godspeed you black emperor

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 374 (02.08.2025)

ChrisLeave a comment
playlist - mixtape

Happy February, all. Everyone here at Nine Circles is sick, bogged down with work, or shutting themselves off from the madness of the world…some of us might even be doing all three of those things. Thank god I can at least revel in a new Dream Theater which despite the naysayers is a thematically consistent return to form, even though I don’t quite get all the love “Dead Asleep” is getting. Maybe you can decide for your yourself since it kicks off the 374th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist.

You know what else came out? New -(16)-, y’all! And a lot of us on staff are over the moon at the announcement of a new Tómarúm album forthcoming. There’s new Revocation and Benediction and Nauseating to whet your death metal appetite, classic Immortal to chase the black metal blues away, and a whole lot more stuff I chucked in there (mainly progressive metal like Teramaze and Lunar) that I guarantee is heavy and full of all the metals, even the ones that’ll turn your skin grey and leave you with weird, uncontrollable powers…

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

Rainbows in the Dark: Ian’s Best of 2024

IanLeave a comment
Best of 2024

It sure has been a long time since I’ve done one of these columns, huh?  I should probably try to fix that in the new year, considering I need some resolutions I /actually/ want to follow through on, and because I have so much fun dipping away from the metal world for a second to appreciate the sheer breadth of music the year has to offer us.  And offer us it did; 2024 was no exception to that rule, and some of the finest music that was released this year wasn’t even metal.  Because I just can’t help myself when it comes to list season, I am pathologically compelled to write to you, dear reader, about it.  I hope you’re ready to expand your consciousness and take in some more stellar music if you haven’t already, because these albums have been burning a hole in my brain just as much as any metal album has.

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The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 360 (11.02.2024)

ChrisLeave a comment
playlist - mixtape

Time is a circle. That’s the only thing I can come up for the 360th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist, which comes right after the nightmares horror fun of Halloween and right before the nightmare horror fuel that is the the 2024 presidential election. So we start with the spooky fun of Neon Nightmare and they blast of Type O Negative worship and the campy fun of the latest Cradle Of Filth (after loving the last three records I’m still unsure of the new one based on this single) before traversing into darker territory thanks to 1349 and Five The Hierophant.

The contributions from the rest of the 9C crew are a little light this week, but you’re getting a mix of things from the likes of Wardruna, Harsh Realm (featuring Midwife), a banging classic from Dillinger Escape Plan and a reminder that Godspeed You! Black Emperor have yet to put out a less than great album. There’s more; I’m sure you’ll find them.

Get listening. Stay safe. VOTE IF YOU’RE IN THE US. See you next week.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 261 (12.10.2022)

ChrisLeave a comment

playlist - mixtape

End of year is almost here. I’ve been spending the day clearing out all the albums from 2022 I know I’m not going to listen to again. It’s hard: some of those albums were pretty damn good, but I know my mind by now, and it’s the rare record that sticks around long enough to make a permanent addition to my collection. And while I was doing that I was finding some weird and fun music I’d collected over the years I hadn’t heard in a long, long while, so let’s make some room on this the 261st edition of the Nine Circles Playlist for some weird and loud noises thanks to bands like Ex Eye, Grip Inc., and New Keepers of the Water Towers.

You won’t need to bear my indulgence for long. The 9C crew brought the heavy down for you, including Jesus Piece, Conjureth, Hour of Penance, and Moonlight Sorcery. There’s some slightly older fare with the likes of Obsequiae, King Woman, and some crushing Godspeed You! Black Emperor. We go off the beaten path with Emma Ruth Rundle, Chapterhouse and New Order, but come back with some new Zeal & Ardor and much more.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

Best of 2017: Edge of Haze

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Edge of Haze

In keeping with the theme of guest “best of 2017” lists, today we have a top ten from Finland’s melodic rockers Edge of Haze who just last month released their latest full length Deluge. Their list represents a great cross section of like minded and sounding bands from across the rock and metal spectrum. Check out what picks they have to share and stick around for a stream of their newest album.  Continue reading →