m-theory audio – Nine Circles

Second Circle: Thanatotherion and Mythraeum

June 11, 2024June 10, 2024ColinLeave a comment

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

For today’s edition we’ll dive in with two albums advertised as black metal influenced by the likes of Emperor, Dark Funeral, and more, but ultimately present prominent death metal influences; one in the form of chunky, crushing riffs and the other in a more melodic, flashier way. Some interesting synths and impeccable soloing also round these albums out, so let’s descend and see what the new material from Thanatotherion and Mythraeum have to offer.

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CANTO: Greenleaf, Nile, Entheos, and More

May 29, 2024May 29, 2024CoreyLeave a comment

Only a few more work days until I’m able to come up for a little bit of air.

We can start with a quick tour. Blind Equation announced some headlining Midwest U.S. dates in July with Bejalvin & CPU Buddha, following some June dates… and before a couple of August dates.
Greenleaf released the final single from The Head & The Habit in mockumentary video form. Check out the clip for “Different Horses”, and get ready for the release of their new album on June 21 through Magnetic Eye.
Entheos unleashed their latest new single, “Life in Slow Motion”. That follows “An End To Everything” from last month, and serves as another precursor to whatever they have in store for the rest of 2024. We’ll be ready.
And then we have a new one from Mythraeum. With Oblivion Aeternam dropping next week through M-Theory Audio, they shared a video for “Beyond The Void”.
Nile are back, and we’re going to wrap up with their latest. The Underworld Awaits Us All arrives on August 23 through Napalm Records, and a video for “Chapter for Not Being Hung Upside Down on a Stake in the Underworld and Made to Eat Feces by the Four Apes” can be found below… and with that song title, I didn’t even need to add any filler words in this line item. Win-win.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Replacire, Avernus, Lord Buffalo, and More

May 22, 2024May 22, 2024CoreyLeave a comment

Alright friends, we’re just about back on schedule.

The streak continues. Starting with a Season of Mist item, tech-death outfit Replacire released a new single titled “The Helix Unravels”. That’s the third track pulled from their upcoming new album, The Center That Cannot Hold, which is out in a month.
Time for a dose of thrash. Esodic revealed a video for the blistering new track “De Facto De Jure”. That’s the title track from their new EP, which is out today.
When it comes to heavy psych, Lord Buffalo have always done it right in my book. Check out their new single, “I Wait on the Door Slab”, right here. That’s the second sample from Holus Bolus, out on July 12 through Blues Funeral Recordings.
Next, some goth rock, just to keep mixing up the genres tonight. Lamori presented the video for “My Desire”, a track from Neon Blood Fire. That album is coming Friday through Wormholedeath.
Chicago atmospheric death and doom project Avernus have signed a deal with M-Theory Audio, and in turn have dropped a new video for the digital single “Nemesis”, taken from their forthcoming new album, Grievances, which gets here on August 16.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Full of Hell, Týr, Earthburner, and More

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024CoreyLeave a comment

Today was a weird one! But, only a couple more days until a much needed change of scenery.

No doubt I’m leading off with Full of Hell, who announced new album details. Coagulated Bliss is scheduled to arrive April 26 through Closed Casket Activities, their sixth studio album. A music video for the first single, “Doors to Mental Agony”, is available now.
Earthburner have signed on with M-Theory Audio and will unveil their debut album later this year, titled Permanent Dawn. For now, check out the visualizer for the new single, “Slaves to the Screen”.
Thrashers Insanity Alert shared released details for their next EP, Moshemian Thrashody. Ha. That’s awesome. That one is out on May 17 through Season of Mist and a clip for “Beerless Fiesta” can be seen here.
For a dose of modern metal, here’s a new offering from Crownshift, titled “A World Beyond Reach”. That track is taken from their self-titled debut album, which is set for a May 10 release through Nuclear Blast.
Closing out, the new video from Týr for “Hammered” is available below, because I feel like closing with something entertaining and epic. That’s the latest from Battle Ballads, which is out on April 12 through Metal Blade Records. They’ve also got upcoming North American dates if you’re interested.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Obsidian Tongue, Enslaved, Warbringer, and More

December 21, 2023December 21, 2023CoreyLeave a comment

Fact: Winter Lager is officially the only Sam Adams beer I pursue anymore.

Obsidian Tongue, one of my favorite local black metal acts, dropped a new track today titled “The Stone Heart”. That’s the title track from a new EP slated for a February 2 release, and it features Obsequiae’s Tanner Anderson which is dope.
Thrash metal crew Warbringer are reissuing their first four albums on cassette in partnership with M-Theory Audio and Century Media. They’ll be released on February 9 and will be limited to 100 copies of each.
Doom crew Forever Falling have signed on with My Kingdom Music and are releasing their sophomore album, The Determinism Of Essence In Matter, next May. So keep an eye out for new material from that one as we head into the new year.
Italian progressive psych rockers Mr. Bison dropped a new video for “Collision”. That’s the second single taken from Echoes From Their Universe, their new album set for a February 16 release through Heavy Psych Sounds.
In celebration of the Winter Solstice, Enslaved released “Sequence – Live”. A track originally featured on Utgard, this live performance was from 2021’s streaming event The Otherworldly Big Band Experience. Check out the video below.