If you didn’t know anything about Bitter Ruin before, they’re making a statement with the release of their new video. A backdrop to the track ‘Trust’ from their 2007 self-titled album, Ben Richards and Georgina Train blend S&M and classical rock.

The video begins with Richards’ skilful classical guitar finger picking that morphs into a more insistent beat. Train wraps a rope around her hands that are painted with blood red fingernails. She appears to be taunted by his music. Before the singing begins we can feel the tension signified by a tightened rope.

The story unfolds as Train begins to tell her story. She sings seductively as her finger slides down her throat. Glaring at the camera, her voice becomes huskier as her anger grows. The camera pans between her tortured face and Richards’ placid one.

While Train sings more about herself during her verse Richards taunts her in his. He seems a lot more flippant with his remarks. She reacts to his words by smiling in amusement which incites his anger. He wraps a rope around his hands as if wrapping it around her neck.

The chorus brings the protagonists together in a frenzied emotion filled crescendo. The anger and sexual tension between them is palpable as Richards chokes Train one minute and she hits him the next. The song is full of passion that portrays a love/hate relationship.

The final chorus yanks the audience out of a cringe worthy theatrical stand off and they’re catapulted into multiple scenes where hitting, choking and bondage ensue. The singers are both imploring the other to see their side of the story which makes them angrier and more frustrated. The end culminates with the removal of their shackles as they fall into each other’s arms and things finally calm down as they stare into each others eyes.

The video theatrically portrays an abusive argument between a couple that addresses the violent extremes both parties consider in anger. It encompasses fully the dark recesses of the singers’ minds.

I have to admit I did enjoy the over-the-top dramatics of the fight. I could practically taste the passion and hoped the end would see them in love again. The only part I didn’t like was the back and forth stand off between the singers just before the final chorus. It screamed musical theatre and seemed out of place.

That notwithstanding I liked the dark imagery, striking colour’s, over the top dramatics and the genius camera movement. This video is one to watch and ‘Bitter Ruin’ are definitely a band to listen out for in 2012.