emigrate – Nine Circles

Scholar of the First Sin: Hera’s Best of 2021

December 28, 2021December 25, 2021Hera2 Comments

I am the Scholar of the First Sin, and I have insight to give.

Last year, my list was short and to the point, as I spent more time listening to music that gave me respite and comfort than to new releases. This meant that, once I had more time on my hands, I was finally able to go out and see what I had missed. The fact that I can’t include Dark Tranquility’s Moment, an album that deserves more attention, on this list because it came out last year fucking kills me.

Despite the Omicron variant (at this time) destroying all hope for a small sense of normalcy, 2021 was an absolutely fantastic year for music. After many bands either couldn’t tour because of the onset of the pandemic or postponed a lot of their releases, this year provided us with new music, which meant that a lot of vetting had to happen in order for me to make this list. After graduation, I suddenly had more time than I ever had to do with and decided to dive deep into what I had been ignoring for the better part of five months.

Welcome to EOY list season!

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Scholar of the First Sin: Hera’s Best of 2018

December 24, 2018December 23, 2018Hera2 Comments

EOY 2018 Header 9C

Yes, that title is a Dark Souls reference, and it’s a title I would like to have some day.

Anyway, it’s that time of year where we all just want to enjoy the last vestiges of holidays before the new year begins and we all decide to make lists. Whether it is for presents, things to throw out, or just a general shopping list for Christmas, we are bound to make one.

However, here in the hallowed halls of 9C, we are making one better: It’s time for EOY list season!

2018 was an impressive year for music in general. The sheer amount of releases this year was mind-blowing – so much so that I decided to make it into a top 20. That’s right: I expanded my list because 10 ain’t gonna cut it. However, there were a lot of albums left out from this list because they weren’t being as heavily played as they were supposed to be or they came out too late for me to actually put on this list (sorry Within Temptation!). I also decided to cut EPs from this list, as they deserve their own separate thing that won’t be explored until I have some more time. Let’s get started… Continue reading →

Quickies: AWFUL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE (King 810, Insane Clown Posse, etc.)

August 7, 2014CoreyLeave a comment

Another late Quickies. Meh. At least Corey’s back Sunday. Which really means Corey’s back Wednesday because of jet lag and all that nonsense. Suffice it to say, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I can see it. Anyway, here’s what we missed in the world of metal today:

Oh look, it’s another example of King 810 not actually being all that metal, but yes actually being questionable people! In today’s bit, someone in the band maybe made up parts of his biographical details! Good lord this band sucks hard.
And thanks to another Constitutional amendment-length Facebook post from Wintersun‘s Jari Mäenpää, my sympathy for the guy has officially evaporated. (Pro-tip: read the full-length Lair of the Bastard post that’s linked to from the MetalSucks article. It’s kind of amazing.)
I hate devoting any extra attention to anything Insane Clown Posse-related, but goddammit. Know how people like to rag on Juggalos? Shit like this is why.
Rammstein guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe released a teaser video for the second album from his side project, Emigrate. Which is all well and good, but dammit, where’s the new Rammstein material we’ve been waiting five years for?
And finally, hot off the heels of their debut record release earlier this week, Wovenwar have released a video for their single, “All Rise.” Check it out here:

Because the album hasn’t hit Spotify yet, this is actually the first I’m hearing from Wovenwar. And it’s actually not bad, for what it is. Hope these guys keep doing what they’re doing now that they’re free of Tim Lambesis’s nonsense. Anyway, that’ll wrap us up for today. Check back tomorrow for more!

-Dan

Live. Love. Plow. Horns Up.