A Night of Ruin. Bradford UK , 30/01/26. Live review.

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Iron Bore bookings have once again perfectly curated the Ruination Festival at the excellent Underground venue in Bradford. 

The extra special treat for the Friday night is named “A Night of Ruin” and I have managed to arrive on time, ready to catch all the bands. 



The first of which is local five-piece “Kamien”. Their 90s style tunes have riffs and a chilled vibe. They open this Friday collection with calm, smooth stage presence. Their female vocalist has a grunge-type delivery to her style, pairing perfectly with this music. Although they are the first act, the crowd is decent and enjoying this alt rock experience. The power of the guitar solos assists in the experience for this mainly metal crowd. 


Next on stage is Hollow Earth. Immediately, I lament not knowing this band’s music already. This is right up my street. Prog Doom metal riffs fill the Yorkshire air, and they slide into their set expertly. Clean vocals sit on top of the proggy vibe, with each band member knowing their job and place. Thick bass sits inside the guitar sound while the vocals occasionally turn to growls and screams. Their complicated sound manages to delight more than just myself. This is a brilliant set that feels far too short. After three songs, I am left wanting more. But alas, the length of a Hollow Earth track prevents more.






The Danzig-tinged sound of “Gods of Hellfire” brings some anger and  aggression to the evening. Their slippery evil tunes cause many horns to be raised, with the crowd not needing much encouragement to join in with the growls of “ Fuck you”. The PA speakers shake with the same antagonism vocalist Alec Calderbank creates on stage. Their greasy doom metal is very appealing. I have witnessed this Northern band slay a few times now. Once more, they entertain an audience and scare some of them. 




The sombre songs of “ Garden of Remembrance” take to the stage next, and their atmosphere is quite different. Still metal but slower and more mournful . Ex Valafar vocalist Wayne Jackson has the rock star charisma to get the crowd clapping along to the melancholic tunes like they were singing along to “Run to the Hills”. Not an easy task, to be honest. 





We now arrive at our Friday headline. A band who at short notice came to fill in for 1968, who had to cancel. 



Battalions are the perfect band to headline any festival stage, in my opinion, including some of the largest on the scene. I love this band. 

Friends of the Miserable Metal Mind Podcast tear into their set with the usual correct amount of fire and vocal anger. Riffs cause bodies to shake and dance. While the enigmatic bass player Matthew Dennett pummels his strings while never staying still. The aggressive, extreme, gnarly vocals ride along top of the smooth, groovy music in a combination not often replicated. I have seen this band many times, and I hope to see them many more. A new tune is pulled out for us, ensuring more music is to come. 

The band takes a bow, plectrums are handed out, and a happy crowd leaves the venue into the night. Tomorrow is another day, but can it live up to this fantastic start? 


Words and photos Thrashtash Bolton. 

The Miserable Metal Mind Podcast.


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