MUSIQUE MACHINE
Ruhr Hunter's first full length, a few tracks based around wolf type concepts and sounds hence the title. The tracks musically are in a ritual dark ambient vein wondering towards noise elements, which on later tracks, like Great Awakener, literally explodes into industlized noise in a wonderfully seething manner. There's a rather effective use of piano for drone and erie repetitive type elements, almost going towards avant classical prepared piano elements on some occasions. Less varied instrumentation used here than on later releasers, but it still has one hell of an atmosphere, but possibly not as focused as it would become in later work. Never the less, very worthwhile and very developed and consistent for a first release.

NEO-BARBARIC #10
"This is some lush, dark ambient, beautifully gothic experimental noise mixing. I am hyper impressed. Ruhr Hunter does a godly job of providing a sombre, creepy environment out of soft textured sounds. This is dim candle light "music" for the supernatural. At this pace, I see no reason why R.H. will not rank among my favorites...Listen alone!"

SIDE-LINE #31
"The music of "Ritual Before The Hunt" applies a twist of originality on the concept of all that is sonically dark, teetering between vast and abyssal, and thick and suffocating, often with an illusive layer of mysticism coursing through the scattered eerie, melodic sounds. The oppressive background of "Serpent Eclipse" incorporates tones that seem agitated and alive, as if the swirling miasma of sound would devour the soul of the unlucky wanderer. Light ringing percussion and despondent wails caught in the vacuum of the vortex (grim fate of the unlucky wanderer?) fill out the foreground. It is an ambience ominously black and devoid of hope. Samples from David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers are abrasively scrubbed off the walls of the abyss (along with hordes of unknown, scurrying insects) during "Euthanasia." When one presses one's ear to the cold, flat surface of the wall, a strange, machinery throb is detected. Abrupt, noisy clatter draws one away from the intrusion while the oblique, shadowy perspective is enhanced via minimalist piano, eventually turning completely dark as synth's moan, despondence addressed as a seizure of sonic turbulence. Brilliant! The Native American origins of "Come Back, My Brother" (a unique sample opens the sonic doorway), take us to a place where, as before, the sound is drawn from some vast, wind scoured abyss, an abyss echoing with tinkling piano (and related sounds) and creaking, almost percussive textures. When the wolves howl, one realizes the transformation from spirit of man into spirit of nature has been achieved, a mysterious metamorphosis that is, again, brilliant! And the title track merely asks the question: what bizarre ritual is being performed amidst the scrapping ambience and despairing voices? The eight tracks are long and prone to many unique observations and slippery asides (I especially enjoy the occasional machines that seem to unobtrusively toil underneath, grinding and weary...) as they develop; progression always leads to surprise. An astonishing piece of work that connoisseur's of dark sonicscape should definitely seek out. (JCS:9) JCS"

AVERSIONLINE
Yet more excellent ambient noise with harsh overtones. This is excellently recorded with both clarity and depth, and most of the tracks are very long and utilize slow builds, lengthy samples and plodding repetiton (in a good way). "Euthanasia" would make perfect backdrop music for any quality horror film, with it's eerie synthesizers and aggressive swells. Most of this material is predominantly subdued in volume with a sense of foreboding as well as primal associations. I prefer the laid back and suspenseful tracks, the harsher areas have their moments but are not nearly as excited or moving as their counterparts. Also you'll find a great layout and iconography with high quality yet simplistic printing. I'm absolutely waiting for more from this project... (Notable tracks: Serpent Eclipse, Arawn, Ritual Before The Hunt, Gallows)

WORM GEAR #8
"The first thing you'll notice about this disc is the nice job on the packaging, the cover features a black foil stamp on textured black paper with silver ink that just really looks sharp. "...Ritual Before The Hunt" opens with the arcane and unearthly track "Serpent Eclipse" a cavernous peek into the crevasses where dead gods ferment and primitive truths wait to flower again. The next track begins with a sample of a Native American relaying a story of addressing a wolf as an equal, and this really establishes the tone and intent of the rest of the album. The track has a lot of breathless movement to it, like being whisked through some cavern of bones back to a time when the skeletons still had faces and dreams. The swirling frequencies are delicately accented with more discernable instrumentation that adds a certain sadness. From here the lonely drums of "Arawn" set a scene of desolation that turns from despairing to ugly as the shrill electronics come in at the end of the piece to suggest something has gone horribly wrong. This is followed by "Euthanasia" a piece that opens with a sample from the excellent film "Dead Ringers" where the children are discussing sex; this sample coupled with the title and the more violent attack of the music really sits well with me as a not so subtle nod of the head for depopulation. The music carries some of the tension from that previous piece over and then intersects it with melodious washes, dream like atmospheres and fierce bursts. The mix of more abrasive and esoteric noise and the very distinct and fragile traditional sounds really give this whole album a specific feel that you don't hear much in the Dark Electronics realm. The layering is carefully crafted so that everything is shapeshifting but nothing is lost or obscured. The title track is the apex of the release with the electronics swelling alongside samples of feverish beasts and then collapsing to near silence. This leads into the track "Great Awakener" which begins with a primordial ooze sort of atmosphere quiet splashing and cells coming together, and then as if finding consciousness in a frozen pool, the track rips forth exhilarated and screaming. Crisp aerated sounds fold over one another among a sea of grinding teeth and cracking knuckles. The album closes with "Gallows" a melancholy piece with disjointed loops and soft acoustic melodies that builds to a palpitating frenzy and slinks back into the night. This album is not a passive listen, to absorb the intent you have to give it your attention. I'm not entirely sure if this was specifically meant to be a concept album, but in the 64 minutes this disc runs there is a tangible thread of action and emotion that makes it a unique, visceral and engaging listen."

MAELSTROM ZINE
With a very peculiar definition of what an ambient record should sound like, Ruhr Hunter defies the normal rules of today's electronic antics and instead dives head first into something so organic that it seems to rise and fall like the tides themselves. Perhaps largely due to the earthy sound samples, a very nature-like atmosphere surrounds the music itself, instantly reminding of sunny, outdoor scenery and lush landscape adventures. But where there is sunshine... there is rain. Immediately evident because of the all black artwork, the sinister tone is set just by looking inside the booklet, which reveals a very angry looking wolf that seems ready to defend its young ones or just simply gnaw off your arm. And once the music starts playing, rising and falling, you will again greet not only the angry wolf, but some of his kin as well. You have stepped into wolf territory, leaving the pack see fit to slowly eat you unless you turn tail and leave at once. For those brave and bold enough to stand up against the menace, lies a wonderful reward. A musical journey that is set in foggy and snowed under woodlands, with native folk scattered around, playing their drums of strength and good luck for those who are about to hunt. ...Ritual Before the Hunt is a very enticing record, taking you through slow rhythms and lush pulses for an hour, stopping at times to dive down into drum patterns with eerie synths layered above them, the occasional voice sample about fish having sex and other animal antics (take heed, as interesting as fish having sex sounds, the heart attack moment afterwards is absolutely frightening) and atonal outbursts of noise, only to rise upwards again to deliver the very natural atmosphere that this album is built on. Despite some awkward moments this record flows like a very content little river. With all the rising and falling like the tides, wolves and other mystical things, this album should be a blast underneath a full moon. (8.2 out of 10)

SCRIPTURES E-Zine #1
"Let me start off by saying this has a very impressive look to the packaging; it's got a mystical, ritualistic appeal with a Native American slant that is important to the theme of the release. Now on to the important aspect: the music. "Serpent Eclipse" slithers with dark ambience, a haunting feel throughout and with very unique elements in the mix. Chimes sound from a close range, a guitar string is plucked delaying into the oblivion with distant choral voices overtop a bed of streaming black sound; a great beginning to this epic journey. "Come Back, My Brother" features a sample from a known movie, but fits the tone perfect...and the eerie tribal spectres dance in the fires of the abyss. Each soundscape stands on its own as a great example of good structure with theme and outstanding use of various elements. Track titles like "Arawn", "Internal Reunion", "Great Awakener", and the title track unify the theme of the release. Never do we forget this is the ritual before the hunt, while other tracks like "Euthanasia" and "Gallows" reinforce death imagery which is prevalent in the ambient/noise scene as well as Native American religion. Overall, it would be a shame if this slips through the cracks and doesn't wind up in many people's music collections. Great soundtrack works...remember Manitou. Distributors, you need to carry this release."

THE DRAGON'S FLIGHT #3
"Very primitive almost tribal drumming and piano pieces with atmospheric droning moments. This will call the cave dweller in you out and begin your own hunt. This entire release is set in a very minimal, oppressive, almost commanding tone. Then, out of nowhere, the release starts into vocal passages from movies into haunting, violent, yet soothing (at the same time) audio drones. In the end, it all comes back to the primitive side of the human mind. A very interesting project here..." - Clint

MUSIC BOOM - ITALY
"The American Glass Throat Recordings releases this interesting "...Ritual before the Hunt", new chapter of Ruhr Hunter, a one-man band active since 1995, with a well known fame in the U.S.A. already.The dark ambient is the fundament of the entire work, but like the American style, the noise openings are many and strong too. Left "Serpent Eclipse", the full length concept begins to clear out: the sample that opens "Come Back, My Brother" has a Native as a main character, who talks about the wolf (portraited in the booklet) bought, in this Work, as a symbol of Nature, of its Strenght, of its Decadence. The samples that recall natural events are manifold, since this moment ahead, but are not casually used; they have rather the function of creating (often with noising approach) attention and scorn, creeping variously in compositions. An original theme so, for the proposed genre,that the mastermind Chet Scott often hides in claustrophobic landscapes, in burning explosions of power noise ("Great Awakener"), until arriving a "Gallows" that recomposes the developed textures, leading them back to harsh background melodies. To be noticed the elegant artwork, fully in accordance with what exposed in the album; while the recording fundamental for these sonorities, can be still improved. The concept development is sometimes inclined to weaken and fade, leaving the listener lightly confused and disoriented: this is the only true flaw of a work, with no doubt, worthy the attention." - Francesco Gemell

LE VESTIBULE - Radio Show
"...Ritual Before The Hunt" shows a wider spectrum of RUHR HUNTER's universe. Each piece is more detailed, containing samples, percussive elements, piano, the presence of the human voice melting with the thick sonic mist that embraces our mind and lets us forget our body. As we surrender to the ambiences, images appear, resulting from the great cinematographic quality of the music."

MANIFOLD RECORDS - Vince Harrigan
"From the front cover logo, a sawblade swirl of insectoid limbs in black on black linen paper, to the last destructive, black tone that sonorously rings out into the vast depths of listeners consciouness, Ruhr Hunter use this first full-lenght solo disc to utterly distinguish themselves as different and better than anything thats come before, evoking a strenght and direction in their sound that defies any name, idea, scene or philosophy that has ever dirtied up the waters of dark experimental. A tide of cold black mist rolls in, a sorcerous fog of unknown depth, interrupted only by the clean, echoing chimes of struck strings. Then "Come Back,My Brother" is a genius track, taking a spoken sample from a Native American talking about how he went and spoke to the raised wolves who were released back into the wild, telling them that it's good to see them back again, this is backed by the most chilling looped and rattling ghost noises...The idea the music pulls you into then is one of primeval freedom and survival, a natural spirit of dark and light is released upon the world for the duration of the rest of the disc. Astonishing work by a US artist we'll be keeping an eye on...

MALIGNANT RECORDS - Jason Mantis
"Brooding, echoed textures, bleak ambience, and ritual sounds that dissolve into a black void or build into roaring, mildly abrasive and experimental soundscapes. Very unnerving material, where ghostly voices beckon through a burning landscape, nightmarish sounds swirl omnipotently in dangerous hypnotic patterns and nightmares unfold before your eyes, only to disappear back into the void.