pleasantly surprised with this album. I had Mute Print and loved it. I just got this album and it seems a little more refined. In Vino Veritas II is finaminal, followed by Congratulations and the Kids. Just a well put together album. I met these guys out in San Fran and they were totally cool and down to earth. Cant wait to see them again. Hope you enjoy!

The album is great, but the first song did not download as part of buying the whole album? 2 more words were required...

"Ruiner" is a record that is much needed in today's music scene. While screamo and metalcore are reigning supreme and clogging up the airwaves with over saturated clones, A Wilhelm Scream has quietly put together the stand out punk rock release of the year. In a time when it's almost impossible to hear bands with somewhat original sounds, AWS courageously throws their ideas of classic punk rock, old school hardcore and metal stylings into a blender and instantly creates a sound that is like no other band getting heavy air play right now. And that's exactly what makes this record so good and worth listening to. A couple of years ago punk was probably the biggest music craze on the market (not exactly punk, but terrible pop-punk like Good Charlotte and Simple Plan) and now it seems like Punk is slowly beginning to die away in the mainstream again. But with the help of bands like A Wilhelm Scream, Bad Religion, Strung Out and Pennywise punk is still showing it has its credibility. "Ruiner" is exactly the record you need to hear right now if you're fed up with screamo and all the other music that's plaguing the airwaves.First of all, A Wilhelm Scream's last record "Mute Print" was absolutely one of the best records released in 2004. Not just in the punk genre, but any genre alike. When I heard the band would be following up with "Ruiner" so quickly (only inside a year) I was hesitant to jump right on board with the hype. However after hearing the first seconds of "The King Is Dead" any suspicion you might have about the quality of the music on this cd will be immediately erased. Starting just as quickly as the last record did, "Ruiner" will instantly overwhelm you with its tight and intricate sound. The guitars are just as impressive as they ever were, which is one of the reasons "Ruiner" stands side by side with the last record. "Mute Print" had some of the most original and best sounding riffs a punk record had displayed in some time, and with "Ruiner" that same amazing feeling is still intact. At times the duo of Trevor Reilly and Chris Levesque can belt out metallic sounding intricacies as on "The Pool" and "God Loves A Liar", only to retain the punk-inspired feeling on excellent songs like "Killing It" and "Less Bright Eyes, More Deicide". Nuno is once again in top form as far as vocals go, and perhaps even better than the effort he put forth on "Mute Print". Together along with Trevor and Curtiss' backup vocals, A Wilhelm Scream delivers some of the best and most memorable melodies that a punk band has done in quite some time. The most refreshing thing about this record though has got to be the lyrics. I know I'm not the only one who's been dying to hear about something other than broken hearts or slitting your wrists or other cliche lyrical topics, and AWS is exactly the answer to that. "Speed Of Dark" and "Cancer Dream" are both excellent musical compositions both musically and lyrically, and the fact that I'm not hearing about some girl who broke someone's heart is even better. As a matter of fact, the entire compilation of lyrics found on "Ruiner" is downright right astounding. Everything from politics, to inner struggle, to failed friendships and more is tackled by the band, and they do it with the utmost sincerity. The strongest passages are when AWS seemingly gives us a call to arms to defend our rights and not let ourselves be brainwashed by the mass media and government. To top things off, the record flows beautifully. No song drags on past its relevance, or is too short to communicate its message. Everything about "Ruiner" is simply stunning, and it is exactly what both the punk rock, and music world in general, needs at this moment.After listening to "Ruiner" I guarantee you'll be going back for more and more every time. I know I was from the first time I listened to it, right until this very moment as I listen to the cd while I type this review. It is just that good. I thought that nothing could top "Mute Print", but with "Ruiner" A Wilhelm Scream has brought the same intensity and musical integrity they astounded me with the last time. I urge you to listen to "Ruiner", just simply because it is so good. What surprises me the most is that this record has been so under publicized. If you listen to "Ruiner" even just once, I guarantee you will be hooked. It takes a lot for me to really feel as good about a record as I do with this one, but one open ear to A Wilhem Scream's latest album will make you understand why I feel so strongly about this release. If you don't have "Mute Print", then pick that up as well, because your collection won't be complete without it. This is definitely one of the best records to be released this year, even if it doesn't get the attention it deserves. Nitro sure knew what they were doing when they signed this band. Saving music one ear at a time.

I have owned "Ruiner" for a while now and I just listened to it for the first time in months. I was blown away! I forgot how amazing this album is. Super melodic, raging punk rock with emotion and endless energy.A WILHELM SCREAM make really awesome heartfelt music. "Ruiner" is an audio treat from start to finish. I highly recommend this album to any musicians! The musicianship is impressive and there is some very technical guitar work and nasty bass & drums. Add in multi-layered vocals and you have a delicious recipe for a good album. Most of these songs are fast, but there are some slower moments that provide a good contrast.Listening to "Ruiner" is a raging rock & roll ride filled with super fast riffs, and punchy, quality drumming. After listening to such an explosive and wonderful album, I am in awe that so many crappy bands are still popular today. "Ruiner" has a very original sound and it is very necessary to your punk rock collection. This is the kind of album that you listen to straight through, and then listen to it again because it is so impressive.If you are a fan of Hot Water Music, or Strike Anywhere you should definitely check out A WILHELM SCREAM.

the word WOW is now spelled A-W-S. A Wilhelm Scream is a pounding, in your face punk band that rocks gloriously. Ruiner is a masterpiece of musicianship, vocals, and songwriting. Finally, a punk band without whiny vocals. The vocals are strong, punctuated, and fearless. I can't decide if this release or its predecessor Mute Print is better. I am definitely going to continue to pick up their other albums as well.My personal favortites are, but are not limited to: The King is Dead, Killing It, The Pool, Me vs. Morissey in the Pretentiousness Contest, The Kids Can Eat a Bag of Dicks. HOWEVER, every song on this album is praiseworthy. Each flows seemlessly into the next.If you like Hot Water Music then i'd say buy this. Also, if you like rock/metal/punk in general buy this.

A glassine guitar lick followed by a twangy bass line sets the pace for "The King is Dead". When the vocals kick in, the fury is unleashed with raw vocals and pounding drums. "Killing It" is just as intense as its predecessor, with more speed metal elements to it. "The Soft Cell" delves more and more into the classic metal style with its chugga-chugga riffs and monstrous power chords. Nuno Pereira explores more melody with his vocals here. Listen for some great guitar runs too. "God Love a Liar" is dominated by a twin guitar attack and an infectious melodic chorus. There's more speed metal soloing layered under the verses. The high-energy track "Congratulations" is more ironic than heart-felt. "When I Was Alive: Walden III" hits you at break-neck speed with driving rhythms and machine gun fire drum work.The BadShort songs, long titles.The VerdictI was quick to dismiss A Wilhelm Scream as another whiney pop-punk band after the first song. The group really took me by surprise with their diversity. Yeah, they have some pop-punk sounding stuff on Ruiner, but they also throw in some modern rock, classic metal, and a little bit of melody...which makes for a refreshing combination.