Nine Circles ov…Recent Albums Keeping Me Tethered to Metal

It’s been over nine weeks since I’ve written anything for the site other than the weekly playlists and – truth be told – I was feeling a little less than enthusiastic about the state of extreme music in the year of our (metal) Lord 2023. Most of my music explorations have been outside the genre or stuck in the well-worn alleys of nostalgia. Which is perfectly fine, and simply notes my connection to metal, not the state of the music for the rest of the world.

There have been rays of light here and there, though: the latest platters from VoidCeremony, Dødheimsgard and Liturgy – all reviewed by our killer staff – found a place in my rotation. But for this edition of Nine Circles ov... I want to focus (for what I think is the fourth time) on recent albums not covered by the site but found a way to break through the wall I’ve put up to focus on other avenues of interest. Maybe you’re in a similar place, and maybe you’ve found some of the music I’ve recommended in the past to speak to you like they do me. Let’s find out.

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Premiere: Vanishment — “Dismiss the Warning”


We’re less than two weeks away from the release of No More Torture, the debut full-length from Vanishment, and today we’re fired up to bring you the second track from that effort, “Dismiss the Warning”. If you’re looking for some classic, raw, heavy thrash… you’ve absolutely come to the right place. Get the full scoop on the upcoming new album, set for a March 3 release through Dead Sage, and the latest sampling from that collection, immediately after the jump.

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Second Circle: Hammers of Misfortune and Arrayan Path

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

If there’s a theme to this edition of Second Circle, it’s that I’m so bogged down trying to get my usual massive and way overdone end of year list(s) ready that I can’t find the time to do proper in-depth reviews for both of the albums featured today. Which happens to be the latest from Hammers of Misfortune and Arrayan Path.

So let’s do this.

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Album Review: Devil’s Witches — “In All Her Forms”

Here just in time for Samhain, the undefinable Devil’s Witches are back offering their newest creation In All Her Forms to the masses.  Though this is only the band’s second full-length, they’ve been keeping fans happy and up to date by releasing EPs and singles over the past few years.  This mysterious band has a unique blend of sounds and delves into various styles creating fresh and never boring music.  In All Her Forms consists of doom, heavy metal, psych metal, classic rock, folk rock, and 70’s lounge music—just to name a few detected influences.  The album focuses on themes of the Maiden, Mistress, Mother, and Matriarch, making the music utterly magical and powerful.

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Album Review: Megadeth – “The Sick, The Dying…And The Dead!”

Megadeth - The Sick The Dying and The Dead

Remember back in 2016 when we all cheered when it seemed like Megadeth were back and supercharged? Dystopia felt like Mustaine revitalized: bringing in killer players like Kiko Loureiro of Angra and Chris Adler of Lamb of God to back up the twin Daves…and then it all kinda got washed away again. Adler left (and left Lamb of God, to boot), Mustaine got cancer, and Ellefson got caught doing, well…we know what he got caught doing. So it’s understandable that it took years to get The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead! to the masses. Early singles revealed a heaviness fans have been waiting for seemingly forever – was this the “return” we’ve truly been waiting for?

I have no idea – we didn’t get a promo so now that the album’s officially released I’m gonna jump in with a virgin listen and give you my thoughts track by track. So strap on your bandoliers and pistoleros and let’s get to the heavy.

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