- As I was wandering my way through West End heading towards the Lifeline Book Fair, I spied an Idle Ruin sticker plastered on a lamp post. Seeing a logo like Idle Ruin while totally unawares and having that “fuck is this? This looks sick” reaction, I snapped a photo of it because and listened to them when I got home. D.I.Y marketing is certainly not dead and avoiding the inundation that comes with social media promotion by slapping your sticker on shit around the place is something dear to my heart. That and the fact Idle Ruin churn out a wicked flair of blackened thrash really solidified my appreciation for what the Brisbane trio do. The Fell Tyrant is their first full album after a handful of cumulative releases. Much like the DIY marketing, it’s a great statement to make; and of course, it comes out through Bitter Loss Records. So once again, hey Rob, how you going, mate?

Idle Ruin’s debut record runs that gambit of blackened death and ushers the album in with a thematic opening in Shackled For Adornment’s infancy. They do lull you into a false sense of security though with this subdued, building introduction where -as soon as it hits its peak- blast beats gallop down the valley walls and then we’re off to the races. There’s no such grandeur following this on The Fell Tryant, but it is real nose to the grindstone stuff; choosing to hit all the necessary points with an execution of ten without reaching and failing for the difficulty ten. Scycophant, the single that tipped off this release late last year, finds a stronger home on this full length. The guitars oscillate between needling drills to the base of your skull to brawny chugs, swinging like the a well tempered, well worn champion.

Much like well worn champions, Idle Ruin are able to leave you with a lasting impression thanks to the way they move your head. Songs like Orbiticlast and The Fell Tyrant boast being hook-laden, decidedly heavy ear worms and lend themselves to making this release particularly memorable. The former has what could well be called a chorus, houses clearly defined vocals over riffs that vegetarians couldn't stomach because of how bloody meaty there are. That’s a shocker of a dad joke, I’m sorry. Checking back with the title track, it’s at a more even-keeled pace which is slowed down again towards the back end. Doubling down on this slow gravitas, brings forth an uncontrollable head nod and a wry smile.

Having gone through my own sticker bombing campaign trying to get eyes on my stupid zine back in the day, finding out about the Brisbane crew the way I did struck a nerve close to me heart. Their blend of blackened death metal hurls chugging riffs at you with a vindictive glee and when they stomp the accelerator through the floor, the trashier moments kick things into a blistering gear. The Fell Tyrant is a top notch debut album and a great introduction to the band for those not familiar to them; long may Idle Ruin plaster stickers so more people get to hear it and spread their justly deserved fame.

- Matt Lynch.