kayo dot – Nine Circles

Nine Circles ov…What Didn’t Make My 2021 End of Year List…(But Could Have)

December 14, 2021December 13, 2021Chris1 Comment

It starts like it does every other year, with me desperately trying to whittle down the list of incredible albums I listened to into a manageable number. Well, maybe not so manageable; I know I’m known around these parts as the guy whose lists are waaaaay too long. But there’s so much out there, so many albums that impact me in large and small ways. Maybe it’s a riff, or a chorus, or a certain vocal line. It doesn’t matter; I just know I want to acknowledge it in some way and pass it on. Maybe it will impact you, too.

You’d think a list of 40 albums – my “official” Top 25 ranked list and an Honorable Mention list of 15 other albums in alphabetical order would be enough (it is for Decibel). But it never is. So for the past few years I’ve tacked on an additional nine albums that may not have made my lists for various reasons, but I still love and want to put on your radar. It’s never too late too discover something. Time may move ever forward, but these great records will forever be here for you to discover. Forget labels. Forget hype and marketing. Take a look (better yet, take a listen) to this edition of Nine Circles ov… and see what didn’t make my list for 2021…but maybe should have.

Continue reading →

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 206 (11.20.2021)

November 20, 2021ChrisLeave a comment

That’s it: we’re officially in End of Year™ territory now. The big guns are coming out, as Decibel Magazine preemptively shared their Top 40 of 2021 prior to publication in the vain hopes of staving off blogs who simply post the list for views. I’d rather give them the props and the views, so head over there to check it out. In the meantime I’m on my fifth listen of the new Stormkeep and debating how high to have it on my own list. Because yeah…it’s gonna be there.

But enough of that. Welcome to Volume 206 of the Nine Circles Playlist, where we may or may not have some music that will appear on own own lists. In addition to our fearless editor Josh priming the pump with Stormkeep he’s heavily digging the latest from Hypocrisy and Sanguisugabogg. Angela has fallen hard for the hardcore punk coming from Fucked Up and the murky psychedelic cosmic stoner sounds of Tortuga. Buke never fails to bring the classic heavy to the list, so buckle up for some new retro courtesy of Haunt and Traveler as well as old school flavor from Judas Priest. Jon emerges from the snowy depths of the Great North to champion new stuff from Archspire and Every Time I Die. Vincent wallows in the despair of heavier fare from Emma Ruth Rundle, Lantlôs, and Dream Unending. As for me? I’m sitting here in the CLOUDS with Enslaved, digging the skramz of Warren of Ohms, and am in hook line and sinker with Josh about the new single from outlaw country bastard Paul Cauthen.

Country as Fuck, folks. No better way to close out the playlist this week. See you next time!

—

– Chris

CANTO: Swallow the Sun, Full of Hell, Carcass, and More

August 3, 2021August 3, 2021CoreyLeave a comment

Alright, so today was slightly more normal? But only slightly. Very, very slightly.

Let’s kick things off with some news from Swallow the Sun. The Finnish death doom legends have announced a new studio album, which will be titled Moonflowers. That’s set for a November 19th release through Century Media. But wait, there’s more! In addition, there will also be an instrumental version of the album, and you can check out the clip for “Moonflowers Bloom In Misery” as performed by Trio NOX right now.
This is probably a good time to check in on Carcass, since Torn Arteries is out next month (through Nuclear Blast). Today they released the first album trailer, for “Kelly’s Meat Emporium”, which is worth a couple minutes of your time. Also, one of the tracks on the new album is called “Eleanor Rigor Mortis”… andddddd I’m dead.
Kayo Dot dropped a new single ahead of the release of Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike, an album that is set for an October 29th release through Prophecy Productions. For now, check out the clip for “Void in Virgo (The Nature of Sacrifice)”.
Agressor are reissuing their first two albums, Neverending Destiny and Towards Beyond, on vinyl (and CD) through Season of Mist. The release date is set for September 24th, but you can pre-order them right now at this location.
The biggest news of the day, however, likely came from Full of Hell, who also announced a new full-length. Garden of Burning Apparitions is set for an October 1st release through Relapse Records. (Side note: what a year it has been for Relapse!) Check out the video for “Industrial Messiah Complex” immediately below.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

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

December 19, 2019December 18, 2019Chris4 Comments

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 →

CANTO: Amon Amarth’s new drummer, MDF XV lineup, Steel Panther updates, and more

October 3, 2016October 3, 2016CoreyLeave a comment

mdfxv

“Behold all that you now know… evil, evil.”

Amon Amarth officially has a new drummer. And that would be Jocke Wallgren. He has been playing with Amon Amarth on their most recent tour. So this shouldn’t be that surprising.
Maryland Deathfest has confirmed the rest of their 2017 lineup. Highlights from the last announcement include Candlemass, Grave, and Oranssi Pazuzu. I’m still not going.
Steel Panther have announced their new album, Lower The Bar, will be out February 24, 2017. I’m sure some people are super excited about that.
Eh, why not mention a new tour? That weird stuff known as Kayo Dot will be hitting a few spots in North America this October and November. I hear they are good.
Finally, here’s Mastodon in a phone sex ad (of sorts) because why the fuck not?