metal

Album Review: Lotus Thief and Forlesen — “Split”

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lotus thief forlesen split

I feel it’s auspicious that my first album review of the new year gives me yet another chance to rave about how much I love split releases. The camaraderie, the creativity, the dichotomy; the split is a nigh-perfect format for bands to do so much with, to lift each other up and highlight the best parts of each contributing act. Lotus Thief and Forlesen join such lofty ranks and prove that even when the people you’re collaborating with are mostly yourself the split still manages to capture the facets of each work that gives them a unique shine.

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The Nine Circles Audio Thing: Best of 2023!

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Best of 2023

Yep, we’re strongly and firmly in 2024 annnnd late with this by just a bit. But hey, you guys know that‘s our way by now and if not, now you do. Anyway, 2023 was huge for metal and if you’ve followed along on the site, we’ve all plastered our picks for you to peruse, enjoy, and maybe find something new or a nugget you missed. We love list season and that’s whay our normal cast of fam (Angela, Hera, Ian, Colin, and Vincent) led by our MC Buke got together to put the proverbial nail in the “Best of 2023” coffin once and for all. As usual the discussion is all over the place and fun was had by all. With that said, grab a seat or a piece of floor, your favorite beverage, and enjoy! We are already looking forward to doing this again in 2024.

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Autarkh on their new album “Emergent” and more!

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Autarkh

For anyone following along in the Nine Circles universe, it comes as no surprise that Autarkh is a huge favorite pretty much across the board. Form In Motion was, and still is, very high on our revisit list as it was unlike anything out there in the metal spectrum at the time. Progressive, epic, monumental, challenging are but some of the words to describe that first effort but even those barely scratch the surface. And now, they’re back with their sophomore outing, Emergent, and yet again will change the face of metal as we know it. Anton and Buke were both ecstatic when presented with the opportunity to chat with 75% of the band (Michele Nienhuis (vocals, guitars), Tijnn Verbruggen(synths, beats), and Desmond Kuijk (bass)) for the second time and wasted no time getting into the new album, what’s been going on since they last spoke, and so much more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy.

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Album Review: Laster — “Andermans Mijne”

Vincent4 Comments
laster andermans mijne

It may come across as presumptuous, but it feels really good to think back on a band that you’ve watched grow and evolve since their earliest days into what they are now. Laster are the prime example of such a band for me. I have been utterly enamored with the Dutch trio since Wijsgeer & Narreman, the band’s very first three-song demo released eleven years ago now; even in their most raw incarnation, it was plain to anyone with ears that they were on to something special, and it has been incredible to watch their music get more delirious and delightful as they have allowed themselves to progress. Now on their fourth full-length, Andermans Mijne finds them sleeker and more focused while still managing to push boundaries like only they can.

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Crow Lotus of Capra on their new album “Errors” and much more!

opethbodom4 Comments
Capra 2023
Image courtesy of Tyson Pate

Crow Lotus and Capra are no strangers to Nine Circles or this podcast. Their frenetic and damn captivating energy is second to none and with new album Errors they slam the door shut on any doubters and seal the deal that was inked in blood with their 2021 debut In Transmission. Any of you can find that album on tons of year end lists and this one will leave a bigger mark, trust us. Just ahead of the album’s release, our man Buke got the chance to chat, once more, with the inimitable Crow Lotus surrounding the new album, the past, the future, and so much more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

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