druid lord

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 224 (3.26.2022)

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playlist - mixtape

Holy shit…we’re already a quarter of the way through the year? Are you kidding me!?!? It’s funny how time plays tricks on you: it feels like the year just kicked off, but as the same time it feels like it’s been an eternity since the world was normal (if it ever was). Last night for the first time in over two and half years I went to a show and it…was…okay? I don’t think I’ll ever be completely comfortable being packed like cattle in a too-hot room with hundred of other sweaty bacteria-laden bodies, but man was it great to catch that vibe of live performance again. So you’ll forgive me if I open the 224th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist with some tunes that speak to the heart of my comeback concert.

Don’t worry, though: I think the rest of the 9C gang has the metal covered for you. Josh is first out of the gate this week with the newest from Jungle Rot, and some killer music from Enslaved, Stabbing, Thou, and a slick mashup I won’t spoil. Anton brings the new brutal with a terrifying video from Cult Burial, Katharos XIII, and the latest from Ufomammut. Vincent sticks to more sedate waters with more Orville Peck and Midwife, but throws in som vintage Depeche Mode and than some nasty death with Hath. I don’t like playing favorites (except when it’s Buke) but Angela has fast been proving to be a veritable fountain of great recommendations, and this week she brings it with NOÊTA, Chalk Hands, and a killer new track from the mighty hardcore legends Terror. And if that wasn’t enough Buke comes in to clean up with Anthrax, Kvaen, Druid Lord, Mystifier, and some Joe Walsh of all people before finally tucking us in with some Dio.

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

Initial Descent: January 14 – 20, 2018

JoshLeave a comment

Labyrinth Entrance
Labyrinth Entrance

If you’ve been missing the weeks of double digit releases to dig into, the metal gods have shined upon you. Too bad release date didn’t come earlier in the week when those of us on the east coast were getting hammered with snow and needed a mountain of music to use as a warm blanket. But, it’s here now and leading us off is Poland’s Labyrinth Entrance with their black metal, by way of doom and heavy metal, debut Monumental Bitterness, Druid Lord offer up their horrifically eerie death / doom mixture on Grotesque Offerings, Mammüth scratch that Mastodon / COC / sludgy, stoner metal vibe on their second full length Outlander and Texas based Witchcryer gloriously throwback to the days of classic doom and heavy rock on Cry Witch. And with that, it’s been a strong start to this week’s offerings but like I said before, new albums are bountiful so hang in there. We’ve much to explore.

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Album Review: Druid Lord – “Grotesque Offerings”

Chris2 Comments

Druid Lord - Grotesque Offerings

Dear death/doom,

I get it.  You’re supposed to have fast and slow moments.  It’s right there in the name.  So please understand I have nothing personal against the touchpoints that signify you as a sub genre of that great and glorious noise we call metal.  It’s just that…well, I need both those facets to be interesting within the context of the song.  And in the case of  Grotesque Offerings, the long awaited full length followup by Druid Lord, while I really dig the “death” (aka the fast and angry bits), the “doom” (aka the tedious boring bits) leave more than a little to be desired.   Continue reading →