ashen

December is largely a reflective time for me. And one of the things Iw as reflecting on this was how massive an influence the great Angelo Badalamenti was for popular music. His scores, particularly his collaborations with David Lynch was a huge impact on a ton of heavy music, whether you (or the bands themselves) realize it or not. So we’re kicking this edition of the Nine Circles Playlist with one of his most memorable themes. Is it also a meme? Sure, but if anything those memes show just how adept Badalamenti was at evoking an entire mood with just a few notes.

Elsewhere we have the latest video from Megadeth, and Rocky and the Sweden covering…Cheech and Chong? The rest of the staff kicks in the usual great tracks, including new music from Sanguisugabogg and Insomnium, a monster of a new Enslaved track, a live cut from The Armed as well as fresh music from A Pregnant Light, Tithe and Ashen. We have classic tracks from Baroness and Mogwai. There’s a Christmas track from Majestica, and some moody music courtesy of Bauhaus, Dashboard Confessional, and an epic closer from Jane’s Addiction.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

Well whaddaya know? We made it to 250. This is the 250th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist and since it’s our party we’ll invite who want to, you know?

So you’re gonna hear stuff like the new Venom, Inc. which is killing anything Cronos might be doing (although thanks for releasing the In Nominee Satanas set on CD) and Gaerea who just released a killer new record, as did the noise kings KEN mode. But that’s not all! How about some vicious preview tracks from the likes of Autopsy and Scars of the Flesh? Or maybe you’re feeling like it’s an indie weekend? We got you some older tunes by Pianos Becomes the Teeth and Catherine Wheel to soundtrack your vibe. Lest you turn away there’s still plenty of heavy to be had with music from Ashen, Aenaon, Ultar, and a bevy of classic metal tracks to close things out from the likes of DBC, Sodom, Morbid Angel and Vader.