Poison Ruïn

Poison Ruïn
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
GenresHeavy metal
black metal
post-punk[1]
Years active2020–present
MembersMac Kennedy
Nao Demand
Will McAndrew
Allen Chapman

Poison Ruïn is an American punk/heavy metal band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band consists of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Mac Kennedy, guitarist Nao Demand, bassist Will McAndrew, and drummer Allen Chapman.[1] Their most recent album Hymns from the Hills was released in April 2026. The band's music has been described as "dark age punk"[2] and "medieval-minded metallic punk,"[3] with a "doomy, dungeon-crawler aesthetic that summons the drab hues and existential dread of the dark ages"[4]

History

Poison Ruïn was originally formed as a one-man do it yourself project by Mac Kennedy, who conceived of the project during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Kennedy recorded a self-titled EP at a warehouse in Philadelphia and released it in March 2020.[5] In 2021, the song "Demon Wind" appeared on the compilation Metal Massacre XV.[6] More material recorded solely by Kennedy was released in 2022 under the title Poison Ruïn II,[2] Those recordings have been described as "raw" punk mixed with dark synthesized sounds.[7] Kennedy's lyrical themes are based on religion and the historical events of the Middle Ages,[2] combined with commentary on modern political conflicts.[4] Kennedy has also used his interests in medieval fantasy novels and magical realism in his lyrics.[8][9]

The 2020 EP was heard by other Philadelphia musicians who offered to help Kennedy expand the project into a full band. Demand, McAndrew, and Chapman became full-time members, and all four play on the band's later releases. The full band first played live in June 2021.[5] after rehearsing for nearly a year.[10] The early incarnations of the band have been described as "a compelling curiosity: an anonymous, no-fi anarcho-punk project, kitted out in chainmail and singing about the plight of the medieval peasantry."[11]

The first album recorded by the entire band, Harvest, was released in 2023.[12] That album expanded the band's sound into thrash metal and black metal.[7] Harvest received positive reviews from heavy metal and punk media, with Pitchfork calling it "bracing and incendiary," with "promises [of] transport, whether to a bygone time or a different emotional plane."[13] New Noise called the album "an auspicious, full-length debut that announces the arrival of a major new talent to the world of all things punk rock."[14] That magazine also described the band's lyrical outlook as "both dramatically forceful and uplifting, like using the rallying cry of an eventual victory to guide some battle in a powerful symbol of fervent hope."[15]

The album Hymns from the Hills was released in April 2026. The track "Eidolon" had been selected two months earlier by Consequence as its "Heavy Song of the Week."[16] That magazine also described the band's evolving sound as "a marriage of early punk rock with heavy metal melodicism."[17] Pitchfork noted the album's "cleaner production, catchier melodies, and wider-ranging influences," and concluded that the band "have evolved by integrating influences from across the heavy music spectrum"[11]

Members

  • Mac Kennedy – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Nao Demand – guitar
  • Will McAndrew – bass
  • Allen Chapman – drums

Discography

Albums

  • Harvest (2023)
  • Hymns from the Hills (2026)

Extended plays

  • Poison Ruïn (2020)
  • Poison Ruïn II (2022)
  • Confrere (2024)

Singles

  • "Not Today, Not Tomorrow" (2022)

References

  1. 1 2 Brow, Jason. "2020s Underground Metal Band Announces 2026 North American Tour". Parade. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Hayes, Craig (23 November 2022). "NWODAP: A Beginner's Guide to Poison Ruïn's New Wave of Dark Age Punk". diyconspiracy.net. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  3. ↑ "Poison Ruïn Announce New Album 'Hymns From The Hills': Hear "Eidolon"". stereogum.com. 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  4. 1 2 Monger, James Christopher. "Poison Ruïn: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  5. 1 2 Hughes, Spencer (2023-04-04). "Band To Watch: Poison Ruïn". stereogum.com. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  6. ↑ Smith, Jonathan (2021-05-21). "Various Artists - Metal Massacre XV (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  7. 1 2 Thomas, Fred. Poison Ruïn: Harvest Tracks & Reviews | AllMusic, retrieved 2026-06-20
  8. ↑ Phelan, Tom (2026-04-03). "Poison Ruïn still conjure arcane punk for the fraught times". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  9. ↑ Pearce, Dutch (2020-05-29). "Demo:listen: Poison Ruïn". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  10. ↑ Terich, Jeff (2026-03-25). "Poison Ruin interview — An expanding realm". Treble. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  11. 1 2 Sanders, Brad. "Poison Ruïn: Hymns From the Hills". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  12. ↑ Greene, Linnie. "Poison Ruïn: Härvest". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  13. ↑ Greene, Linnie. "Poison Ruïn: Härvest". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  14. ↑ "Album Review: Poison Ruin - Harvest". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  15. ↑ Newton, Caleb R. (22 May 2023). "Interview: Poison Ruin on State of the Band and the World –". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  16. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (2026-04-03). "Poison Ruin Break Down New Album Hymns from the Hills Track by Track". Consequence. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  17. ↑ Hickman, Langdon (2026-03-26). "Poison Ruin Unleash New Song "Guts (Lay Your Self Aside)"". Consequence. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
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