It’s not a sin to can’t follow with all the great things that happen near you. Neither a crime not to catch up with all the major records that are released even in the years of internet and information overload. Probably that is the only reason you can claim yourselves not guilty for being absent when LP’s like the self-titled debut from Poison Ruïn came out in 2021. Of course you were too busy jerking off in the COVID era and the lockdowns but we aren’t all white collar losers and if lockdown is a strange word as you were working 12 hours every day in this certain period you are innocent for not listening to any of the first two demos from Poison Ruïn. Anyway fast forward to 2023 a couple of months before the release of the bands sophomore full length via Relapse Records I believe it’s a great excuse for us to remember their glorious debut. Hailing from Philadelphia, Poison Ruïn have created a so-called dungeon post punk misty sound with a plethora of synths, N.W.O.B.H.M. elements, bitter/melancholic vocals and damn too many riffs. Haunted atmosphere adds a more spooky character to an already dark soundscape (Poison Ruïn use Dark Ages themes as an “overarching metaphor, lyrically and visually”) dressed with Heavy metal guitars, punk aesthetic and a retro 80’s post-punk and 90’s synth layer creating a brilliant result. The band has evolved since their demo years naturally with small yet poignant steps, enough to challenge their listeners and extend their supporter base widely. Swords and sorcery was always Heavy Metal fans’ cup of tea, but it tastes so more delicious when it’s mixed with synths and post punk that you can’t avoid on this fucking tempting 31 minute long musical journey with umlauts and nostalgia holding your hand as the lo-fi guitars carve your soul…