This is a band with an unknown date of formation, a band that rose up from the non-existing ashes, a band that is known and yet unknown to many, a band that evokes eternal death and destruction with their maliciously sweet sound -and this band is RUINOUS, who are presenting us their debut full-length studio record, "Graves of Ceaseless Death".

Here is yet another extreme Dark Descent Records score - a label that is best known for having such dark yet extreme-oriented Death Metal bands - bands that need more recognition, and bands that have a sound that not many people can understand. The New Jersey-based RUINOUS are certainly one of those bands, and they have presented us with their initial debut back in 2016 - a release that contained 9 tracks, and is currently their only release; although they did release their 9^th track "Torn Forever from the Light" as an exclusive single back in 2015.

"The Tombs of Blasphemy" kicked me right in the face with its sharp, yet underground vocalizations, the massive and eternally loud riffs, the furiously powerful drumming, and the massively heavy bass guitar tone. Enjoying this album on Bandcamp was just the best thing to do that today. It has a Death Metal sound that is so dark and Brutal, it beats anything that was released back in the 90's. Fuck the 90's, to be honest. It's 2017 - or in case of this release, 2016. This is the new age of Death Metal, so let's praise it. "Transfixed on the Gate" is yet another malevolent track that picks up various raw instrumental forces, with more brutal growling and screaming vocals, and sometimes even a dark mix of the two.

 "Dragmarks" is the third track on the album, and I just can't get enough of it. This is a release that will praise any fan of DISMA (oh, by the way, they have a new EP out - if you still need a lethal dose of extreme Death Metal). I also forgot to mention that If you're a fan of FUNEBRARUM, and perhaps BLOOD INCANTATION, or more bands that rule today's Death Metal scene, definitely give RUINOUS some love.

"From Flames of Malice Born" is such a catchy title, but it's not only the name that is catchy, the music itself is incredibly haunting. The vocals are just never stop, and they almost feel like a brutal train that has no brakes. Not a trace of modern sound, or what do you even call a "modern-sounding band?" This is what bands are playing nowadays, and this is good! They absolutely should bot stop. Pick your demo shit up and try to create a full-length out of first try like this band did. They succeeded so well, even they are unaware of their success. "Procession of Ceaseless Sorrows" is the fifth track, and I already couldn't believe that I was at the half - you know, as people say, time passes quick when one is having fun, and I agree on that one. This is an enjoyable record. This track presents us some Doom-oriented influences, full of gloomy atmospheres and a lot more influences that go back to bands that add a lot more doom to their sound. The vocals are so slow, so haunting and bone breaking, it's just out of this world. Plus, it's a five minute track. Need anything better than that?

"Ravenous Eternal" is back where the beginning of the album left off - at a very high speed, or at least the speed that such a band can reach. No doubt they are capable of doing that, but why would they? What do they need to prove? Their sound is already incredible, no matter how fast or slow it is. This band lacks nothing, they don't need to prove anything to anyone - they are incredible. "Plague Maiden" contains some Thrash-influenced riffs, but just at the beginning. The vocals kick in later and seem like they were spiced up a bit by a tiny piece of Black Metal, just because the fact that they sound so raw in the mix, they're almost incomprehensible. The drumming keeps on going, with all the members of this band being completely aware of their styles and influences.

"Through Stygian Catacombs" is what I was waiting for - an eleven-minute track (holy shit!) with a nice, slow start; the band is not rushing. The atmosphere without any vocals is already haunting and gloomy enough by itself. So far, the album consisted of a lot of tracks that had similar atmospheres, but you can enjoy this track for a long time, being that it's this long. This is my favourite so far.

Now off to the infamous single, "Torn Forever from the Light" (such a brutal name). I understand this was the band's first introduction to the scene two years ago, and hats down, this track is incredible. Whilst mostly dominated by scream-influenced vocals, some of the additions include a few growl-based vocals, all the while some of the atmospheres are just incredibly "dead", and everything seems so hopeless as you blast this album.

Still, my final rating showcases how great this debut is. If you like IMMOLATION, INCANTATION and/or DISMA, get yourself a new favourite band, and you might have an idea already which one I am talking about, ha!