Ruins

RUINS are a black metal band from Hobart, Tasmania. Blending an ominous, dark-death metal dynamic amidst melancholic yet eerily seductive black metal style, with venomous and summoning vocal presence; they have been labeled anything from “avant-garde”, “having progressive elements”, “old-school feeling”, or even “post-black metal”. This is no doubt due to their vast range of influences and inspiration drawn from differing spheres of music.
The writing/recording nucleus of the band consists of guitarist/vocalist Alex Pope, who has previously worked with a diverse range of groups of various styles; and drummer Dave Haley, who also lends his talents to such bands as PSYCROPTIC, and The AMENTA. Both musicians have achieved international acclaim in respective fields via extensive overseas touring, and U.S./European recording contracts.
Ideas for forming Ruins go back to the year 2000, however the actual culmination of Ruins begins sometime throughout 2002. At this point both Alex and Dave rehearsed fairly constantly assembling songs, which were recorded for demo purposes in late 2003. Blacktalon Media (ASTRIAAL, PORTAL) released this material as the “Atom and Time” mcd in July 2004. This date also corresponded with Blacktalon Media’s “Legions” 2cd compilation which featured the Ruins track “Desolation”. These releases are available thru MGM distribution in Australia.
Near the end of 2004 Ruins entered the studio and recorded their debut album, with tracking and mixing done by Joe Haley. This album titled “Spun Forth as Dark Nets” was mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm studio in Denmark, and released by Dutch label Neurotic Records (distributed in Australia by STOMP). The cover art is the work of prize-winning Italian artist Lorenzo Mariani, who has previously worked with DARKTHRONE and ABORYM amongst others.
Since rounding out their live performing lineup with Joe Haley on additional guitar and Kai Summers on bass, Ruins have done a handful of shows around Australia. They have played in their hometown Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney for the first ‘Festival of the Dead’, and in Canberra for the final ‘Metal for the Brain’. Their run of shows in support of Norwegian Black Metal Legends - SATYRICON took them back to Melbourne and Sydney, and to Adelaide and Brisbane for the first time. Ruins were hand picked by Satyricon for this their first Australian tour, this seeing their profile raised immediately to that of an elite name in black metal. The ‘Overcranked’ festival saw Ruins return and consolidate their strong following in Brisbane, with this festival appearance Ruins have now played alongside some of the foremost names in not only 'metal', but 'rock', 'indie', and 'alternative' music also.
In June 2007 Ruins were honoured to open for "the Godfathers of Black Metal", the mighty - CELTIC FROST, on their first ever Australian tour. Following this Ruins withdrew into the bleak Tasmanian Winter to finish their latest album... titled "Cauldron". Cover art was painted by Rev. Kriss Hades.
Ruins have since returned to Sydney and Melbourne to perform at the 'Festival of the Dead' and 'Switch-fest' respectively; and some special guest appearances in Hobart and Melbourne through the first few months of 2008 saw Ruins were prepared for battle touring nationally with Norway's Black Metal Pioneers - IMMORTAL in March. This tour took the band to Perth for the first time, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. A very successful tour on every level, this also served as perfect promotional oppurtunity for the recently released "Cauldron"; now available in Australia thru STOMP, world-wide release is anxiously awaited...