REVIEW: WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS - Ruination Revelation

 

WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS - Ruination Revelation

Stormspell Records

You know how in Greece, we've got sayings for when things take their sweet time? Like "good things come to those who wait" or "better late than never"? Well, that vibe totally fits WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS. These guys decided to drop their second album, "Ruination Revelation," a full ten years after their debut. Their first one, "Portable Darkness," came out way back in 2015. Yeah, a decade later!

Now, calling them a "band" feels a bit off to me. I'd lean more towards calling WHERE EVIL FOLLOWS a studio project. My gut feeling on this comes from the fact that it's just two guys making the magic happen: Toby Knapp on guitars and bass, and he's also the brains behind the drum machine programming. Then you've got Shane Wacaster handling the vocals.

Interestingly, these two go way back. They were both part of ONWARD – Toby even founded that killer band, and Shane was the drummer there. Plus, they teamed up again in NECRYTIS, with Shane pulling double duty on drums and vocals. So, yeah, they know each other's musical language inside and out, and you can definitely hear that chemistry.

"Ruination Revelation" itself is a cool blend of that classic '80s heavy and speed metal sound. It's got this awesome old-school, nostalgic feel, but it also sounds fresh and full of cool ideas. What really stands out is how well they balance those catchy melodies with the heavier, rhythmic parts. And Toby Knapp? Man, his guitar work is insane! You can hear how talented he is on those lead and solo sections, but he's not just showing off. He uses his skills to add those little details that make the songs more interesting and unique.

To me, this album screams '80s British metal, with a healthy dose of early METALLICA and MEGADETH thrown in. And let's be real, those bands were huge fans of British hard rock and heavy metal back in the day. You can totally hear the JUDAS PRIEST influence woven into the songs, and that strong NWOBHM vibe is everywhere. At times, it even brought back memories of the good old RAVEN. And, of course, there are those clear nods to ONWARD.

Listening to this album is just a really enjoyable experience. It flows so naturally. It's got that good kind of nostalgia, making the songs feel like classics – but it's not just rehashing old ideas. It's got its own personality and a real sense of freshness.

My only little nitpick is the drum machine. It makes the production sound a bit like a demo in places. I'm not sure why they went that route, especially since Shane is a drummer! But honestly, that's a minor point. Overall, this is definitely an album you should check out.

Nick Parastatidis