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.
Oath
Within the Ruins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He saw the respect in my eyes and said "Stop at nothing and I will see you again one day"
I have stood where you are standing
I have thought what you are thinking
Now I stand before you sharing my story
There is nothing wrong with chasing a dream
There is nothing wrong with chasing your dream
These words might be simple but they will change your life
Regret nothing
Remember how you get here, something no one can take from you
Experiences to last a lifetime, and no one can take them from you
Take them from you
Just live and don’t look back, if it seems that you have failed
Dust yourself off and wipe the sweat from your head
Set the stage
Scrape my bones from the pavement
Light the fuse and run
Were all in danger
The clock is ticking and our time will soon expire
This road can kill you but its worth every mile
Im never leaving here
Im never coming home
The lyrics to Within the Ruins's song "Oath" is a message of wisdom and encouragement from a wise man to a young man. The wise man sees his reflection in the young man and encourages him to stop at nothing in pursuit of his dreams. He shares his story as someone who has been in the same situation, has had the same thoughts, and has come out on the other side. The words might be simple, but they can change one's life. The young man is encouraged to live and not look back, to chase his dream, and to gain everything without regretting anything. The experiences gained on this road will be priceless, and no one can take them away from him.
The song's lyrics are a powerful message of inspiration, urging young people not to give up on their dreams even if it seems like they have failed. The lyrics say that failure should not discourage one from continuing to pursue their dreams. Instead, they should dust themselves off, wipe the sweat from their heads, and keep going. The song also speaks about the ticking clock, indicating that the time one has is limited, and therefore, one should not waste their time. The road may be difficult and can kill them, but it is all worth it, and the journey should be embraced.
Line by Line Meaning
A wise man once told me I reminded him of himself when he was young
Someone experienced saw a younger version of himself in me.
He saw the respect in my eyes and said "Stop at nothing and I will see you again one day"
This person recognized my ability and encouraged me to relentlessly pursue my goals.
I have stood where you are standing
I have been in your position before.
I have thought what you are thinking
I have had the same thoughts as you before.
Now I stand before you sharing my story
I am now sharing my experiences with you.
There is nothing wrong with chasing a dream
Pursuing a dream is never a bad thing.
There is nothing wrong with chasing your dream
Chasing your personal dream is a perfectly acceptable goal.
These words might be simple but they will change your life
Though the words may be straightforward, they have the power to positively influence your life.
You will gain everything and regret nothing
By pursuing your dreams, you will gain everything and feel no regret.
Regret nothing
Do not have any regrets.
Remember how you get here, something no one can take from you
Your personal experiences, which led you to where you are now, are unique and irreplaceable.
Experiences to last a lifetime, and no one can take them from you
The experiences you have will stay with you forever and nobody can take them away.
Take them from you
No one can take your experiences from you.
Just live and don’t look back, if it seems that you have failed
Do not dwell on past failures, just keep pushing forward and living in the present.
Dust yourself off and wipe the sweat from your head
Pick yourself up and recover from setbacks.
Set the stage
Prepare for what is to come.
Scrape my bones from the pavement
Fight until the end, even if you end up severely hurt in the process.
Light the fuse and run
Ignite the situation and then distance yourself from it.
Were all in danger
We are all at risk.
The clock is ticking and our time will soon expire
We have limited time to achieve what we want.
This road can kill you but its worth every mile
The path may be hard, but the rewards make it worth it.
Im never leaving here
I will never give up.
Im never coming home
Quitting is not an option.
Contributed by Jacob I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.