Black metal may be largely identified with Northern Europe, but it has spread its wings all over the globe. Tasmanian duo Ruins play a style of black metal heavily influenced by the bleak and powerful crunch of classic groups like Norway's Immortal, cripplingly heavy yet bathed in atmosphere. Instead of the wind-scoured hills of Norway, however, Ruins draw inspiration from their own exotic, barren landscape. Their second album, CAULDRON, stays away from easy shocks to build tension and drama out of huge rock formations of noise on songs like "Suicidal Pulse" and "Where Time is Left Behind."