Formed in Washington DC in 1998, Age of Ruin was conceived as a band that would blend the melodic elements of Scandinavian metal with the brutality of the heavy American hardcore scene. This endeavor was begun as a four piece consisting of the melodic metal six string styling of guitarist Daniel Fleming along with a crushing rhythm section consisting of drummer Pat Owens and bassist Chris Fleming overarched by the intensity of vocalist Derrick Kozerka.

With the release of the 1998 demo soon after their inception, Age of Ruin played live regularly clenching opportunities to share the stage with national and international metal and hardcore acts such as In Flames, Dillinger Escape Plan, ZAO, Bane, Saves the Day, Hatebreed, and countless others. In 2000, the band put forth their first self-released full length,