RUINS
1986-1992 (Skin Graft)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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One of the early greats of the noise rock bands from Japan, Ruins is a complete mess of high-pitched vocals and screams, tortured guitars and amazing percussion, ranging in style from dark-sounding metal with guttural vocals to caustic and aggressive free jazz to violin-heavy prog-rock. The brainchild of vocalist and world-renown percussionist Yoshida Tatsuya, the band has featured more bass players than Spinal Tap did drummers - this collection showcases the short but spectacular Ruins careers of bassists Masuda Ryuichi (who also performed with Koenji Hyakkei and Derek Bailey), Hisashi Sasaki, and Kimoto Kazuyoshi (of Ground Zero).

© 2002 - Holly Day