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.
Feast or Famine
Within the Ruins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dont act like theres an option, youll be the one who fades quick
Watch the sky swallow the sun one more time and take in the nights empty serenity
No plan of action, no grand schemes
No sanctuary, no hope for change
Having tasted a better life puts me...
At the bottom for so long, gazing at the opening above me
I see a hope for change, I see a hope for more
Life is what you make it
What you make it
No holding back
Today I feast on this spoiled world as the rest famine
As the rest famine below me, as the rest famine
The song "Feast or Famine" by Within the Ruins reflects on the dystopian view of the world that is gradually heading towards destruction. The lyrics describe the sense of despair and hopelessness that people feel in such a world when they have to choose between two extremes – feast or famine. The metaphorical use of the words "feast" and "famine" suggests that the world is divided into those who have and those who don't, and in such a scenario, it's crucial to take as much as you can to survive. The lines, "Watch the sky swallow the sun one more time, and take in the night's empty serenity," suggest the despair and loneliness that people feel while watching the inevitable destruction of the world.
The song offers no solution, no plan of action, no grand schemes, no sanctuary, and no hope for change. The lines, "Having tasted a better life puts me... at the bottom for so long, gazing at the opening above me," suggest that those who have once tasted the good life are now at the bottom, struggling to rise above, but there seems to be no escape. The lines, "I see a hope for change, I see a hope for more, just sacrifice for survival," suggest that even in such a world, there is always a glimmer of hope for change, but one has to make sacrifices to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
In a dying world its feast or famine, breathe deep and take your pick
The world is either abundant or scarce, and you must decide which to choose.
Dont act like theres an option, youll be the one who fades quick
There is no choice; if you don't act quickly, you will be left behind.
Watch the sky swallow the sun one more time and take in the nights empty serenity
Observe the beauty of the sky as the sun sets and appreciate the silence of the night.
No plan of action, no grand schemes
No strategy or master plan is in place.
No sanctuary, no hope for change
No place of refuge, no optimism for improvement.
Having tasted a better life puts me...
Remembering what life was like before makes me...
At the bottom for so long, gazing at the opening above me
Having been at the bottom for a long time, I look up at the opportunity to rise.
I see a hope for change, I see a hope for more
I believe change is possible, and I aspire for a better life.
Just sacrifice for survival
Success requires sacrifice and dedication to survive.
Life is what you make it
Your life is shaped by your actions and decisions.
No holding back
Don't be hesitant or restrained.
Today I feast on this spoiled world as the rest famine
Today I will thrive in this desolate world, while others struggle.
As the rest famine below me, as the rest famine
As others suffer, I will succeed and surpass them.
Contributed by Caleb K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.