Date: Friday August 28th
Venue: XL Live
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Occasion: Ruiness CD Release Party
Subjects: Ruiness, KVRMA and Ultraviolent

Brett Anspach of Ultraviolent Playing at XL.

Next up was another powerhouse in the Central Pennsylvania scene in KVRMA. The band recently added second vocalist Nolan Mateer also the frontman in Art of Deception. His screaming contrast goes perfectly with lead vocalist Jack Gurecki, who also doubles as photographer. First off Jackson’s voice is other worldly. The show opened with him alone singing the first notes of “Pendulum” with the band slowly taking the stage as the song builds into a full-blown rocker. Gurecki wears his hood covering his face the entire time and the band all wears glowing pink arm bands to set a tone for the ambiance of the performance. The band followed that up with “The Dream you Made” and “Drown inside a Lullaby”. We got a special treat when Ruiness’s Ariana came out to sing “Eye of The Angel” with the band. Constantly showing appreciation to the crowd and even got a wall of death for a song or two. It came time for the band to play the brand-new single that arrived on streaming services on this day. “Consumed” is a song that starts out slower with Jacks haunting voice as it builds w/ instruments entering the song until the chorus hits and that’s when the song really takes off. A little pre chorus with Nolan’s growling into his full on screaming for the chorus. It takes shape and is reminiscent of a Bad Omens or sleep token sound in some ways but full on KVRMA in others. The band mentioned that this was nearly 2 years to the day that they played their live debut, that being opening for New Years Day at Lovedrafts for one of my shows. Then closing with their biggest hit to date and the first song they released as a band. “Silence” is the perfect blend of hard and soft and would 100% be the song I’d suggest to someone unfamiliar with the band’s music. They always leave the crowd wanting more and tonight was no different.

Ariana Belle Troni of Ruiness headlines XL Live.

RUINESS SET-LIST:

Intro.
01. “The Decline”
02. “Normality”
03. “The Airwaves”
04. “Ignite (Light it Up)”
05. “Afterlife Line”
06. “Ghost”
07. “Settle Down”
08. “End of Rain”
09. “Victoria’s Secret” (Jax Cover)
10. “Wish You Well”
11. “Your Friendly Neighborhood…”

The celebration was on tonight as Ruiness had just unleashed their debut album “The Airwaves” which was the bands original name when they started out as a tribute / cover band. The members handpicked the lineup for the release show and did a fantastic job. It was a mix and that’s what I like. Opening up the night was SAMIRITAN SNARE, a band out of lancaster. They kicked the night off with some very groovy jams that I must say I enjoyed. I had not seen them or even heard them before and I was impressed. The show was a who’s who of local musicians and friends, so I did spend much of the first set cabbing away with people. I’m excited to get these boys on a bill and / or see them again in the near future.
Following the chill and groove we had the band kick into another gear entirely when Pine Groves ULTRAVIOLENT took the stage. Now I’ve mentioned this and will go on record now saying I think lead singer / screamer Brett Anspach is one of the best Vocalists in our area and that compliment extends beyond the area. The way he makes the stage his, directs the crowd and goes from smiles to growls, encouraging pits to jokingly saying “Hi Dad” who was in the front row. The band brought intense energy to the stage w/ Songs like the brand new “Bottom Feeder” and “Eyes of God.. The band also debuted a new track entitled “All my Heroes are Dead”. One thing about an ultraviolent show is when you just saw them you know it and you remember it. Brett made a point to commend every single band on the bill, all being CPMA award nominee’s or winners.

Jackson Gurecki Performs at XL Live.

The opening bands were all incredible, but this night was all about Ruiness. The crowd saw members of Defiant, Lyndhurst, Hot and Dangerous, Hath No Fury and more all there to support them. The bands intro features an audio clip of an interview in which they discuss coming together as a band. I found that very cool. Then to an echo of cheers and screams the band took the stage with “The Decline” which is the perfect opener. Vocalist Ariana Belle Troni is the scenes new Lzzy Hale with an even bigger sense of humor. I don’t recall ever seeing a singer have so much damn fun on that stage. She is 100% in her domain up there. Her lyrics are powerful and her pipes are unending. The band Led into “The Airwaves” by saying “If ever we had a video game song, this is it”. The floor was pretty packed for this, and it was great to see such support for a band that has come so far and put so much work in. The songs came so fast because they are so enjoyable and they would do a full play through of the new record. Guitarist Greg Archibald (Formerly of Voidhidden) would take over the keys for the final album track and brand-new single “End of Rain”. This song really encompasses Ariana’s range and what this band can really do. Upon finishing the album, they played one cover for the night which was Jax’s “Victoria’s Secret” and the band absolutely nailed it. Closing out the night with two non-album tracks “Wish You Well” and the band’s first release “Your Friendly Neighborhood…” Closing out where it all began was such a perfect full circle. The band played nothing like a Local band and more like a national touring artist. Congratulations to the band on the album release and spectacular evening!!!

KVRMA SET-LIST

01. “Pendulum”
02. “The Dream You Made”
03. “Drown inside a Lullaby”
04. “Eye of the Angel”
05. “Consumed”
06. “Filth”
07. “Silence”

ULTRAVIOLENT SET-LIST

01. “AFTERMATH”
02. “DREADKNIGHT”
03. “DROUGHT”
04. “THUNDERDOME”
05. “ALL MY HEROES ARE DEADY”
06. “CATACLYSM”
07. “BOTTOM FEEDER”
08. “EYES OF GOD”