Ruins (Ger)
Chambers of Perversion
6.5
The cover of Ruins’ Chambers of Perversion features a zombie Jesus in chains, being disemboweled with an inverted crucifix by some sort of goat-faced demon. Now for us mere mortals, such torment would likely garner our full attention, but not so for Zombie-Jesus: Seemingly unfazed by the sight of his own intestines, Christ has indeed risen. Well, part of him has, anyway. It seems some lass has taken pity on our undead savior and endeavored to ease his suffering the best way she knows how: fellatio. ‘Atta girl.
If such blasphemous imagery leads you to assume that Chambers of Perversion is a black metal record, your assumption is correct. However, From The Dead Kennedys’ In God We Trust, Inc. featuring Christ on a cross of dollar bills to the Dwarves’ Blood Guts and Pussy, which is quite self explanatory, provocative imagery and a “fuck everything you hold dear” attitude has also been a hallmark of punk and hardcore music. It is perhaps no coincidence then that the music on Chambers of Perversion owes nearly as much to hardcore punk acts such as Discharge and GBH as it does to early black metal bands like Bathory and Venom. Haunting tremolo-picked melodies, atmospheric keyboards and odes to dark forests you will not find here. For most of the album, Ruins thrashes and bashes their way through short songs full of simple, rapidly strummed chordal riffs, and equally furious, straightforward drumming over which various blasphemies are spewed in a strangled squawk.
Most of the songs on Chambers of Perversion are enjoyable enough while they are playing, being full of reckless aggression and an infectious enthusiasm. Yet, lacking much in the way of hooks, either vocal or instrumental, the songs fail to leave much of a lasting impression. Amidst Chambers of Perversion’s blasphemous barbarity, there is, however, one nugget of unmitigated metallic brilliance, and that is “War in Heaven Part 4 (Megalomania)”. Were it not for the vocals, “War in Heaven” could easily be mistaken for the work of an entirely different band. For this, the typically rapid pacing gives way to a steady stomp not unlike Venom's "In League with Satan". Over this groove, the guitar and bass play a sinister counterpoint melody that is embellished by some surprisingly deft and fluid guitar fills. The speed picks up in the song’s second half, but only to a purposeful gallop, which allows for better thematic development. While “War in Heaven” is not a mind-blowing display of compositional prowess, it is a damn solid track that proves Ruins is capable of more sophisticated and memorable work. Were Ruins to add just a hint of this sophistication to the rest of the music on Chambers of Perversion, it would be a much more formidable release.
For what it is, Chambers of Perversion is a fun way to spend eighteen minutes. I think, however, that the average metal fan will find it somewhat lacking in quality riffage. The album has attitude in spades, though, so if you like your black metal raw, filthy and vicious, Chambers of Perversion is worth a listen.
