CURSED IMAGERY: The Week in Album Art (July 19, 2019)

DanLeave a comment
cursed imagery

I’m starting to wonder if this segment might be better with a monthly frequency. Like, there’s usually a decent selection of solid pieces of album artwork from week to week, and this week is no exception. But, the truly ridiculous pieces — the ones this segment was, ostensibly, created to highlight — seem to be fewer and farther between all the time. Although, to be fair, I never expected my post frequency to be as consistent as it has been, so maybe I just need to start being a bad blogger again? I don’t know. These are the things you think about when you write about bad album art, kids. Don’t jump into this field lightly. Anyway, here are this week’s highlights:

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Album Review: Arctic Sleep – “Kindred Spirits”

ChrisLeave a comment

arctic sleep - kindred spirits

I’ve heard it spread around these here metal parts that post-metal is over.  That the time of slow, mood-driven and spacious metal that mixes emotive, crooned vocals and oodles of atmosphere is for the birds.  To argue the contrary may I present Kindred Spirits, the latest album from Arctic Sleep as evidence that – rather than post-metal being a dead genre – it is in fact insincere and pigeonholed music of any kind that is (and should be) on its way out to the door, the better to make way for the kind of forward thinking and expansive music this band have been traversing since their debut over a decade ago. Continue reading →

Album Review: Falls of Rauros – “Patterns in Mythology”

Charles RandallLeave a comment

Falls of Rauros - Patterns in Mythology

Falls of Rauros is a band that’s always been on the periphery of my awareness. I’d check out an album now and again, kind of dig it, but move on quickly. When I saw that their new album, Patterns in Mythology, was announced by Gilead Media, alongside the new False and Yellow Eyes (absolutely top of their game black metal offerings), I perked up. I try not to assume quality based on label, in general, but Gilead Media has a hell of a track record. So I wasn’t surprised (or maybe I was), when Patterns in Mythology blew me away.

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Profile: The Grand Abominators Botis

ninecirclesadminLeave a comment

Botis

PA based Botis will be independently releasing their debut full length, Grand Abominations, on July 26 and it’s a beast of an album full of thrashy attitude, frenetic black metal, and some truly wicked guitar work. Definitely one you’ll want to get your hands, and ears, on. As you’ll read below, the membership here shares with progressive power metallers Lör which makes it all the more interesting to hear this vicious twist. Just ahead of this barnburner hitting the general public, we had the opportunity to ask them our set of Profile questions so head below to see how it all went down. Be sure and grab a copy while you’re at it, links are contained within. Continue reading →

Premiere: Clouds Collide – “Parallel Ruminations”

ChrisLeave a comment

clouds collide - they don't sleep anymore

Over the course of two full-lengths, a spilt and ambient EP, Clouds Collide has made a habit of using the intensely personal to connect on a universal scale.  It’s been four years since 2015’s stunning All Things Shining and in that time Chris Pandolfo has been steadily building toward another leap in the way his band communicates through the language of music.  In anticipation of the release of They Don’t Sleep Anymore on July 26th, Nine Circles is proud to premiere the penultimate track of the album, the massive “Parallel Ruminations.” Continue reading →