black sabbath

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 269 (2.4.2023)

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Thanks Fearless Editor Josh™ for holding down the fort last week! I’m back to traveling again for work which means not only was I away in Dallas which was colder than New York last week, but I also picked up the convention crud. But they say nothing cures the crud like a nice whiskey and some metal, so let jump into this the 269th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist, kicking off with some of what kept me entertained while I was away: WuW, which might be in the running for my favorite release of 2023 so far. Their new album L’orchaostre just came out so be sure to jump on that post haste, whodoncha?

From there I’m gonna be generous and let the staff take over. We got some classic prog-infused Enslaved, new music from Fredlös and Lamp of Murmuur, a fossil from Grouper, some classics from Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne to honor the man upon the news of his retirement from touring, and then just a ton of metal, including Boris, Yob, Burial Hordes, Atonia, Maggot Crown, Siege of Power, Terrestrial Hospice, Black Math Horsemen, Thrice + Holy Fawn and a ton more.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week…

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 230 (5.7.2022)

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playlist - mixtape

Hello you filthy bastards. I’m listening to metal again. Mainly metal that gatekeepers and other nitwits like to complain about, like the new Ibaraki project from Matt Heafy. So here’s a hearty middle finger to them, and to naysayers that have written off Cradle of Filth who (though sadly losing guitarist Richard Shaw) are 3-for-3 with killer records since signing to Nuclear Blast. And to the folks who continue to bitch about the second phase of Opeth: they’re going to HATE Mikeal Akerfeldt‘s soundtrack to the Swedish crime series Clark. I love it, so let’s kick off the 30th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist with some.

Elsewhere in the 9C realm Anton kicks us off with a triptych of lengthy killer tracks, including In Twilight’s Embrace, the newest tracks from Bedsore off their split with Mortal Incarnation, and Haunter. Josh has been raving about Scars of the Flesh, so we have some for you in here along with a bevy of new music including Vølus, This Is Oblivion, Candy, and Morbid Cross. Vincent provides a brief respite with his beloved Mountain Goats, but quickly pulls you back under the waves with some righteous Wolfbrigade, Au-Dessus, and the first single from the upcoming Wake album. Ian reaches into the past with tracks by In Flames, Dawes, and The Bouncing Souls while Angela somehow channels my inner spirit (must have been in the cards) with some Black Sabbath, followed up by Electric Wizard, some BongBongBeerWizards, and Citizen which, as far as I can tell, is bereft of wizards, electric or otherwise. Finally Buke wraps us up nicely with a host of classic metal cuts, including King Diamond, Whiplash, Forbidden, Sodom, and Sabbat.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 215 (1.22.2022)

ChrisLeave a comment
playlist - mixtape

I’m back, baby…took a week off to get out of the cold and storms and hit the Florida Keys, where despite being mandated to listen to things like Bertie Higgins and other assorted yacht rock, I still pounded some righteous metal. Holy CRAP the new Falls of Rauros, y’all…can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

And you can hear the first single “Clarity” now on the 215th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist, as well as the latest from Napalm Death who have an EP coming soon. I can’t believe it’s January and I already have two EOY contenders. Elsewhere in the 9C universe Josh brings the super heavy with new music from Undeath and Deserted Fear as well as site favorites Amorphis and Ghost. Vincent mixes things up with Piet Onthel, some vintage Bloc Party and the newest from Alto Arc. Have I mentioned Buke has some weird wiring that allows him to know what I’m listening to any given moment and reflect that in his playlist picks. How else to explain his inclusion of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Tom Waits? have no fear: he also throws in some classic Dio and Black Sabbath to ensure heaviness reigns. Anton once again packs for bear, giving us Slugdge covering Napalm Death and a new collaboration between Lustmord and Godflesh.

Finally Angela gets us back on extreme metal ground with cuts from Druid Lord, Sowulo, and Zeal & Ardor which feels like a great close to this week. I need a coffee refill, so we’ll leave you with the playlist. Be seeing you…

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 205 (11.13.2021)

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playlist - mixtape

We’re kicking through November, and I’m here with my usual: a steaming cup of coffee in a cup big enough to swim in, and a playlist of all the metal I’ve listened to in 2021 to start sorting out end of year stuff.

It’s a loooong list.

So to make it easier OF COURSE I’m going to kick it off with some Darkthrone. But the rest of the crew is definitely going to bring you to some uncharted corners for Volume 205 of the Nine Circles Playlist. I don’t know who Thangorodrim are, but they’re bringing the dark vibes on their debut. Jon just has a birthday, so he’s letting loose with some faves like Dethklok and Strapping Young Lad. Josh is over the moon over the news that Death Breath are coming back, and The Halo Effect, aka In Flames 2.0 seem to be moving in a good direction with their debut single. Vincent crosses the border into pop with some good good CHVRCHES but quickly hops back over with the long awaited new song from Nechochwen. And Ian closes us out this week with some Spiritbox, Owen, and Coheed and Cambria. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg in this week’s list, so settle in and give your ears a workout.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 204 (11.6.2021)

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playlist - mixtape

The cold weather’s finally kicked in. I’ve got a steaming cup of coffee so big I need two hands to bring its caffeinated goodness to my lips, and I’ve spent the past hour fiddling with parametric EQs to kick my headphones into high gear while listening to newest single by one of my favorite guitarists on this great glob of a world, Wata from Boris. Wherever you are I hope you’re finding some kind of aural and chemical comfort (feel free to pick your own poison; I’ll stick with coffee) right now.

Of course that’s not the only thing we’re blasting in Volume 204 of the Nine Circles Playlist. After thinking they were done Porcupine Tree is back in the saddle and released a new single which feels like Steven Wilson bringing his pop sensibility into the band and the band fighting back, and I love it. Josh brings the filthy death metal with Under the Church and Concrete Winds, while Vincent splits his time between the grace of Alcest and the brutality of Atræ Bilis. Anton revels in the swirling symphonic chaos of Dessiderium, and Buke? Buke is living in the glory his (and my) youth with classics from Twisted Sister, Down, and even some Spinal Tap. Finally, Angela brings it all home with the latest from 9C favorite Emma Ruth Rundle and some new stuff from Monolord. In other words it’s a stacked house, so settle in and enjoy the tunes.

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– Chris