Elite (album)
Elite represents the third full-length studio effort from the American metalcore group Within the Ruins. During its initial week, the album moved approximately 3,750 units—nearly twice the amount sold by their prior release, Invade. This achievement secured their inaugural placement on the Billboard 200, reaching a peak position of number 133. Marking a new chapter, Elite was their first record issued under eOne Music and Good Fight Music after parting ways with Victory Records in 2012. Additionally, it is notable for being the band's first album to feature a single guitarist following Jay Van Schelt’s exit that same year. The official track listing was unveiled on February 14, 2013.
To support Elite, the band released the lead single "Feeding Frenzy" on February 4, 2013, accompanied by a lyric video uploaded to their YouTube channel. Coinciding with the album’s launch on February 26, a music video for "Feeding Frenzy," directed by Kevin J. Custer, was made available. Subsequently, on July 22, a second music video for "New Holy War" was also released online.
Background and recording
On March 20, 2012, Victory Records published a pre-production video showcasing Joe Cocchi and Kevin McGuill crafting demos for what would become Elite.
The recording sessions commenced in spring 2012 at Dreadcore Studios located in White Lake Township, Michigan, with producer Joshua Wickman returning to collaborate—having previously worked on their 2011 album Invade. The band shared behind-the-scenes studio updates on May 8 and June 22, 2012, providing insight into their creative process.
In a 2013 interview with MindEqualsBlown, Cocchi discussed the advantages of working again with a familiar producer and environment:
"During Invade, Josh was still gaining experience," Cocchi explained regarding their five-week stint with Wickman on Elite. "By then, we had established an efficient workflow with him, which streamlined recording and allowed us to maintain a more structured schedule. For instance, we recorded from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., contrasting with the more relaxed sessions previously."
Cocchi further noted that Elite placed greater emphasis on vocal production and lyrical depth compared to Invade, where vocals were tracked over just a few days. He also highlighted an expanded diversity in guitar parts on this album:
"Every track on this record is composed in distinct keys, unlike Invade, where many riffs were interchangeable and bore similarities."
In November 2012, Within the Ruins inked deals with eOne Music and Good Fight Music. Reflecting on this transition and the development of Elite, guitarist Joe Cocchi stated:
"Joining this new team is something we’re proud of, and we anticipate growing further as a band with eOne / Good Fight supporting us. The new album is finished and represents a significant departure from our previous work—we can’t wait for fans to experience it."
Track listing
Notes
- The instrumental piece "Dreamland" features excerpts from Franklin D. Roosevelt's inaugural address.
Personnel
- Within the Ruins
- Tim Goergen – lead vocals
- Joe Cocchi – guitar, production duties
- Andrew Tate – bass guitar
- Kevin McGuill – drums
- Supporting personnel
- Josh Wickman – production, engineering, and mixing
- Leah Urbano and Scott Lee – management team
- Nanouk De Meijere and Eric Powell – booking agents
- Cameron Gray – artwork, illustrations, and design
- Jeremy Saffer – photography
Charts
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