doom metal

Album Review: Hamferð – “Men Guðs hond er sterk”

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At some point in time, many of us have been fascinated by the sea and the tales it holds underneath its waves. Even from a safe vantage point, it can be perceived as giving yet cruel – when it gives, it can also take. You may be able to make a living at sea, but it can suddenly take your life with as much pomp and circumstance as it desires, leaving behind only those who will continue to remember you. Inspired by the 1915 Sandvik whaling disaster, where 14 men died driving whales ashore, Hamferð’s newest album, Men Guðs hond er sterk, deals with the ghosts that linger after a tragedy occurs.

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Receiving the Evcharist: Isenordal and Calumet Farm

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Receiving the Evcharist 2018


I’m back again! I was thrilled to see this post available for the taking this week because I’m actually heading to the beer mecca that is Burlington, Vermont for the weekend (actually, by the time this posts I’ll probably be multiple Heady Toppers deep already). So in honor of this weekend getaway, let’s talk about… something other than beer! Long story short, I’m mixing it up a bit because I was recently recommended a couple of bourbons at a modest price point, and as a result I felt an immediate need to restock my supply. So yeah! As it goes with these things, when trying new booze, why not talk about it? After scrolling through the promo options this week I landed on Requiem for Eir​ê​nê, the latest from Isenordal. I don’t exactly know how to categorize their take on doom metal, but it felt a good match for the 8 Year Old Bourbon from Calumet Farm all the same.

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Ritual and Connection in Ponte Del Diavolo’s “Fire Blades From The Tomb”

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When I first experienced Ponte Del Diavolo’s debut, Fire Blades From The Tomb (Fire Blades…), I was struck by the thought of metal music being seen as a vehicle of devil worship. Although this is seen as a tired yet inescapable cliché, some bands do dabble in this concept as a thematic point in their music. However, some actually commit to acting as a conduit to the dark arts, even as far down to how they present to others. The more I listened, the more I became intrigued in exploring Ponte Del Diavolo’s aesthetic and presentation, and how their music aims to be seen as part of their overall unorthodox appeal.

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Receiving the Evcharist: SLOWER and Illuminated Brew Works’ Slushy Thing #7

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Receiving the Evcharist 2018

It has been a typical midwestern winter here in Chicago with cold days in the negative degrees, blizzards, ice, and suddenly some dense fog, rain, and a heatwave of double digit temperatures.  This is about that time of year that I am very much over winter and ready for the gloom to pass along with my seasonal depression. For now, I will dream of sunshine while sipping on a bright and fruity seltzer and listening to some metal, so let us drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offerings:  SLOWER‘s Slower and Illuminated Brew Works’ Slushy Thing #7 (The Watergate Salad Affair).

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Best of 2023: Angela’s List

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Best of 2023

2023 was a whirlwind.  It started with an amazing trip to California where we visited Vincent and also had the immense pleasure of meeting some other 9C family members—Colin and Hera.  We then returned home to a flooded basement and a dog in need of surgery due to an aggressive cancerous tumor in her jaw.  The middle of the year was spent attending to the chaos while I also started a new job.  The highs and lows have been extreme but thankfully we were able to end the year on a high note and carry those good vibes into the new year.  Our beloved dog is still going strong with part of her jaw missing but doing well and feisty as ever.  In November I got to say “yes” to my person as he got down on one knee in the woods and proposed.  We are carrying these delightful feelings of love and joy into 2024 and hopefully embarking on a way less dramatic year.

On a less personal note, the music that 2023 delivered is outstanding.  I enjoyed many metal and non-metal releases that carried me through to the end of December.  Instead of doing multiple lists, I am jam packing this one with my favorites.  What I love about the end of year season is the variety of lists we put out there and how diverse our tastes are with some overlapping favorites.  Those who are familiar with my reviews and/or The Nine Circles Audio Thing know that my musical interests tend to favor the doomy, female-fronted, dreamy, shoegaze-y, dark, spooky, sad and slow variety.  That being said, these lists consist of my personal favorites and albums that spoke to me.  Each year I struggle with the placement of my albums as some of my favorites tend to teeter on the line of metal.  I decided not to agonize over that this year and just go with my heart.  We’ll call this my list of metal and metalish (metal enough?) albums. 

Let’s crack into it!

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