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.
Invade
Within the Ruins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but our work is not done yet.
Forcing ourselves
through all who oppose.
We are not afraid to get our hands dirty,
not afraid because we were always filthy.
Knee deep in what we love,
but our work is not done yet.
Never turn your back on us
We stand tall, we stand firm
Now it's time to hit them where it hurts.
Walk towards us
and stand in our shadow.
Walk towards us
and be the ones that follow.
We've gotten our hands dirty
and we wont stop now.
To think that we would stop
you must have lost
your fucking mind.
We are continuous,
We are never ending.
We'll give you something to believe in
let us be your breath of fresh air.
Now breathe us in.
We are bringing life into something stagnant.
You lost your fucking mind.
We will stand aside,
one by one
watch you die.
The lyrics of the song "Invade" by Within the Ruins express the band's dedication to their work, no matter what obstacles they face. They are digging through trenches and forcing themselves through anyone who opposes them. They are not afraid to get their hands dirty because they were always filthy, which could mean that they are used to hard work or that they have a history of doing controversial things.
The band urges their listeners to never turn their backs on them because they stand tall and firm. They are ready to hit their opponents where it hurts and invite anyone to walk towards them and stand in their shadow, hoping that they will follow their lead. They claim that they won't stop until they've achieved what they set out to do and that they are never-ending.
The band promises to give their listeners something to believe in, to be their breath of fresh air, and to bring life into something stagnant. They end the song with a warning that they won't hesitate to stand aside and watch their opponents die, one by one, implying that they will be victorious in their mission no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Digging through trenches still
Despite the challenges we face, we continue to move forward in our pursuit.
but our work is not done yet.
Despite our progress, there is still much to be accomplished in order to complete our mission.
Forcing ourselves through all who oppose.
We will face and conquer any obstacles or enemies that stand in our way with determination and force.
We are not afraid to get our hands dirty,
We are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals, even if it means making sacrifices or getting our hands dirty in the process.
not afraid because we were always filthy.
We have always been involved in this dirty work and therefore have no fear of it.
Knee deep in what we love,
We are completely immersed in the pursuit of our passion.
but our work is not done yet.
While we love what we do, we have not yet accomplished everything we set out to do.
We've got a job to do.
We are determined to complete our mission no matter the cost.
Never turn your back on us
Don't underestimate us or turn your back on us, because we will always be present and alert.
We stand tall, we stand firm
We maintain our strength and conviction, no matter what.
Now it's time to hit them where it hurts.
It's time to go on the offensive and attack our enemies where it hurts the most.
Walk towards us and stand in our shadow.
We are intimidating competitors and you will be overshadowed by our presence.
Walk towards us and be the ones that follow.
You should join us in our journey rather than opposing us.
We've gotten our hands dirty and we wont stop now.
Despite the difficulties we have faced, we will continue to work hard and achieve our goals no matter what.
To think that we would stop you must have lost your fucking mind.
Anyone who believes we are going to stop our pursuits is completely insane.
We are continuous, We are never ending.
We will always be involved in our pursuit, and it will remain ongoing forever.
We'll give you something to believe in let us be your breath of fresh air.
We will provide something to inspire and believe in, like a breath of fresh air.
Now breathe us in.
Embrace us completely.
We are bringing life into something stagnant.
We bring new energy and fervor to something that was previously lifeless and stagnant.
You lost your fucking mind.
You are completely insane if you believe we will stop our pursuits.
We will stand aside, one by one watch you die.
We will passively observe as our enemies are defeated and perish, one by one.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Crypt
Digging through trenches still
but our work is not done yet.
Forcing ourselves
through all who oppose.
We are not afraid to get our hands dirty,
not afraid because we were always filthy.
Knee deep in what we love,
but our work is not done yet.
We've got a job to do.
Never turn your back on us.
We stand tall, we stand firm.
Now it's time to hit them where it hurts.
Walk towards us
and stand in our shadow.
Walk towards us
and be the ones that follow.
We've gotten our hands dirty
and we wont stop now.
We've gotten our hands dirty
and we wont stop now.
To think that we would stop
you must have lost
your fucking mind.
We are continuous,
We are never-ending.
We'll give you something to believe in
let us be your breath of fresh air.
Now breathe us in.
We are bringing life into something stagnant.
You lost your fucking mind.
We will stand aside,
one by one
watch you die.
We (we will) will stand aside,
one by one
watch you die.
Marshall Kell
Commenting in 2022 just to say this band is still SEVERELY underrated and amazing.
Love how technical yet heavy they are.
OO4
Can we just take a moment to realize that he had such a tight tone in 2010?
WillBallForSoup
Criminally underrated. Love the tone and creativity of these riffs. Heavy and groovy.
Mp The Prophet
Dude i was literally just upset about this as i finished watching the vid. I literally said to myself "people are fucking stupid how do they not like these guys but jerk to all these other lame lifeless bands that don't have any of the same characteristics as these guys that make them good" Then i stumble upon this comment. It's been 5 years and this vid just got the amount of views an average generic deathcore band would get in just a couple months or so.
messedupmayhem
I know people use literally a lot but I actually literally can't stop listening to this song.
coldbloodedkidder
Not trying to be a dick or anything, but you can't really argue with peoples taste in music, or anything else for that matter. That being said, These guys are amazing. They were amazing from the get go, and I too wonder how people don't realize that, I assume that being able to listen to any music with the click of a mouse makes people fickle. and the moment they see or hear something they don't like about a vid or a song, they simply click on something else. I could say : "This is all your fault YT!!! " but I won't...
Patrycja W
messedupmayhem yup
Josh Melvin
One of the most underrated bands ever, can’t stand the new singer and the light singing
Sean H
You guys haven't lost your signature sound in over 4 albums, that's very rare. Makes me love this band even that much more!
ToXic TaTor
Buying the physical cds back in the day was worth it just for the art . Epic