Review by Brian on December 27, 2013.

The one man band is nothing new to black metal. However, the success of such acts varies. The most popular and successful of these would be Burzum. Varg Vikernes, at the age of 18, realized that this allows you absolute creative freedom. Varg had a feel for doing this, his energy and raw approach to his music was the perfect storm for the Norwegian black metal scene that was emerging in the early 1990's. Xasthur from California was a great one man project of depressive suicidal black metal and Host recorded everything on Taake's debut. These are the standouts, but the list would be a lot longer if I began to mention those who didn't do so well.

Enter Germany's Eternal Wisdom. Hanni, who plays all the instruments, released his second full length Meditation Of The Cleansing Fire in 2012. Right from the start you realize it's nothing new. This is pretty standard issue black metal. It's melodic, but a lot of this is lost due to it's incredibly poor production. It sounds as though he was going for a layering of the music, which if done correctly would have given this album the boost it needs. Every instrument seems mashed together and there are no drums to speak of. Where are the drums, you ask? They are there buried beneath the uninspired and unoriginal guitar riffs.

It's not all bad, there are some good songs on here. "Revelation Of A Dreaming God" is a solid song with a nice little break down into an acoustic part where you can actually hear the drums. The closer "Cry For The Emptiness (Part 2)" has an epic feel to it, that feel heartfelt and real. It's not over dramatic like most of the album. Eternal Wisdom shows some promise of a future, but until the production is fixed and some creativity can be found, it remains an album that I would only suggest for the most die hard black metal fans.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 2
Originality: 5
Overall: 4

Rating: 4.6 out of 10

Review by JD on June 29, 2009.

Face Of Ruin... even the name screams out that this band is pure Death Metal. That is what is promised by this Milwaukee based five piece, so that is exactly what you end up getting. Harsh as someone doing an acid gargle, brutal as a Antarctic storm and straight out heavy. The band is simply some of the most intense metal out there..

This is like almost no other band I have came across... Face Of Ruin has this progressive edge with their take on the music, yet they still are able to keep this barbaric sort of raw energy both musically and lyrically. These two sides are in perfect balance, which makes them more dangerous. Clearly, Face Of Ruin is a band that does not or will they ever coddle the listener, they just set out to pummel you note after note as you are listening to this EP.

What makes Face Of Ruin so amazing, is that no so hidden level of talent that oozes out of each metallic strike they do. With the two sides always straddling that perfect balance line of strength and finesse at all times, the outcome is that they come out with the most honest feeling music that can really play while continually blowing your ass off with every note. Adding in to the concoction of talent and heaviness, the lyrics that are there are bleak and barren as a hot day in the desert.

Face Of Ruin spins darkened tales of pure malice and searing pain that just adds that extra bit of sheer viciousness to the fun of it all... and making this band an act that is worthy to have the tag ‘Death Metal’ hung on them. They deliver what they set out to, and we are all mighty grateful for that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.5 out of 10