doom – Nine Circles

Album Review: Wailin Storms — “The Silver Snake Unfolds”

July 21, 2022July 20, 2022Angela Block2 Comments

A week prior to kicking off a US tour, gothic noise rockers Wailin Storms are coming in hot with their fourth full-length release, The Silver Snake Unfolds. This album is an incredible addition to the band’s blooming discography. Each song is diverse and brings something a little different to the table. Some tracks are moody, dark, and angsty while others are lively, danceable, and, yes, angsty. I mean… we are talking about a band with a heavy doom influence, so angst is to be expected. Wailin Storms has a unique signature blend of southern gothic/psychedelic/doom/post-grunge/punk/rock and it shines very brightly in this release.

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The Nine Circles Audio Thing: Cavernlight was May 2022’s Album of the Month!

June 22, 2022June 20, 2022ChrisLeave a comment

Angela puts in her first pick for Album of the Month, and joins Ian, Vincent, and Hera while Buke captains the episode. This time the group dissects the roiling turmoil that is As I Cast Ruin Upon the Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw, the second full length from Cavernlight. After that it’s the usual discourse around what else everyone has been listening to since last getting (virtually) together to chat.

Dig in and enjoy this, the 140th episode of The Nine Circles Audio Thing.

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Nine Circles ov…Stoner and Psych Metal in 2022

June 14, 2022June 14, 2022Chris1 Comment

Recently I created a new playlist featuring what has fast become my go-to genre when I need to bear down and get some serious groove on: the luscious low-end of stoner rock and metal (Spotify users are welcome to it here; Apple Music users can find it here). Throw some psych elements in and I’m an even happier camper. We don’t feature nearly enough of it her at Nine Circles; all too often the staff are mired in extreme noise and suffocatingly depressive odes to inner turmoil – and that’s perfectly fine…if that’s your thing. Lately it’s not mine; I’d rather get a nasty fuzzed to the heavens riff in my brain accompanied by sweet-ass vocal melodies and anthemic choruses I can shout along to as I air-guitar until my arthritic wrists cry out for reprieve.

So for this edition of Nine Circles ov… let’s highlight some of the boogie down rifftastic stoner and psychedelic rock and metal that’s all the rage in my frontal lobe, shall we?

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Receiving the Evcharist: Primitive Man and Come Heavy or Not at All

May 13, 2022May 13, 2022IanLeave a comment

Rarely do we actually find a drink that perfectly pairs with the tunes at hand, but this time I think we’ve managed the perfect pairing, if you can survive to the end of it. Receiving the Evcharist is our weekly feature where we pair choice albums with our favorite libations. Drink from the cup of heresy. This week’s offering: Primitive Man’s Insurmountable and Hubbard’s Cave’s Come Heavy or Not at All.

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Album Review: Cavernlight — “As I Cast Ruin Upon The Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw”

May 10, 2022May 9, 2022Angela BlockLeave a comment

Wisconsin natives and sludge/doom metal lords Cavernlight have returned after five long years with a stellar sophomore release—As I Cast Ruin Upon The Lens That Reveals My Every Flaw. If you are already familiar with this band, you know that they do not skimp on album titles. As this release’s poetic title suggests, the album is full of angsty darkness that is sure to appeal to neurodivergent metal fans such as myself. While the tunes are crushingly heavy, there is a catharsis to it resulting in a beautifully expressive album which will resonate with many listeners. As I Cast Ruin… brings everything Cavernlight offered in their debut while expanding on soundscapes and programming created movements. There are no dull moments and many unique compositions to make this album one-of-a-kind and an excellent continuation of the band’s journey.

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