For fans of: Patrol, Punter, Steroid
When you think of axe-wielding, chain-mail-wearing medieval figures, you don’t naturally associate them with punk rock. But like a Pavlovian response, the next time you hear a punk track and see a scythe, you’re going to immediately think of Poison Ruïn.
The world they’ve built around medieval imagery is uniquely theirs, giving listeners a new lens with which to examine the world. Somehow, in listening to Hymn From The Hills and Guts (Lay Yourself Aside), there is a symbolism drawn between the way punks of the 80s were fighting against mainstream culture and the peasants of medieval England taking their scythes to the crown — this album would make a great soundtrack for that revolt. Punk has always been a vehicle for themes of counterculture and equality, and this medieval imagery is the perfect allegorical vessel to communicate them.
Hailing from Philadelphia, Poison Ruïn brings a classic analog punk sound to the stage: distorted vocals with heavy delays and tube-screaming guitars layered with chorus effects, flirting with the edge of post-punk territory. Following their self-titled debut in 2021 and Harvest in 2023, their latest release Hymns From The Hills continues to broaden the horizons of what punk can sound like, while remaining true to their analog and gritty roots.
Poison Ruïn is currently on tour in support of their latest record across the north-east United States, with select stops in Canada. We had a chance to see them in Toronto at The Garrison on April 17th, and it did not disappoint.
You can support Poison Ruïn by purchasing the new album on Bandcamp.
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