Chorus of Ruin were a death/doom metal band from Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, formed in 1991. Originally formed under the name Sorrow in 1990, the group adopted the name Chorus of Ruin in 1991 and became part of the British underground metal scene of the period, along with other bands like Anathema, My Dying Bride (also from Bradford), Paradise Lost or Decomposed.
Chorus of Ruin’s debut recording was the Les Miserables demo in 1991. In 1992, they released the Swan Dive demo. In 1993, the band released their classic Ocean of Sins 7-inch single through Avantgarde Music. It featured the tracks “Ocean of Sins” and “Dreaming of Indigo (A Blood Red Vision).” The release featured Clive Hughes and Paul Webb on guitars, Ian Buxton on bass, Craig Phillips on vocals, and Barry St. John on drums.
In 1993, Chorus of Ruin released the obscure Godlike / Last Dance split EP with Sororicide. The following year, they released the Tragedies demo. By this stage, the lineup included Craig Phillips on vocals, Ian Buxton on bass, Dale Robinson on bass, and Jamie Hetherington on guitar. Phillips, who had first appeared with the band in 1994, would later return for the group’s 2009 reunion.
Although Chorus of Ruin’s original run was relatively brief, their recordings have subsequently gained renewed attention. In February 2026, Terror from Hell Records issued 1991–1994, a compilation collecting material from the band’s early demos, Ocean of Sins, the Godlike / Last Dance split, and Tragedies, along with recordings from a 2009 reunion performance. The collection was released as a double CD. It documents the band’s development across its early years as well as its later return to the stage.
The band’s 2009 reunion represented a final chapter in its history. Ian Buxton remained involved during this period, while Craig Phillips returned to vocal duties.
