Tonight Manchester welcomes one of rock’s most outspoken characters in Tairrie B., despite her reputation for being a firebrand who provokes controversy and debate in many circles, My Ruin’s front-woman clearly still inspires many, male and female, to rage against the societal ills of sexism and homophobia. Bringing with them three capable support acts there is the feeling of anticipation and celebration on this rainy Tuesday night.

Nomad keep it tight, groovy and full of soul. Vocalist Drian snarls through the likes of ‘Burn The Water’ with a confident assurance that is only gained from a steady work rate of playing every dive bar going while drummer Hayley McIntyre anchors the muscular rhythms with a powerful backbeat.

Steadily gaining a loyal following through determination and hard work Nomad is one of the more rich prospects in the fertile UK scene right now.

Quite the contrast to her vicious death growls, Extreme O.D.’s Katie Cairns is all smiles in between songs clearly loving every moment of tonight’s performance. Laying down a set of vicious double kick and neck breaking riffs. It’s a feeling mirrored by the audience who lap up everything Cairns and co have to offer.

Sanctorium’s tight exuberant groove metal recalls the work of Lamb Of God and Chimaria. The undercurrent of savagery recalls many of the early noughties Roadrunner bands but while they remain a tight outfit they offer precious little in the way of surprises.

Tairrie B. and company enter to an enthusiastic response. Sure the venue is only half full but the assembled throng makes more than enough noise to supplement the lack of bodies.

Crashing into ‘Monolith Of Wrath’, My Ruin channel the spit and sawdust vitriol of Black Flag and Black Sabbath with husband Mick Murphy doling out slabs of discordant hostility.

Ms B. is in a jovial mood,  snarling through a triumphant rendition of ‘Digging For Ghosts’.

The feeling of celebration is tangible not least as this is, at least for now, My Ruin’s final jaunt this side of the pond. Girls and guys alike flock towards the stage raising their fists and voices to the paint stripping intense cover of Mudhoney classic ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’ and a raucous ‘God Is A Girl With A Butcher Knife’. A My Ruin gig is a full contact sport where the intensity of the performance is only mirrored by the reaction of their devoted fanbase.

‘Beauty Fiend’ ends a sermon of black clad blasphemy with Tairrie thanking the fans for their support before sweeping off stage. If this is truly My Ruin’s swansong appearance in the UK then they went out with all the guts, desire and raw power that they have always possessed.

My Ruin Set List:

Monolith of Wrath

Long Dark Night

Heretic Dreams

Diggin for Ghosts

Moriendo Renascor

The Devil Walks

Touch Me I’m Sick

(Mudhoney cover)

The Harsh Light of Day

Burn The Witch

Excommunicated

God Is a Girl With a Butcher Knife

Heartsick

Del Riche

Made to Measure

Blasphemous Girl

Beauty Fiend

My Ruin on Facebook

WORDS: ROSS BAKER

PHOTOS: BRIANA NORTON (with permission from My Ruin)