Second Circle

Second Circle – Qrixkuor and Weregoat

Vincent1 Comment

Second Circle

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

“Something old, something new.”  Usually you hear that phrase at weddings, usually followed by “something borrowed and something blue.” Today I am officiating a marriage of two offerings of some of the filthiest death metal I have heard all year, two bands whose sound borrows from no one and whose albums will leave you anything but blue.   Continue reading →

Second Circle: DRÅP and Timeworn

Chris1 Comment

Second Circle

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

Two bands, two sophomore albums.  It kind of feels like I’m about to introduce two gladiators into Thunderdome, but the truth is all I really want to do is expose you to some loud and angry music that will take a shitty day and maybe not make it better, but at least give you something to match the pounding of the pulse in your skull.  Sometimes we don’t want anything more than a voice to match our rage, a blast to pace our anger and a ground up dirty riff to sink our beaten down souls into.  And this edition of Second Circle has you covered with DRÅP and Timeworn, so lets throw down.   Continue reading →

Second Circle: Mountains Crave and Device

Chris1 Comment

Second Circle

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

Here’s the way it usually works.  Our illustrious editor gets in dozens and dozens of promos each week that he puts up on a Google doc for the writers, who converge like a pack of wild dogs,  starving and scrabbling to get a cut of the juiciest meat.  That’s how it usually works, but every so often you just come across something else, whether it’s an obscure band you found in you Bandcamp collection one day because of a label subscription with an AMAZING cover or a surprise drop from a band saying goodbye.  In this edition of Second Circle we’re stepping away from the promo box to alert you, however briefly, to the wonders of Mountains Crave and Device.  So let’s find those comfortable pants you wear when no one’s watching and dig in… Continue reading →

Second Circle: Pink Muscles and Ruin

Chris1 Comment

Second Circle

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

If there’s a common theme to this edition of Second Circle beyond “Here are two albums that fell through the cracks” I’ll leave it you to figure it out.  On the one hand we have Pink Muscles, a noise/punk collective with a serious bent toward out there horror and angular riffing; on the other we have Ruin, a grimy old school death outfit whose names may be hidden but wear their influences on their sleeves.  So get your hip waders and your aluminum foil hats, folks.  Shit’s about to get weird… Continue reading →

Second Circle: The Ruins of Beverast – “Takitum Tootem!” and “Exuvia”

Vincent2 Comments

Second Circle

The Ruins of Beverast have been a ride-or-die band for me since the first time I heard them.  Their career spans fourteen years and (now) five full length albums, during which time they have never been anything but unapologetically their own entity among the metal scene.  Whether it’s the crushing doomed black metal of Rain Upon the Impure, the full-on riff assault of Blood Vaults (which I will go to bat for every single time, nay-sayers be damned), or the re-shaping of classic songs by Dead Can Dance and Depeche Mode on Enchanted by Gravemould, Alexander von Meilenwald has built a legacy on daring experimentation that wins his music either shining praise or confused head shakes.  For my money, the Ruins are a band that I can turn to time and time again, no matter what I am in the mood for, and find something that satisfies me.  I’m extremely pleased then, to be able bring you a double feature of new material from this cult classic: an EP, Takitum Tootem!, and a new full length, Exuvia, that both showcase the entirety of their sound, and feature some of the best material in the band’s illustrious catalog. Continue reading →