RUINATION -

RUINATION - XURA - GOLDTRACK
I believe this is Goldtrack's first ever second release by the same band. If so, this is something of a milestone in the young label's history. Out of Lithuania, the sextet (up one person from last outing) have returned with an album that demonstrates the band's intention of leaving the metal scene behind in a hurry. For Xura is really half way in between metal and gothic rock already. The band are clearly influenced by Sisters of Mercy (very much so vocally), a band which they cover here and seem to be defecting to entirely by their next outing. A pity, as the band has achieved a very clearly transparent album. The warm drum sound is simply adorable, yet the pop/rock flavour of the composition makes this of little interest to metal fans. A song like the title track could have easily been Megadeth's In My Darkest Hour but instead Ruinations have other things in mind here. Are there any heavy bands left in the Baltics? - Ali "The Metallian"