So about eight years ago was when I first encountered Ruthless. The album was They Rise and I remember not being very impressed with what I heard. So now, in 2024, along comes The Fallen. What the hell, let’s give these guys another shot, hey?
The first thing I’ll say is that the band definitely has a stranglehold on 80’s mannerisms. Whether that’s good or bad is really up to you. Just know that you’ll find them in spades. Frontman Sammy DeJohn has a very good voice/range, and he suits the music just fine. Guitarist Glen Paul coaxes many tasty riffs from his axe, and I was surprised to learn he’s the only guitar player in the group. Because quite a few times the links are beefier than expected. My favorite track is without a doubt “Dead Fall”. This number takes off at a gallop and never lets up.
Elsewhere “Thulsa Doom” invites you on a slow yet epic journey not for the faint of heart, and that is in no way a bad thing. Closer “Live to Die” ticks all the metal boxes and will have many heads a-banging for sure. All told The Fallen is a rather enjoyable, if occasionally cliched metal affair. That’s really not a problem, but it does get a little old after a while. But hey, plug in and rock 80’s style to your hearts content, I always say.
Standout Tracks: “Live to Die”, “Dead Fall”, “Dark Passenger”.