And just like that, we’re halfway through 2019. Also, nearly into August at this point – late is the name of the game, folks. Anyway, catch our most recent entries into some favorites we have at the halfway point, here, here, and here, then scroll below for a few more we had left to highlight from the second quarter that we either missed or needed to discuss again. It’s been that kind of year to where some things just warrant extra discussion and it shows no stopping or letting up either. Consider this a Circle Pit of two, two enter and two leave…wait. Just do it and maybe you’ll come away with a new favorite. Continue reading →
Did you listen to the June Album of the Month podcast episode? Did you do the homework? Did you think we would leave you hanging? Fear not, for below you will find a quick list (with links to boot!) of all the albums mentioned by the Nine Circles crew as early 2019 favorites. Dive in, take a listen, and let us know what else is killing you so far this year.
*Note: Abbath isn’t actually in this list. That is an oversight, because I’ve been loving Outstrider. But any chance to post a picture of Abbath can’t be passed up, so…Continue reading →
Somewhere in the tangle of stoner metal and hard rock, where the sinew of heavy distortion meets the sweet muscle of melody and hook, lay the spark of what just might be my favorite kind of music. Hard, biting, but never afraid to grab onto a hook and hold on for dear life. Sometimes you want to roar and smash your head, and sometimes you just want to close your eyes, reach out to the universe and sing along loud enough to let it know you exist, you matter, and you feel the connection the music brings.
The point being, again (for those that missed it the last time): Lo-Pan. Specifically their new album Subtle, which is anything but when it comes to my adoration for it. Continue reading →
Literally no one said ‘hey, I want to read this lengthy ass intro of blah blah’s and yada yada’s’ when there’s a mountain of metal to get to. So, shall we?! I know, it’s Monday. But still, LET’S DO IT.
When I think of power metal, what I really think of is the thrashy classic metal leaning sort that Atlanta’s Paladin provide on debut full length Ascension. After being head over heels with their previous pair of shweeet demos, this surpasses my expectations and brings a mile wide grin. Weeping Choir, the fourth full length from Full of Hell, touches on nearly every facet of the band’s busy history and is one of their most ferocious outings yet; grind, death, noise, experimental, the list could go on but you get the idea and you know they rule so, do that – choirs will definitely weep. Lo-Pan just continue to be one of the most exciting bands in heavy rock today and on Subtle they put an exclamation mark on that statement and are anything but subtle. Last up top is the legendary Saint Vitus with their first full length in seven years and ninth overall, Saint Vitus, AND with Scott Reagers back behind the mic. Personally, I was stoked for this thing and even though it’s not one of their best it is very good and I’m enjoying it. Your mileage may vary, etc etc.
And here we are. A few more pages of the book before it closes.
Two thousand and seventeen years after we decided to start again at zero it feels like a reset is needed more than ever. And this doesn’t even take into consideration the collective chaos and suppurating hate that seemingly fills the space between the molecules in our media, our politics, and our increasingly hostile behavior toward each other. That poison surrounds but has yet to work its way into my bloodstream. It’s a selfish ask, entirely due to my own weaknesses, insecurities and inability to take the steps needed to be just a little better each day: as a husband, a father, a writer, a musician, but most of all as a human being. It’s been a challenging year, and I have a long road ahead if I want to keep on having challenging years, let alone any years.
More than ever it was music that kept my head above water, allowed a glimmer of land to guide me ashore. Continue reading →
Nine Circles 