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.
VERSUS
Within the Ruins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
then he's an evil motherfucker.
He's watching his greatest creation die.
Before his eyes.
Dead before his eyes.
Oh.
There is a war outside, so, wake, up.
If God, is real,
Enjoying the show.
As, his greatest creation,
Cries before his eyes.
Cries because he lies.
Here i am
With arms wide open
I'm calling you out
Show yourself
I'm calling you out
show yourself
I'm calling, I'm calling you out
If God is real,
then he's an evil motherfucker.
He's watching his greatest creation die.
Before his eyes.
Dead before his eyes.
Fuck your mysterious ways
Fuck your gift of free will
This is me versus you
This is me in my finest hour
I'm calling you out
This is me versus you
This is me in my finest hour
I'm fucking calling you out
Without him you are godless
With him you are fucking hopeless
Fucking hopeless
This is me versus you
This is me in my finest hour
This is me calling you out
Calling you
Calling you
The lyrics from Within the Ruins's song Versus express a sense of frustration and anger towards the idea of God. The singer starts with a controversial statement that if God is real, then he must be evil because he is watching his supposed greatest creation die before his eyes. The singer is calling out to God, asking him to show himself and explain why he has allowed such destruction and chaos to occur. The imagery used in the lyrics speaks of a war outside, as if there is a battle between good and evil happening that God is not intervening in. The singer ends the song with a sense of defiance, saying that he is calling God out and that this is his finest hour.
One interpretation of this song could be that it is a critique of organized religion, where the concept of God and the existence of evil are both central themes. The singer questions the nature of God and his supposed omniscience, as he is watching his creation die without intervening. The frustration expressed in the lyrics speaks to a desire for answers and a sense of justice for the injustices of the world. The phrase "me versus you" can also be interpreted as the singer's rejection of traditional religious doctrine and the idea that there is an authority figure to call upon in times of crisis. Rather, the singer is taking control of the situation and calling God out to answer for his perceived indifference.
Line by Line Meaning
If God is real,
The singer is questioning the existence of God.
then he's an evil motherfucker.
The singer thinks that if God exists, he's cruel and unjust.
He's watching his greatest creation die.
If God exists, he's observing the death and suffering of humanity.
Before his eyes.
The artist emphasizes that God is directly witnessing the destruction of the world.
Dead before his eyes.
The artist repeats the previous line to accentuate the idea of a merciless God.
Oh.
A brief interjection to emphasize emotions of anger and despair.
There is a war outside, so, wake, up.
The singer alludes to the constant struggle of life and urges the listener to be alert and aware.
If God, is real,
The artist repeats the same question to reinforce the point.
he's probably kicking back.
The artist thinks that if God exists, he's not concerned with humanity's suffering.
Enjoying the show.
The artist believes that if God exists he's amused by the destruction he's witnessing.
As, his greatest creation,
The singer refers to humanity as God's most remarkable work.
Cries before his eyes.
The artist emphasizes the idea that God is indifferent to human sorrow and tragedy.
Cries because he lies.
The singer accuses God of being deceitful by not intervening to prevent human suffering.
Here i am
With arms wide open
I'm calling you out
Show yourself
I'm calling you out
show yourself
I'm calling, I'm calling you out
The singer is directly challenging God to reveal himself and to take responsibility for his actions.
Fuck your mysterious ways
The singer is angry with God's perceived obscure plans and actions
Fuck your gift of free will
The artist blames God for giving humans free will, despite knowing that it could lead to evil.
This is me versus you
This is me in my finest hour
I'm calling you out
The artist sees himself in a confrontation with God and is determined to face him.
Without him you are godless
With him you are fucking hopeless
Fucking hopeless
The singer believes that life is meaningless with or without God's existence. He despairs the idea of an uncaring god and prefers to challenge him.
This is me calling you out
Calling you
Calling you
The singer reiterates his challenge to God and demands accountability for his actions.
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brandon Jeffers
Literally one of the sickest albums ever released by any band. In my opinion it doesn't get any better than this. Major props to the band for releasing music that is far from generic. Amazing.
Joey Drummer
Hands down
Joey Drummer
This album and ID by Veil Of Maya were my high school soundtrack basically I used to walk around school between classes and shit with headphones in my ears , air drumming to both those albums. 2 of the greatest tech metal albums ever made
Kerath
Within the ruins deserves to be more popular.
Sylosismic
+Kerath 100% agreed, as Erra who play Progressive Metalcore as well \m/
Thrashaero
+Kerath they would be if they'd replace this run of the mill deathcore dorkass on vocals spouting his unfocused self affirmation tough guy lines.
Serge Droban
Jeremi Mayer bruh this is straight up djent not metalcore
Joey Drummer
This ENTIRE album and ID by Veil of Maya are 2 of the greatest tech metal albums ever released and will probably never be beaten
Collin Aldridge
Id is fantastic but it's too short. Always seems like it's like 25 minutes long. Tbh I like Creature and The Common Man's Collapse a little more. They seem more dense and intricate albums but Invade and [id] have some sick grooves
Gh0stp3wp3w
ID was one of my favorite albums
Now i have to listen to it in its entirety, thanks