Poison Ruïn – Confrere EP
A hopeful punk ode emerging from the fog of capitalist alienation.
Fortunately for us, Poison Ruïn continue to stay productive. A year after their impressive full-length debut, Härvest—one of the standout releases of 2023 in the broader punk scene—the Philadelphia-based anarcho-punk band is back with a 20-minute mini-album to keep us on our toes. Titled Confrere, the Latin word for “comrade,” this record was released in August on the same day as the self-titled debut of Shadow Knell, the ambient side project of some band members. It’s clear that in their third EP, Poison Ruïn аре focusing primarily on the raw punk side of their explosive sonic blend.
Confrere doesn’t smooth the rough edges of the Americans’ sound. From the self-titled opening track, Poison Ruïn proves that despite their short time on the scene, they’re not content to rest on their laurels. The guitar leads have increased, the rhythm section echoes the golden days of bands like The Wipers, and the vocal lines emerge from the fog. Confrere is an ode to friendship and camaraderie—concepts that, as the band notes in a related statement, survive even in a society as challenging as ours. Solidarity continues to take root even in the most rugged and inhospitable urban landscapes, and the seven tracks on this new EP honor that hopeful sentiment.
With this release, Poison Ruïn also delves into more atmospheric and mid-tempo passages. Reaching beyond ambient intros and interludes, “Attrition,” at almost five minutes long, embodies this approach and stands as one of the band’s most epic moments. In a similar vein resonates the record’s particularly melodic finale, “Sanctuary.” On the flip side, the explosive “Execute,” with its incredible opening bassline, recalls the magic of classic street punk, packed with rebellious audacity and marking one of the band’s strongest moments to date. Themes of social injustice, hardship, death, and resistance revolve around this record, reaffirming Poison Ruïn’s vital place in today’s scene.
Confrere is an ideal entry point to get acquainted with a band that has taken the underground by storm without making any artistic or political compromises. Poison Ruïn, this time emphasizing guitar leads and the craft of a measured tempo, delivers yet another record with no wasted moments. It’s truly a pleasure and a joy to have bands whose every release becomes tied to a period of your life—a testament to both their songwriting prowess and the deeper connection you develop with them. Poison Ruïn is one of those bands. Don’t wait any longer. They deserve it.
A Greek version of this review was published in Rocking.gr.
