The Ruins of Ambition is an album from last year that somehow snuck under my radar. It's a bit surprising, considering that it's from a Midwest band, and that the album came out on one of my favorite Michigan labels. It was even recorded at Sonic Iguana, which pretty much produced the soundtrack of my youth. Anyway, The Enders are an Indiana based trio who play fast, slightly metal-tinged punk and hardcore. This stuff is right up my alley. They are led by guitarist/vocalist Ben Hagood, who also does the solo acoustic, folk-punk thing under the name Benny No-Good.

The Enders make a lot of noise for only three guys. The sound is muscular and the recording quality is excellent. The guitars and drums are loud and driving. Hagood's voice is always somewhere between a raspy shout and a raspy scream. The lead vocals are harsh, but they work well with the mostly hostile material. There are no ballads here, only aggressive punk that sometimes approaches thrash. The songs are catchy, with strong hooks and shouted backing vocals on the choruses. It won't be long before you're yelling along to "Self Deluded", "Resist Resist" or "Stand Your Ground". The Ruins of Ambition is mostly two and three minute, no frills tracks. They are angry and full of righteous indignation.

The Enders' cover of Minor Threat's "Salad Days", like the original, has a certain sense of resignation. "Song for the Working Class" may best sum up the bands rust belt roots. These are blue collar anthems by guys who actually punch a clock every day. Songs of despair, tempered with just the slightest bit of hope. The Enders would probably be much better known if they resided on the east or west coast. I suspect a lot of people would enjoy this if it found its way to their ear-holes. I recommend you take the time to check this out.