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.
The Carouser
Within the Ruins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Today wasn't good enough
So tonight I'm drinking for all the wrong reasons
Destruction at its best
As I point the bottle to the sky
I find what I've been looking for this whole time
As I point the bottle to the sky
I've really brought the best out in me
Or so I thought
As I remember why today wasn't good enough
Good enough
As I point the bottle to the sky
I find what I've been looking for my whole life
All went black in an instant
The sun poured down on me
And all I could repeat
Through my throbbing mind
All I could repeat
Through my throbbing mind
(Was)
My eyes have seen better days
The lyrics of Within the Ruins's The Carouser describe a moment of desperation where the singer wakes up feeling unfulfilled and decides to drink for the wrong reasons, seeking destruction. As they point the bottle to the sky, they finally find what they've been looking for their whole life, but it leads to everything going black in an instant. The sun pours down on them as they repeat the phrase "my eyes have seen better days" through their throbbing mind. The lyrics convey a self-destructive tendency, searching for something more through drinking, but ultimately leading to a darker place.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone delving into their own mind, looking for something beyond their current mundane existence. The search for something more leads them to drink, in hopes of finding something they can't quite explain. The chorus repeats the phrase "as I point the bottle to the sky, I find what I've been looking for this whole time" - this moment of clarity that drinking has provided. However, this search into the unknown ultimately leads to the blackouts and the phrase "my eyes have seen better days", perhaps acknowledging the negative consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up this morning and decided
I woke up and made a conscious decision
Today wasn't good enough
I didn't feel satisfied with my day
So tonight I'm drinking for all the wrong reasons
I'm drinking to escape my problems, rather than to enjoy a good time
Destruction at its best
My self-destructive behavior is at its peak
As I point the bottle to the sky
I lift the bottle up high
I find what I've been looking for this whole time
I finally feel like I've found something meaningful
I've really brought the best out in me
I thought my bad habits were helping me become a better person
Or so I thought
But in reality, I was just fooling myself
As I remember why today wasn't good enough
I reflect on why I was unhappy with my day
Good enough
I realize that nothing will ever be enough to satisfy me
I find what I've been looking for my whole life
I feel like I've finally discovered my purpose
All went black in an instant
I passed out suddenly
The sun poured down on me
When I woke up, I was met with bright light
And all I could repeat
The only thing I could say over and over again
Through my throbbing mind
Despite the pain in my head
(Was) My eyes have seen better days
I feel terrible and my eyes reflect my condition
Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.