instrumental
Premiere: Anchorhold – “Five Weeks”
Atmospheric black metal can take many shapes and forms, that much we’ve definitely seen and heard in the recent past. But when the subject matter deals with the decline and eventual loss of a loved one, it takes on a whole new meaning as well as provide a bottomless canvas to document the harrowing experience. This is exactly what Jimmy Sisco (Platoon 1107, Absolved) did with his project Anchorhold after his father was diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer. From A Father’s Son, due out August 10 on The Fear and the Void Recordings, is a four track documentation of the human side to this process and unfolds in an extremely stirring maelstrom of emotions. Today, Nine Circles is pleased to bring you a premiere of the EP’s third track “Five Weeks.” Continue reading
Album Review: Kevin Hufnagel – Messages to the Past
Part of the allure of extreme metal is the challenge inherent in the execution. Coming of age in heyday of the 80s guitar wizardry I was obsessed with the technical prowess of shredders like Vinnie Moore, Cacophony (Friedman and Becker), Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and – of course – his Swedish Harmonic Minor Majesty Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Kevin Hufnagel has in his many band configurations been leading the charge in creating and shaping music that rivals and at times surpasses the heroics of the previous era, but his instincts to ground that technicality in solid song craft has always been priority. That ear for composition has never been more exposed in Messages to the Past, which acts as fond recall to the era of incredible instrumental albums while simultaneously exposing his influences and melodic sense in a beautifully layered set of songs. Continue reading
Profile: Ryan Schutte of Seattle’s Experimental Mathy Grind Duo Pound
For a band that consists solely of two members that play a nine string guitar and dual drum kits respectively, Seattle’s Pound make one hell of a sweet racket. Set to release their debut full length, Pound, in July via Silent Pendulum Records this duo will readily lay to rest any doubts of reading a descriptor such as “mathy grind over ridiculous grooves with a pinch of doom and a techy heart.” Yes, there is quite a a lot thrown together here but the seamless way guitarist Ryan Schutte and drummer David Stickney string it all together, cohesive and hypnotic are words that float right to the front of the brain. I’ve said before that an instrumental band absolutely has to give it all to keep attention spans and Pound do this in spades. We recently had the chance to sit down with Ryan armed with our set of Profile questions to find out what makes the band tick and he knocked it out of the park for an extremely interesting read. Check it out below and don’t forget to hit the links and grab a copy for yourself. Continue reading
Interview: Max Tremblay of Sleaze n’ Rollers The Death Wheelers on Their New Album “I Tread On Your Grave,” Bikesploitation Aesthetics and Instrumental Ecstasy
Remember the sleazy biker / horror (aka: bikesploitation) movies from the 70s that had some of the best soundtracks? Whether you do or have no idea what I’m talking about, you’re in luck — Canada’s The Death Wheelers will be releasing their debut full length, I Tread On Your Grave, this week via RidingEasy Records and it’s a picture perfect homage to this era and its aesthetic. Along the album’s eleven tracks the band weave a tale of a motorcycle club being wiped out by authorities then returning from the grave to exact revenge. And it all unfolds over some of the most raucous sleaze-n-roll jams around — not to mention successfully pulling this off as an instrumental band. From the album art to the song names to the sordid riffs contained, The Death Wheelers bust this genre wide open for a new look from new fans. Just ahead of the album’s release we had the chance to sit down with bassist Max ‘The Axe’ Tremblay to discuss the new album, the band’s tie in with bikesploitation and the ecstasy of being an instrumental band. Read on and don’t forget to pick up your own copy May 11. Continue reading
