Though the many months of hype that has been encircling Rueben has yet to
amount to anything worthy of idolism of the band, their latest opus, Keep It
To Yourself, seeks to define the Surrey based trio as the UK's most
promising metal outfit.
Keep It To Yourself is built around a beautifully quirky, ill-mannered
guitar riff that regularly airs its snarling voice throughout the song. The
rhythm is heavy, the production tight, and the screams abundant, and it soon
becomes clear that Reuben are trying, and are possibly capable of filling
the vacant space of UK metal brilliance that was left by Vex Red.
On closer inspection though it is clear that Keep It To Yourself is
ultimately disappointing, not least let down by poor lyricism on the part of
Jamie Lenman as he screams; "Just shut up / Just shut your face" - the
listener is struck with the realisation that although promising, Rueben are
still several steps away from where they want to be. To their credit,
however, Reuben make a bastard of a noise for a three-piece, and deserve
credit for mixing metal and pop with such ease and instant appeal.
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