Change blows. I hate change when it hits somewhat close to home. Generalities here as no one cares about the details, but let me just say that if change finds you and there’s nothing you can physically do about it, don’t let it eat you up. Embrace it and move on as life is too short. Anyway, the only change to endure here is a new batch of fresh metal and again, we’ve got tons of it; death metal from vastly different ends of the spectrum from Baest, Bonecarver, and Exanimis, then a rather gazey post-metalish outing from Som. All of these are excellent in their own ways and are can’t miss efforts, but that’s definitely just the beginning so keep reading and explore everything else. And, don’t be afraid to branch out of your comfort zone simply due to genre tags. You might miss something crazy good. Enjoy the hunt and we’ll be seeing you throughout the week.
Continue readingbaest
The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 167 (2.6.2021)

Late again. However, still in time for whatever rowdiness you may have up your sleeve for a Saturday. We’ve got new Cannibal Corpse, Cult of Luna and Gravesend. Plus a nasty one from Bonecarver, and choice cuts from Baest, Biesy, and Visigoth. All that and much more is hiding behind that playlist button below. Hit it and go crazy.
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– Josh
CANTO: Soilwork, Amorphis, Baest, and More
Ok, fine. One more roundup for the week. Might as well make it a clean sweep.
- You may recall the release of A Whisp Of The Atlantic, the latest effort from Soilwork, last December. Well, today they revealed that a feature film will be released in conjunction with the EP. That video will premiere on their Youtube channel on February 3rd.
- I missed this, and perhaps you did as well, but Amorphis just released a picture/shape vinyl for “Brother And Sister” and “As Mountains Crumble”. And oops, perhaps it’s already sold out. Anyway, those are from the Queen of Time sessions, of course. Check out the lyric video for “Brother And Sister” here.
- Alcest have officially released an instrumental, acoustic version of “Protection“, a track taken from 2019’s Spiritual Instinct. And I’m not gonna lie to you, it’s a very different take, but one I’m not against, either. Give the music video a watch as well.
- And lastly, the new music video for “Necro Sapiens”, the title-track from the upcoming new album from Baest. That album is set for a March 5th release through Century Media Records. As usual, I’m gonna give you the pre-order link, too.
“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb
CURSED IMAGERY: The Week in Album Art (September 13, 2019)

Fellow album art indulgers, I write this post to you from computer purgatory. I’ve just returned from taking my laptop in for a battery replacement, which apparently requires it be shipped off to a different service facility from which it may or may not actually return. In the absence of my trusty Dell machine, I’m on my new Mac Mini, which I’m still handling with safety gloves until a couple of different external hard drives arrive and I can partition off various files and apps among them. Apparently, you turn 30 and suddenly start giving a damn about not choking your gadgets to death before their time. Who knew?
Anyway, that’s my situation right now. What’s all this have to do with album art? Exactly nothing. (I told you I’m in a bad way with regard to these intro blurbs!) But, the album art part’s coming up now. So, jump in!
Continue readingInitial Descent: September 8 – 14, 2019
Honestly, I’m still reeling over the 1-2 punch of Vitriol and Mizmor from last week. And probably will be for some time to come. But, there’s a whole load of killer releases this week so my, and your, listening habits will be crowded and our wallets will be empty. ‘What is this sorcery?’ you ask…well, keep reading dear readers.
When a doom leaning heavy metal band comes out with a debut so impressive it makes waves everywhere, it’s hard to assume their follow up will live up to that hype but Crypt Sermon‘s more than lives up, it surpasses and crushes. Nightfell perfectly capture the darkness and turmoil of current times on their wickedly bleak third album, yet another crusher. I’ve seen Haunter‘s new outing called ‘current day old Opeth’ and that’s a fair assessment but misses a ton of the whipping black metal and visionary songwriting so please go and assess for yourself. Last up top but certainly not least is new stuff from death metallers Baest and if you thought they might soften a bit – WRONG. There you have it, four you need and way more of that below so hop to it. Continue reading