RUINS are a black metal band from Hobart, Tasmania. They blend an ominous dark-death metal dynamic amidst their powerful, menacing and melancholic, yet eerily seductive black metal style; with a venomous, and summoning vocal presence. The writing/recording nucleus of the band consists of guitarist/vocalist Alex Pope, formerly of the post-punk noise-rockers SEA SCOUTS; and drummer Dave Haley, currently also drumming with PSYCROPTIC and BLOOD DUSTER. Both have also recorded and performed with THE AMENTA, and various other groups and projects over the last decade.
RUINS began sometime throughout 2002. Alex and Dave assembled songs which were recorded for demo purposes late in 2003. Blacktalon Media (ASTRIAAL, PORTAL) released this material as the “Atom and Time” mcd in July2004. Following this, RUINS entered the studio and recorded their debut album “Spun Forth as Dark Nets”, with tracking and mixing done by Joe Haley.
Having rounded out the 'live' performing lineup with Joe Haley on additional guitar and Kai Summers on bass, RUINS began with a handful of shows around Australia, playing Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney for the first ‘Festival of the Dead’, and in Canberra for the final ‘Metal for the Brain’.
In December 2006 their run of shows in support of Norwegian Black Metal Legends - SATYRICON took them back to Melbourne, Sydney, and to Adelaide and Brisbane for the first time.
In March 2007 the ‘Overcranked’ festival saw RUINS return and consolidate their strong following in Brisbane, with this festival appearance RUINS were able to play alongside some of the foremost names in not only 'metal', and 'hard-core'; but 'rock', 'punk', 'indie', and 'alternative' music also.
In June 2007 RUINS were honored 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 second album titled "Cauldron" with Joe Haley producing. Cover art was painted by Rev. Kriss Hades of SADISTIK EXEKUTION infamy. "Cauldron" is available in Australia thru STOMP. For Europe "Cauldron" was released by French label Debemur Morti Productions/Mystic Arts; and by Moribund Records for the U.S.
In March 2008 RUINS toured nationally with Norway's Black Metal Pioneers - IMMORTAL. 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 opportunity for "Cauldron". RUINS returned home to Tasmania to launch “Cauldron” with Melbourne noise merchants GREY DATURAS in support.
In May 2008 RUINS ventured to New Zealand playing a show in Wellington, and Auckland, as a part of the annual 'An Audience with the Devil' festival. With a few more shows including a support to U.S. band PIG DESTROYER, 2008 was brought to a close completing the third album "Front the Final Foes”, recorded again with Joe Haley, with more new artwork from Rev. Kriss Hades, available in Australia thru STOMP, Europe DMP, and Moribund for U.S.
June 2009 saw RUINS embark on the "Unleashing the Extreme" national tour alongside PSYCROPTIC and THE AMENTA, playing 12 shows around Australia to promote the new release. Returning home they launched the new album in Tasmania with Sydney grinders BEYOND TERROR BEYOND GRACE in support. In October 2009 RUINS played alongside U.S. band BLACK COBRA as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. The last months of 2009 were spent working on the next RUINS material.
In February 2010 RUINS played support to Olympia, Washington’s WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, and French doom-lords MONARCH.
RUINS are currently completing pre-production on their forthcoming, fourth full-length album.
