In partnership with Mondo Negro, and ahead of Powerplant’s arrival, ZDB explores paths adjacent to metal/punk with the very timely appearance of Poison Ruïn. With no vokills or tremolo picking to be heard, the music of this Pennsylvania-based quartet is imbued with a black metal aura that is as much haunted by the spectre of Venom as it is attuned to the D-beat groove that Darkthrone perfected from The Cult Is Alive onwards. Incidentally, there is also a lyrical obsession with medieval times, in an original foray into fantastical social criticism that juxtaposes the feudalism of the Dark Ages with today’s labour hardships; yet, in their ability to bring audiences together, they can be called – with all that this implies – a Punk band. Direct, memorable, yet brimming with a wealth of ideas that bring them close to Deathrock, whilst also embracing atmospheres borrowed from Dungeon Synth, rock-infused riffing, atmospheric tracks featuring soaring guitars and distant vocals, post-punk twists, and a voice that demands the full-throated choruses of Oi! and the hummable disgust of ’77 punk. All in a remarkable balance, the grit of the guitars fusing perfectly with the clarity of the songs, making the most of the momentum provided by a label as formidable as Relapse to maximise the edge, hypnotic quality and sharpness of their sound.

BS