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Evil Within is the second album from Los Angeles's Ruthless since reforming around 2008, and third overall, and it is full of the same bruising traditional heavy metal as the band's earlier works. Singer Sammy DeJohn does some cool things with his vocal lines, whether it be screams ("In Blood") or deep bellows ("Skulls") giving Evil Within a degree of character which takes the somewhat generic songs up a notch or two. The lead work is solid and the rhythm section drives the beats with a crisp precision while retaining an organic feel. As I indicated, the songs are typical traditional US metal, in the vein of countrymen Ravage or Steel Assassin (just like their last album) but there isn't a weak one on Evil Within. Ruthless aren't breaking new ground or elevating the style to new heights but they will rock your ass.