Introducing: Exist In Ruin

International symphonic blackened death metal project Exist In Ruin beautifully combine metal and metalcore with dramatic orchestral music in a sound they describe as “epic, brutal and symphonic.” And the results are pretty staggering, with a deliciously powerful fusion of death metal, classical and choral elements.

Exist In Ruin is the brainchild of American guitarist and songwriter Teren, who set out to recruit world-class musicians to make his dark musical vision a reality for his debut EP. He hand-picked musicians from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Portugal and the US, who brought a mix of skills from a cappella, brutally heavy and soprano vocals to incredible symphonies and virtuoso guitar solos.

On the sound he’s created, Teren tells us: “It’s a mix of Amon Amarth-inspired melodic death metal riffs, with a touch of black metal and metalcore influences smothered in epic symphonies heavily influenced by songs like Progenies of the Great Apocalypse by Dimmu Borgir. A wide variety of vocal styles span the EP to keep it interesting. There are heavy male death metal and black metal style vocals, as well as clean male melodic a capella vocals. There are also a variety of female soprano, clean, and heavy black metal style vocals inspired by the style of Dimmu Borgir’s Agnete Kjølsrud.”

Our first taste of this is most recent single release Although I Live I Die, which opens with echoey spoken vocals and increasingly atmospheric instrumentals that give way to lively guitars and driving drums. Vicious vocals take over alongside energetic instrumentals before stabbing strings support the chorus, which gives way to a huge solo.

On the track, Teren told us: “The reception has been very positive so far. With the assistance of WormHoleDeath Records, it has sparked interest for the project and there’s been a noticeable spike in views and followers on Exist In Ruin’s various social media platforms.

“Listeners should expect a rollercoaster ride of a song with epic melodies in the guitar and symphonic department as well as headbanging, crushing riffs, with brutal vocals that will make your head move and make you thrown up the horns at times! Exist In Ruin attempts to make every song memorable with catchy vocal lines that fans can easily memorize and sing along with, once acquainted with the songs.” Check it out in the lyric video here:

That’s the final track from the self-titled debut EP Exist In Ruin, which brings together a rich mix of superb collaborations. On those, Telen told us: “The first stop was in the symphonic department. Jonah Weingarten, known for his incredible work in notable bands like Pyramaze and Catalyst Crime, is an old acquaintance of mine.

“All the other musicians were found on music-for-hire websites and all were already experienced members of very talented bands in the past. César Moreira (vocals in Enblood) and João Miguel (lead guitar in Enblood) deliver the brutal vocals and technical lead guitar solos on this EP. Jessy Christ (NZGL, Syndo-syS) delivered a range of soprano, melodic, and heavy vocals as the female counterbalance to César’s deep death vocal assault. Sebastian Bracht (Sophicide, Dahlian) delivered a unique male a cappella metal choir that fit perfectly in the middle of the EP to balance it all out. Konstantin Raydovski, a session guitarist very early in the project delivered solos that were perfect for The Affliction and Scourge.”

The EP opens up in dramatic fashion with stabbing strings and a laid-back melody in the intro to the title track Exist In Ruin. The pace picks up as heavy vocals join in, giving way to dramatic female vocals and backing vocals in a powerful chorus. A second chorus gives way to a delightful guitar solo, which drops into a powerful conclusion.

The intensity steps up a notch in the brutal Stained Legacy, which features vicious vocals supported by dramatic guitars, strings and drums. There’s a delicious guitar solo – which you can check out here – mid-way through supported by relentlessly heavy drums, which drops into a gothic quiet section before a heavy outro.

The extremely dramatic The Affliction may well be the highlight of the EP. It kicks off with a dramatic staccato-string-led intro, which is joined by heavy vocals and female vocals. That flows into a powerful verse before the dual vocals return and the intensity develops with a huge kicking bass drum. That all builds up to a brief piercing guitar solo, then stabbing guitars as it reaches a crescendo with a massive final chorus. Check it out in the video here:

There’s even more symphonic goodness in Paradigm and a personal favourite Scourge, which is layered with intriguing orchestral elements. A light intro is blown apart by a brutal scream and darting strings and guitars, then heavy vocals give way to engaging female vocals. A superb dual guitar solo takes over and drops into choral vocals and powerful drums, before female vocals give way to heavy vocals to conclude the track. In a slightly different but really interesting video, check out the orchestral elements of the track provided by Jonah Weingarten here:

The Exist In Ruin sound is heavily influenced by early 90s death, melodic death, black, or symphonic black metal and even metalcore bands. That includes the likes of Dimmu Borgir, Amon Amarth, Dissection, Old Man’s Child, Immortal, Naglfar, Behemoth, Graveworm, At The Gates, as well as bands with clean vocals like In Flames and Soilwork.

And on what inspires his music, Teren explains: “The themes present throughout the EP relate to dystopia, darkness, and war. Each song tells a story of the persecution of victims by some kind of inner battle with their own demons, direct persecution by tyrannical force, or some kind of evil institutional malpractices or religious persecution.”

There’s plenty more to come from Exist In Ruin, including several new singles set for release in 2023. As Teren says: “The intent is to take the sound up a notch more with even more intricate, guitar-heavy work and new vocal styles, while still keeping it sounding like Exist In Ruin. Work is well underway and guitars are just about complete for three singles. Lyric crafting is in progress and research and recruiting of some new collaborators is underway.

“Exist in Ruin will continue to evolve musically and lyrically. Expect the core sound of Exist in Ruin, but also expect something a bit different with each release!”

You can follow Exist In Ruin on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp and YouTube. And check out more bands on the WormHoleDeath label.