The 423rd edition of the Nine Circles Playlist is still recovering from an absolute shitshow of a week, made more emotional by dint of having to return my son to the hall of higher learning in a few hours. Thank the powers of Chaos we have new Converge and Immolation singles to overcome the odds. There’s new Hellripper, too. I’m cautiously optimistic on that one – loved the earlier albums but after a few listens Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags left me a bit cold. Oh, and after a killer 30-minute debut on Sub Pop just a few months ago, sunn O))) have returned with their first full-length in how many years?!

ALSO HOLY CRAP RAVEN COVERING METALLICA?! WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?

With that out of the way, we got another storm coming in so if those bands don’t do it for you the rest of the 9C staff loom large this week. You got cuts from Cryptic Shift, HEALTH, Endless Dive, Temple of Void and a lot more. 2026 is already shaping up to be another great one for music – I’ve got three end of year contenders released already, and the virtual ink hasn’t even dried on all our end of year lists, yet…

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris