darkest hour – Nine Circles

Donuts & CANTO: Alcest, Darkest Hour, Hand of Kalliach, and More

February 24, 2024February 24, 2024CoreyLeave a comment

Yeah, we’re on the Saturday morning inbox cleaning routine this weekend. Thanks alcohol!

Hand of Kalliach dropped Corryvreckan yesterday, an album I’ve been enjoying so far. So on that note, we’ll lead in with the “Cirein-Cròin” lyric video released to mark the occasion. That album is available through Prosthetic Records.
Wormwitch and Sadistic Ritual are releasing a split EP on March 22 through Boris Records. The blackened and progressive thrash outfits are each contributing three tracks, and “Spells Of Tartarus” and “The Recusant” can be heard now.
Darkest Hour released Perpetual | Terminal yesterday, which I have been told is quite good… I just haven’t listened myself yet. Anyway, they celebrated that with the video for “One With the Void”. That album is out through MNRK Heavy.
Spoken are releasing a new album on March 15 through XOVR Records titled Reflection. Get a sample of what’s coming with “Sleeper”, the third single taken from that upcoming collection, which features Demon Hunter’s Ryan Clark.
It would be foolish to not end this week’s news roundup with Alcest. A new album, Les Chants De L’Aurore, is scheduled for release on June 21 through Nuclear Blast. Check out the first offering from that, “L’Envol”, below.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

Initial Descent: February 18 – 24, 2024

February 19, 2024February 17, 2024JoshLeave a comment

Still spinning that Ihsahn from last week, man that dude knows how to make some killer music. However, we’ve got a killer week here of new releases kicking off with one of my faves, DARKEST HOUR! Been waiting patiently and holy crap has it ever been worth the wait…then we’ve got another player we haven’t heard from in forever: Toadliquor! Honestly I’d forgotten how much I miss their brand of lethargic sludge. Next up is some kick ass heavy metal from Toxikull and equally kick ass death metal from Morta Skuld so you know what to do from here. Buuuut, in case you forgot, scroll below to check out the rest of the list then go get some from these bands via whatever platform you can. See you here throughout the week.

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The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 310 (11.18.2023)

November 18, 2023November 18, 2023ChrisLeave a comment

It seemed like a no-brainer: Judas Priest just released the second singe from their forthcoming album Invincible Shield. What better way to kick off the 310th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist? But then out of nowhere…holy SHIT that new Ihsahn track! Dude has got some unfinished Emperor business buried in those riffs, so you get two killer cuts to end your week the right way.

The playlist is a little light this week as folks wend their way through Decibel’s annual “leak” of their Best of 2023 list, but we’ve got new tracks from a re-ignited Sadus, noise merchants Ex Everything, and cuts from the likes of Distances, Eternal Storm, Gridlink, the return of Darkest Hour, and more. You want some Mephitic Grave? We got it! Scuzzy death from Enforced? You’re covered! You say you want TWO tracks from Panopticon? Uh, I usually don’t allow it but we’re light this week so…okay! I never heard of Vansind before Angela’s review this week, but here’s some swordplay and metal for you! All that and I’m throwing in some Zulu because seriously…A New Tomorrow is one of the best heavy albums to come out this year.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

—

– Chris

CANTO: Darkest Hour, Lord Dying, Helfró, and More

November 14, 2023November 14, 2023CoreyLeave a comment

Let’s see how fast I can get this published tonight because hot damn there is a lot to do.

The first of two MNRK Heavy items today. Lord Dying unveiled a video for “The Endless Road Home”, which is the closing track of their upcoming new album. Clandestine Transcendence is out on January 19 on all formats.
Out of Lupus Lounge, Aureole have set February 9 as the release date for Alunarian Bellmaster. A visualizer for “Alunarian Ghosts of Bellmaster”, the latest single from the ambient black metal project, can be seen here.
Whitechapel announced details surrounding a new live album. Live In The Valley will be out on January 26 through Metal Blade, a collection that features their 2022 Christmas Benefit Show. Watch and listen to “Lost Boy” here.
Gotta work in some Icelandic black metal with the opportunity presents itself. Helfró shared the third single taken from Tálgröf, titled “Traðkandi Blómin í eigin Hjartagarði”. That album is out on December 1 through Season of Mist.
Darkest Hour are back with their tenth album on February 23, titled Perpetual | Terminal. That’s the second item featured today that will be available through MNRK Heavy A video for the title-track is below, and they’ve also got dates with Exodus and Fit For An Autopsy through the rest of the year.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: The Black Dahlia Murder, Lorna Shore, Woods of Desolation, and More

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022CoreyLeave a comment

Routine chaos is basically my perpetual state of existence at this point.

The Black Dahlia Murder are forging ahead, following the passing of Trevor Strnad. On October 28th they’ll be performing at Saint Andrew’s Hall as a celebration of the life and legacy of the beloved vocalist, with Brian Eschbach behind the microphone. Joining them will be Plague Years and Darkest Hour, making for what will be a truly memorable event.
Atmospheric black metal project Woods of Desolation revealed that a new full-length, The Falling Tide, is set for a December 9th release through Season of Mist, their debut with the label. Give the title-track for that effort a listen here.
And then a couple Century Media happenings to round things out. Technical thrash group Vektor have signed on to a worldwide deal with the label, where they’ll release their fourth studio album at some point next year. We’ll stay tuned as that all unfolds.
And then a month out of the release date for Pain Remains, Lorna Shore revealed a video for “Pain Remains I: Dancing Like Flames”, and that’s how we’re going to end the day. As a reminder, that album will be available through Century Media.