For Ruin is an Irish Black / Death metal band whose formation dates back to about 2003. During 2003-2006 the band released 3 demos showcasing a musical style that was a mixture of melodic black/death metal with strong harmonies, melodies and dynamics throughout. During this period the band consisted solely of founder John Murphy, with some of the demo material being written as early as ’97 or ’98. The success of the Split, Shade and Obsidian demos led to initial lineup of the band forming at the end of 2005 with the band playing with Decapitated and many others at the time.

In November 2006 Murphy was joined by drummer Barry English, guitarist Drew Myers and bassist Barry O’Sullivan forming the second lineup of the band. The band filmed their performance at Winterfest 2006 in their home town of Cork on December 23rd '06. The result is the "Live at Winterfest" DVD, which was given a limited release in January 2007. Terrorizer listed For Ruin in their Top Ten unsigned bands for 2006

Signing a deal with Sentinel Records in January ’07, the band finished their debut recording for Sentinel in May '07 titled "December" (GOK 011) which was released on September 15th 2007 and supported by a headlining Irish tour during October of that year. During August ‘07 the band played a warm-up show with Napalm Death before their tour in support of the album. Playing with Massacre and Extreme Noise Terror around this time, new bass player Peter Lawlor joined the band just before the band played main support to Primordial in December ‘07 & Jan ‘08. In Feb '08 the band welcomed back original drummer Steve O'Connell and having spent a few months rehearsing, the band played at the Camden Underworld in London in May ‘08 with Skyforger before returning to Ireland to finish writing and rehearsing material for the band’s second album. In December ’08 the band played a hometown show supporting Amon Amarth.

In January 2009 the band recorded their second album "Last Light" in Cork, Ireland with Alwyn Walker of Komodo Studios as the on-location co-producer. While the album was being mixed, the band played with Paradise Lost and Rotting Christ in Belfast during April 2009 and soon afterwards decided to release Last Light themselves rather than going through a label. The album’s striking artwork and layout was designed by Paul McCarroll (Primordial). The album’s release will be preceded by the release of the band’s first digital-only release, and EP titled “Enlightened” during September ’09 which also features McCarroll’s artwork.

For Ruin has shared stages with such bands as Paradise Lost, Rotting Christ, Amon Amarth, Napalm Death, Destruction, Decapitated, Massacre, Skyforger, Primordial, Madder Mortem, Leaves Eyes and many others over the years. The band recently signed with a Touring/Booking Agent in Spain (Lugga Music) and plans to play Scandinavian, UK & European shows in late 2009 and 2010 to support Last Light before turning their attentions to writing and recording the third album.

Melodic black / death metal - in the vein of Unanimated, Dissection, Rotting Christ, Katatonia, Hypocrisy, Death

Melodic black / death metal - in the vein of Unanimated, Dissection, Rotting Christ, Katatonia, Hypocrisy, Death