Poison Ruïn has a distinctive blend of fast-paced punk and fantasy elements that sound straight out of The Witcher or Runescape on their latest release Härvest, but it leaves much more to be desired. From long intros to vocals hidden in the background, the Philadelphia-based group tries to simulate a desolate fantasy world to avail.
The album’s first half is littered with intros that go on too long. For instance, the intro of “Pinnacle of Ecstasy” drags for almost a minute and a half, almost half of the entire track. While the intro has an interesting medieval score accompanied by burning chaos towards its conclusion, it serves no purpose against the rest of the track.
None of the intros connect well with the song, feeling like they were a stylistic choice based on their sound instead of their ability to enhance the track. “Resurrection I” has a similar issue with another 90-second-long introduction, but it is slightly redeemed by the sounds of cobblestones and a slamming door helping the transition.
Unlike their 2021 self-titled debut record, Härvest doesn’t move anywhere, remaining stagnant in its overall sound. While the lyrics help carve out stories of lore and illusions, Mac Kennedy’s lyricism gets muddled against the instrumentals. In “Tome of Illusion,” Kennedy starts to truly paint the picture of the world, noting the disguised items now used in different ways.
“Magicians disguise their market as an altar/ Fireworks are sold as sacred rite/ Mystified, obscured, and named ‘eternal flame’/ Taken by elliptical promises.” With the brilliant lyrics hidden, the album loses a poetic flavor that perfectly contextualizes the world-building that should take place. However, there were still some highlights along the way.
The album’s title track is a great example of what this album could have been. Starting with the elongated introduction, furious toms come up with a central guitar riff that drives the song forward. Kennedy’s lyrics can really shine through easily as the refrain cries out in wonder. “Is this our harvest?/ Is this our feast to share?/ Wiser ones are asking themselves/ Who’s swinging the scythe?” A blasting guitar solo sails over these last few refrains to perfection. The band’s instrumentals are astounding, and Kennedy’s lyrics do them justice, but there is much holding them back.
Overall, Poison Ruïn have a driving sound that doesn’t come through as much on their second album, and long intros stall what has the glimmers of being a prolific punk record. The Härvest was not plentiful on this record.
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