Review RUTHLESS ‘The Fallen’

Ruthless hail from Los Angeles, California where the band started in 1982. It was a time, when a bit north of Los Angeles, in San Francisco’s Bay Area, bands like Metallica started their journey and together with bands like Slayer and Exodus became forerunners of thrash metal at the time.

While these bands faced an enormous gain of popularity, Ruthless released with ‘Disciples of Steel’ a remarkable debut album yet could make it to the top which also led to the band disbanding in 1988.

Driven by Sammy DeJohn and Bob Guitrau, Ruthless returned in 20008 and release since records since then. With ‘The Fallen’, the fourth longplayer is waiting for its release in January and what can be expected is powerful heavy metal with roots in the 80s.

‘The Fallen’ is the first album the band releases through Fireflash Records and it seems to be a fruitful cooperation. A total of then songs is what the latest effort of Ruthless entails and it is up to the blistering title track to bring listeners into the right mood. ‘The Fallen’ is fast and furious. Heavy riffs, a thundering rhythm section and great vocals is what the song offers. The title track is a good start into the album and what comes with ‘Dark Passenger’ underlines the first impression.

Ruthless shifts gears when it comes to ‘Betrayal’, a song more anchored in raging speed metal. The next song though, ‘No Mercy’, is the counterpart as the tempo is much slower. ‘No Mercy’ is a pounding metal anthem with headbanger qualities.

The epic chapter of ‘The Fallen’ is called ‘End Times’. Starting calm and acoustic, the track evolves to atmospheric metal tune that shows the range of Ruthless’ sound in 2024. Equipped with a Sabbathian riff ‘No Mercy’ is a highlight on the album. And again, to keep a good flow alive it is ‘Soldiers of Steel’ that brings power metal back before we dig deeper into 80s metal with ‘Order of the Dragon’ with Ronnie James Dio who could have provided the blueprint for this song.

‘The Fallen’ is a well-crafted traditional metal record that transfers the sound of the 80s into the here and now. Written and recorded with a the energy of a vibrant metal heart, Ruthless provides music for headbangers. Denim and leather – still alive.