The riff, the foundation from which all heavy rock music is built. It is the molten material used to forge inspiration for future generations of rock guitarists. There’s a reason Eddie Van Halen’s most famous piece is called “Eruption.” Whether it’s a sludgy doom riff or a buzzsaw grind riff, heavy music is nothing without the riff. Tales of Demonic Possession, the latest album by Clouds Taste Satanic, is an ode to the riff.
Continue readinginstrumental
The Nine Circles Audio Thing: Russian Circles was August 2022’s Album of the Month!


Once again it’s Album of the Month time and for August it was a little crazy. We had a pick, or not, and then had another, or not, then we put it to a vote to decide once and for all. In the end Gnosis from Russian Circles ended up getting the most votes, and for good reason. The usual gang of suspects are present for the discussion as well as MC Supreme Buke. Much is made of just how good Russian Circles’ brand of post-instrumetal still is this far along and elsewhere the gang spends a good portion of the runtime gushing over everything else they listened to since they last got together. That and the usual banter back and forth on literally anything and everything.
In other words, just another episode of the Nine Circles Audio Thing.
Continue readingRainbows in the Dark: The Omnific — “Escapades”
Gee, The Omnific, how come your mom let you have two bass players? We make jokes, we bust out the memes, but the cold hard facts are that, despite what might look like a gimmick at first, the Australian three piece have already put in the work and reaped the rewards of a lot of hard work and determination, not to mention a whole lot of talent, and all that even comes before the release of their first full-length album, the aptly titles Escapades. On this release, the band seeks to prove that they are more than just a fluke, and, spoiler alert, they absolutely do.
Continue readingThe Nine Circles Audio Thing: Year Of No Light was July 2021’s Album of the Month!
Episode 92 of The Nine Circles Audio Thing covers the fifth full length from Year Of No Light, Consolamentum. Buke once again captains the episode with Hera, Ian, Angela, and Vincent in tow as they break down the album, band, and how this one lands in the trajectory of one of post metal’s shining lights.
Continue readingAlbum Review: Tanjiir – “Purnima”
When I think of post-metal, I think of the color gray – this deep, melancholic sound that reminds me of rainy days and under-the-surface emotions. It’s supposed to be a soothing alternative to the intricacies of the other genres, a balm of sorts that allows a reset when you least expect it. Adding more elements from other genres may ruin that soothing atmosphere if not done correctly, especially if you have a penchant for the heavier instruments. However, in the case of Tanjiir’s Purnima, the prog elements that make up the backbone here not only add to the atmosphere of the record, they also give it a silver lining. Continue reading