With this being the year of the pandemic, many indie rock bands and artists’ 2020 releases were simply ‘missed’ as indie music fans’ lives were turned upside down.
Compounding that was the fact – in most cases – indie bands were unable to promote their releases with live shows.
Such was the case for the indie duo known as In Ruin. The two Detroit musicians behind the moniker are Terry Collia (guitars, vocals, percussion, synth) and Alex Shields (bass guitar, percussion, piano).
On their spectacular 2020 release, Hallow, Collia and Shields cook up a tantalizing blend of experimental Americana folk songs with emotive moods on spooky songs like “A Poison Tree” and intricate musical compositions as well as the dark, somber notes of songs like “Waters.”
The album is In Ruin’s first full length in four years and features guest appearances by members of genre luminaries Of the Wand & the Moon, Ostara, By the Spirits, and Night Profound.
Tracks like the brooding darkness of “Reckoning” and the title song make this album a perfect host for Halloween.
From the opening track of “Crossroads”, featuring Richard Leviathan, through the final piece, “Kysstu og Farðu” the band takes the listener on quite a fantastic sonic journey.
Despite the pandemic, the response to the album was impressive, including a strong show of support from the Bandcamp community.
