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.

Ah, the EP.  Loose in definition but clear in concept, it’s the not-quite-a-full-length musical execution that doesn’t always get the praise it deserves.  Whether you want to explore a conceptual or musical theme that doesn’t fit within the framework of your band’s identity, or you have some leftovers that didn’t make the album but you hesitate to relegate to a B-side, the idea behind the EP is fascinating.  So for this edition of Second Circle I wanted to focus on two new releases that fit the mold of maintaining a unifying theme over the course of their brief run time.  So let’s knuckle down and talk about Sxuperion and Corpsehammer.   Continue reading →