Within the Ruins founding members Joe Cocchi and Kevin McGuill started the band during 2003. The band went through some line-up changes and finally began working on their first self-released EP entitled Driven by Fear which was completed in 2005. Followed by the release, the band began touring in late 2006 in an effort to gain exposure and label recognition. With the release of their second EP Empires through Innerstrength Records the band received an offer from Victory Records. The band's debut studio album Creature was released in February 2009, followed by their second studio album entitled Invade. Invade was released in September 2010, selling over 3000 copies in its first week. The band has most recently toured Europe with Carnifex and has been part of a number of 2011-12 festivals thus far including the Bonecrusher Fest, the Jamboree, New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, the Bamboozle, South by Southwest and 2011's the Summer Slaughter Tour. In support of the Summer Slaughter Tour the band released a 4-song EP entitled Omen. The EP consists of 2 new original songs and a cover of Metallica's "Fight Fire with Fire" and Kansas' "Carry On Wayward Son". In 2013 the band signed with new label eOne Entertainment and released the third studio album called Elite.
On April 20, 2014, vocalist Tim Goergen was hospitalized in the band's hometown of Westfield, Massachusetts with "heart/liver complications". As a result, the band was forced to miss a scheduled appearance at the "Eat Your Heart Out Fest" in Poughkeepsie, New York while touring in support of fellow deathcore mainstays Whitechapel.
The band released an official statement on the occurrence via their Facebook page:
"Yesterday morning Tim checked into a hospital here in Western Mass for a second time since our tour began four days ago. We will unfortunately not be performing at today's Eat Your Heart Out Fest, as we are waiting for clarity on Tim's condition and release. Tim informed us a few weeks before leaving for tour that he was experiencing chest and stomach pains. After his first doctor visit he was advised to "take it easy" if he did do the tour. At this point all we know is that he is experiencing heart/liver complications, will not be released today, but is stable."
Tim's recovery necessitated the band canceling the rest of their scheduled tour dates. On their Facebook page, the band released an official statement:
Unfortunately, at this point we have no other option but to withdraw from the remaining dates of the Whitechapel tour. Tim will be released tomorrow, but due to the seriousness of his condition he has been advised not to engage in any strenuous activity while recovering over the next few weeks. We apologize to any fans that were looking forward to seeing us, but Tim’s health comes first. We WILL be back out this summer in support of our forthcoming album. The rest of the shows are still happening so be sure to make it out and support our friends in Whitechapel, Carnifex and Cruel Hand. See you all this summer!
On July 8, the band released the fourth studio album entitled Phenomena, which reached #72 on the Billboard 200.
On February 15, 2015, while traveling through Pennsylvania in support of Suicide Silence on "The Stronger Than Faith", the band were involved in a serious bus accident. Extreme winter conditions resulted in the band's van and trailer flipping several times on the interstate. None of the band members were injured, however their gear was completely destroyed.
Speaking on the incident, Joe Cocchi stated:
"We rolled about three times from what I can remember and landed on the median. Our van and trailer are totaled. All I can say is that we're happy to be alive. I don't know how, but none of us were injured. We're on the road touring because this is all we know and love, and we want to continue. Help us get back on our feet by picking up a shirt. Thank you all for the continued support."
The band created a GoFundMe page in order to help pay for the damages to their equipment.
On November 21, 2016, Within the Ruins announced their fifth studio album, Halfway Human, and debuted a single, "Death of the Rockstar". On March 3, 2017, the band released Halfway Human. The album debuted at number 191 on the Billboard 200, selling 4,025 copies in its first week.
On February 24, 2018, it was announced vocalist Tim Goergen would be leaving the band following his final performance with the band at the 2018 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival on April 21. His replacement would be Steve Tinnon. On July 27, the band released two new singles, their first with Tinnon, "Resurgence" and "World Undone".
On September 24, 2020, the band announced that their sixth studio album, Black Heart, would be released on November 27.
Bittersweet
Within the Ruins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Your ego is dead
Swinging from its noose
Repugnant
I hope you wake up sterile and dry
To put an end to your pitiful bloodline
I hope these words burn cause I'm not fighting clean
Unbreakable
Back and forth we go
Where we'll stop, no one knows
At first glance it is you that I loath, but it really is just brotherly love
The time has come for you to give up
Step down, die slow
We've both had enough
Had enough
Your methods archaic, but yet effective
Display a true theory of domination
In sovereign pain is where I leave you to rot
In desolate pain is where I leave you to rot
Back and forth we go
Where we'll stop, no one knows
At first glance it is you that I loathe, but it really is just brotherly love
This is my only true, true aspiration
That this becomes your reality
This is my only true true aspiration
The lyrics of Within the Ruins's song "Bittersweet" convey a deep sense of resentment and frustration towards someone, possibly an adversary or an ex-lover. The opening lines, "Hey tell me have you heard the good news? Your ego is dead, Swinging from its noose," suggest that the singer takes pleasure in the downfall of the subject's inflated sense of self-importance. This could hint at a personal feud or a history of mistreatment.
The lyrics continue with a harsh tone, expressing a desire for the subject to suffer and be stripped of their power. The line "I hope you wake up sterile and dry, To put an end to your pitiful bloodline" portrays a wish for the subject's lineage to cease, emphasizing a severe dislike.
The verse mentioning a recurring fantasy of the subject watching their dreams die while feeling dejected further amplifies the singer's vindictive nature. It reveals a desire to witness the subject's emotional pain and frustration, suggesting a deep-seated resentment towards their successes or ambitions.
The chorus of the song portrays a back and forth dynamic between the singer and the subject, where the final destination or resolution is unknown. This ambiguity heightens the tension and emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the singer's emotions. The line "At first glance, it is you that I loathe, but it really is just brotherly love" suggests a complex relationship, possibly indicating that the singer feels conflicted, oscillating between animosity and a twisted form of affection towards the subject.
The song then explores the subject's methods, describing them as outdated yet effective. This juxtaposition could indicate that the singer acknowledges the subject's ability to cause harm despite disapproval. They go on to state that they leave the subject to rot in pain, emphasizing a desire for them to suffer the consequences of their actions.
The lyrics end with a repetition of the line "This is my only true, true aspiration," stressing the singer's sole focus on the subject's downfall. It implies that the singer's satisfaction hinges on the subject's reality aligning with their negative desires.
Overall, "Bittersweet" expresses a mixture of resentment, vindictiveness, and a complicated form of attachment towards the subject. The lyrics navigate a turbulent emotional landscape, highlighting the singer's deep-seated animosity and yearning for the subject's downfall.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Tim Goergen, Joe Cocchi, Kevin McGuill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind