When we speak about the Metal scene in Australia, we can remember many names, including some underground ones. The country is really creating more and more good names of Extreme Metal bands. Now, the quartet RUINS, from Hobart (Tasmania) is really unleashing Hell with their new album, "Undercurrent." It's the purest Black Metal in the vein of the SWOBM, with simple musical technique, that raw and oppressive sound mass, but keeping some elements from Thrash and Death Metal in many points. But the way they play is very personal, and will hook every fan of the style that listen to their musical work, because it's bitter and aggressive but charming as well. The band's guitarist Joe Haley made the recording, mixing and mastering of "Undercurrent.". His efforts resulted in a sound quality that keeps the rawness that their musical work needs, but has the clarity level that allows us all to understand what they are playing. It could be a little better, but it's OK on the way it is.

The artwork for the album is a creation of the guitarist/vocalist Alex Pope and he did a fine job in this point. The band plays grim and fast, but with some extremely climatic moments, making the listening of "Undercurrent" a very good experience for our ears. The rhythmic changes on the somber "Shadow of a Former Self" (that bears excellent bass guitar and drums works), the raw technique on the guitars presented on "Crossroads", the brutal grasp unleashed on "Rites of Spring" (very good harsh and raw vocals tunes, indeed), the fierce and bitter energy that flows from "Undercurrent", and the climatic atmosphere show on the funereal "Symbols from Intent" can be named as their best moments. But the entire album is really good. These Tasmanian Devils are really an excellent band, and deserve a lot to be known by all extreme Metal maniacs the world over. So give your ears a chance, and became hooked by "Undercurrent."