belore

Album Review: Belore — Eastern Tales

ColinLeave a comment

“Epic black metal” — created by Summoning in the mid-90s and perfected by Caladan Brood in 2013 with Echoes of Battle, this merging of dungeon synth and the more atmospheric side of black metal is a subgenre that has spawned a lot of imitators but few that reach the heights of the aforementioned acts. Enter Belore, a French duo bringing this style into the modern age with more polished and grandiose production. Eastern Tales doesn’t quite follow in the same footsteps of the pioneers, but those interested in a more symphonic and folk-inspired take on the genre will find this an enjoyable listen.

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The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 328 (3.23.2024)

ChrisLeave a comment
playlist - mixtape

I came into the 328th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist full of new music that evokes the past…what else would you expect from an old like me? But damn if the new tracks from Morgul Blade, Attic, and Hammer King don’t hold aloft the rotted and fetid corpses of yesteryear with a gleeful and heavy delight. There’s been plenty of extreme extremity of course (the soothing stylings of Severoth warm my black metal heart) but I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t trapped in the past.

The rest of the 9C staff bring the metal heat in a myriad of ways, including new cuts from Four Strokes Baron, Selbst, Ufomammut, the return of the mighty Pallbearer, some classics from Amon Amarth and Kvelertak; recent releases from Dödsrit, Hideous Divinity, and Bewitcher, and a trio of more electronic, emo fare to close things. The Twin Tribes video fills me with…feelings.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 327 (3.16.2024)

ChrisLeave a comment
playlist - mixtape

Is this the first we ever kick off The Nine Circles Playlist (the 327th, to be clear) with an ad? Sorry not sorry when the ad in question is for the new album from my beloved Darkthrone. I’ve already pre-ordered my exclusive “Nocturno Culto” edition of It Beckons Us All and cannot wait for April to get here. For me the heaviness continues with the new one from Necrophobic, pummeling death metal from Skeletal Remains and the new (to me) stoner prog metal of Mr. Bison.

Music abounds, is what I’m saying…

The staff follows suit with a bevy of righteous tunes both new and old (and emo of course, thanks Vince!). We’ve got new music from Dvne, Gatecreeper and Witch Vomit; classic Junius and Katatonia, some new (to me) indie shoegaze rock from Now Now; plus a lot more to move you as we get a finger’s length away from the Vernal Equinox from bands like Goat Major, Ulcerate, and much more.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris