From These Ruins: Losing Control review

Do you enjoy nu-metal bands like KoRn, Disturbed, or Mushroomhead? How about traditional metal bands like Demon Hunter, Prong and Sevendust or hard rock heavyweights  like Red and Skillet? Then there is a new band out of Indiana called From These Ruins that not just merits, but demands your immediate attention. The band formed in 2010 and released their debut EP Brotherhood in 2012 to massive critical and commercial acclaim. They are currently locked up in the studio working hard on what will be their first full length album scheduled for release later this year. In the meantime, to hold over the rabid fans who just can’t stand the wait, they have issued the yet untitled album’s first single “Losing Control.” Lead vocalist Rusty Sparks had this to say about the new material, “We are so excited for everyone to hear the new stuff and couldn’t wait any longer for people to get a little taste.” One listen to “Losing Control” and it becomes quite apparent why he is so excited. It is hands down the best song Mushroomhead never recorded and the track Sevendust has been striving to make for over a decade. The vocal duo of singer Rusty Sparks and drummer Chad Anderson follow the same sonic blueprint and vocal cadence of Sevendust with the pair transitioning seamlessly between clean and distorted vocals while the funkadelic bass line during the astonishing breakdown takes its cues from Fieldy of KoRn. At the same time, the twin guitar attack of Jeff Garloch and Tim Hartman are laying down infectious grooves deeper than the Grand Canyon and solos so technically complex they would confuse Stephen Hawking. All the while, drummer Chad Anderson leads the charge with a barrage of turbulent double kick, bombastic blastbeat and melodic hardcore breakdowns rivaling greats like Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich and Mike Portnoy. Here’s the bottom line- Losing Control is, in a word, perfection and should be receiving repeated plays in every format possible. If you like any of the aforementioned bands, then From These Ruins is essential listening. Rating: 9/10 -Eric Hunker