Reflections of Internal Rain

Location: Novi Sad, Serbia

Year active: 2004 - active

Members: Petar Žutić (guitar), Ivan Sabo (guitar, vocals), Nebojša Ćato (drums), Ivan Gačević (vocals), Nikola Crvenković (bass, vocals)

Related bands: 3D Roshava Pipe, Ground Zero, Shoplifters

Labels: Fast 'n' Easy Records, Geenger Records, Good Samaritan Records, Shitpiece Records, SKC Records, Strikedown Records.

FFO: Ekkaia, Fall of Efrafa, His Hero Is Gone, Tragedy

Oh man, i don't know where to begin. This band, given where they came from and all, is definitely something, like an unforgiving, benevolent force. And i admit, i haven't seen them that much, but i had luck seeing them live along with No Omega and Eaglehaslanded back in September 2013, taking place at a once defunct club called Panic Room Žica. It is one of my very first time attending a hardcore show, so when ROIR came along, their set commenced a mosh pit, which shook me to the absolute core. I have never seen such ferocity of atmosphere coming at me like that. It was definitely one of the unforgettable experience.

Formed in 2004, they released a demo EP "Across This Emptiness" in 2005, as well as a split with a Russian band Rededrang, before releasing their debut LP "Last Flood" in 2009. The LP contains 14 track barrage of apocalyptic guitar melodic, throat shredding vocals, rhythmic military machine gun drums with vocals dealing with topics of trauma, given from a country with a rich history of trauma, as well as their dedication to a friend who passed away in Stefan Ilincic in 2007. Their music has gained popularity in its local Novi Sad scene and has garnered attention outside Serbia, as well as extensive touring across Europe. 

Throughout their touring, they have released a split release with a fellow neocrust band from Banja Luka, Deer In The Headlights in 2011. However, due to an apparent dispute, each of them re-released their respective sides, with ROIR titling the EP as "Answers" in the following year, before falling into a near-decade of deep hiatus.

The EP exhales a bit of fresh air into the screamo territory, almost leaning into elements of Raein, Amanda Woodward and Daitro while keeping up with their neo-crust roots. It keeps up with being more brutal, unforgiving and visceral while closing with a revised and longer version of "Roir Barmy Army".

Note: This segment is taken from my review on behalf of DIYConspiracy.com

After nearly a decade of absence, the ROIR team has awoken from their hibernation and come back stronger than ever with their latest release titled "Eight". A six track EP packed with a lot of conciseness, care and a few deep punches. According to the band, the title Eight refers to a member’s parent’s eight-month battle with cancer, so the lyrical content takes a deep dive into that experience, an experience so harrowing it’s overwhelming with despair.

With the exception of the EP’s final song, “Overcoming The Silence,” which laments:

Tired of feeling broken,
abandoned, wanted to believe
that nothing has changed,
that everyone will stay the same.

But then ROIR proceeds to take a few steps further to acceptance and clarity, followed with:

My lungs full of clean air,
moment of clarity and overcoming of the silence.
Nothing’s going to stay the same,
this is the last time I pull the strings
to my own arms.

This is an EP that is set to grow on you for good reason. ROIR’s release is a celebration of humanity’s most vulnerable moments in life, giving the ability to grieve, accept and move on.

And that is the end of ROIR's discography so far. Given that they're the only neocrust to come out of Serbia who has managed to influence a lot of bands from the region, i highly salute them and root for them to continue with their craft and inspire as many people in and out of their scene as much as they can. This is without the doubt one of the influential acts in the region.