The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 208 (12.04.2021)

playlist - mixtape

It’s late…so late I can barely keep my eyes open. As I write this I’m coasting on the fumes of a Brown’s Oatmeal Stout and Bloodmoon: I, the collaboration between Converge, Stephen Brodsky and Chelsea Wolfe. The week was rough, and we’re staring down the barrel of some serious evil, so why not grab a drink and toast to the end of the world, huh? Maybe the 208th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist is the one that plays as the world burns to ash…we’ll see.

We’re kicking things off with some classic Gwar before turning to a pair of great black metal tracks I recently discovered from Ferriterium and svrm. Vincent reminds us that Eight Bells are back after a long absence, and tunes into my wavelength with some sonic heaviness courtesy of Boris. Anton continues to hold down the fort with the newest single from post-metal masters Cult of Luna but sprinkles in some madness with Dessiderium. Then it’s Buke’s turn and he holds the classic metal torch high, blazing the light on some Death Angel, Edge of Sanity, and Entombed. Want something a little more extreme? Josh reminds us how incredible Imperial Triumphant are with a cut from their new live set, and also hammers us with some Alchemy of Flesh and Bongzilla. Angela gets some fury in as well, bringing in Carcass and MØL before Vincent takes us home with the latest from 40 Watt Sun.

Let’s do better, humanity. I’m tired and just want to see the daylight…preferably with some good tunes in my ears.

Chris

Scholar of the First Sin: Hera’s Best of 2019

Best of 2019

The Dark Souls franchise may own this title, but Aldia’s got nothing on me.

Last year around this time I made a statement, hoping that I would take it easier on the album listening; however, I also said that it would be for naught, as my 2019 release calendar was looking great and I was so excited about it.

However, life has a way of kicking you in the bollocks. Continue reading

Nine* Circles ov…What “Didn’t” Make My 2019 End of Year List (But Should Have)

Best of 2019

* Hey it’s Thursday!  And it’s more than 9!  What else is new?  I hereby fully (don’t) apologize for the late entry that clearly doesn’t at all conform to the format.  Suck it….

I tried to keep my 2019 End of Year list(s) brief…I really did.  But like last year simply too much happens in the span of 365 days to limit advocating and championing the things one comes to love.  And I’m not talking about the release of records.  I’m speaking to the way we change and grow and mutate with every experience, the way what we hold dear or take comfort in stands as a totem or ward against the hate and pain of a world gone mad, a world that grinds away at our compassion, our love, and our fortitude to stand against it while maintaining the core of who we are.  Continue reading

Nine Circles ov…Metal on My Horror Break

Nine Cirlces ov.... October 2019

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been on here talking about metal.  That’s because I’ve been knee-deep in Blood Red, our annual horror series where I watch a crap-ton of movies and write them up for the Letterboxd Hooptober Marathon.  But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been listening to metal – I’ve been trying to keep up with the veritable glut of heavy offerings bestowed upon us so far this Autumn season.  So for this edition of Nine Circles ov… I thought I’d jump in and share nine recent(-ish) releases that have been keeping the blood pumping…as it spurts out a major artery.

Without further ado, let’s dive in.  Continue reading

Initial Descent: May 20, 2016

katatonia band 2016
Photo credit: Ester Segarra

Guys. GUYS. We’ve got less than a week ’til MDF. If I sound like a broken record right now…fuck you, I don’t particularly care. I’m JACKED for this thing.

But until then, we’ve got quite a bit of new metal to hold us over. Like, oh, I don’t know…new Katatonia, for starters? The Swedes are back with album number ten, The Fall of Hearts, which you can bet your asses Mr. Butterworth and I are psyched for. (Check out his review after the jump if you don’t believe me.) We’ve also got a new EP from OSDM worshippers Gruesome — who, oh yeah, will also be all about that MDF life next week. Tons more in the queue, so let’s not waste any more time. Here’s what’s on tap for this week:
Continue reading