Whores.

Ruiner is the debut release from Atlanta, GA's Whores., bringing all the best elements of a big city band that also happen to hail from the South: slow, folk-y Southern drawl riffs mixed with the type of auditory violence that only comes to life in the bustle of an urban night. These guys pack a punch that would make the NRA take cover, with some of the catchiest metal you'll hear this holiday season. Ruiner is solid grooves across the board. In a departure from what most metal acts are currently doing, Whores. focus on simple, long, drawn-out riffs. The music and lyrics are articulate but angry; Ruiner never gets too fast, instead taking its time to develop every note with a Southern twang and steady, head-bopping rhythms. The band also keep everything low, with deep, tuned-down riffs supported by throbbing bass and drums in every track. Ruiner is good-times BBQ metal, the kind of beer'n'whisky biker metal that's more democratic than some of the more extreme black or death subgenres. This isn't a criticism, as the quality of the songwriting is solid throughout. Stay tuned, because a group this promising must have some great material on the horizon.