Writing this list in particular is always one of my favorite points in the year. It’s the time where I get to look at everyone else’s list and go “hey, I should have included that too!”, and it gives me a chance to go back and look at all the stuff that I have missed out on listening to in favor of obligations, lack of time, lack of brainpower, or simply not being able to turn off Origins like I know I need to. It’s always good to take one last look back on everything before we properly usher in the new year and new releases with it, so let’s jump into some of the things that I am currently kicking myself for not giving more attention to.
And so we’ve arrived at the big one, all preambles aside and sufficiently digested. These are the albums that stuck with me the most throughout 2022, and all of them hold their own special place in my heart, no matter what spot they occupy. I would say this list is somewhat in order. The top three are definitely the top three, although overall order is somewhat subjective and highly dependent on what I most recently listened to out of these picks, but rest assured that they are all superior examples of the music that came out over the previous twelve months. We had no shortage of great albums, and 2023 is already looking to be another year of great releases. So as we say goodbye to 2022 and look forward to the bright future, let’s take a look back on the best of the best, at least that I have found.
That’s it. So long 2022, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. I just posted my end of year list, and yeah: the #1 pick is a crossover hardcore punk album that incorporates free jazz and noise and everything under the sun…what else did you expect? So let’s kick off the last edition of the Nine Circles Playlist with the mighty OFF! and see what else will help us close out the new year.
To paraphrase The Outer Limits, I will control the horizontal. I will control the vertical. So that means I’m also going to front-load this with the 80s metal I picked up on vinyl and cassette this week. Which means you’re getting dosed with some classic Accept and Satan…you’re welcome. Elsewhere in the Nine Circles universe we’ve got plenty of heavy to ring in 2023, including music from Angerot, Shores of Lunacy and Leper Colony, a blast of bangers from Yob, Mizmor + Thou and Nechochwen, more killer music from Predatory Light (I really need to revisit that) and Moonlight Sorcery, not to mention D. Morris BRINGING IT with some classic Harvey Milk. There’s a ton more, including God Mother, Windhand, Asunojuokei (for once not added by me, so thanks Ian!), and Morrow, among others.
That’s it for 2022. Get listening. Stay safe. See you next year…
Having only seen Mizmor once, and feeling the need to increase that number, we’ll start with some recently announced live dates. An upcoming August tour, mostly on the other side of the country as myself, will feature material from Cairn. Make that happen if you can.
Looks like Cradle of Filth have switched over to Napalm Records. I can definitely see that match working out, so I’m not going to question it. As a reminder, Cradle of Filth are on the road the next few weeks if you feel like adding another show to your schedule.
True black metal legion Hats Barn have set June 24th as the international release date of Y.a.HW.e.H, their sixth album. That will be out through Osmose, and purchase information is available here. We’ll check back when the first track drops later this month.
The Devil Wears Prada have announced summer tour plans, with Stray From The Path and Dying Wish. Those dates are in August and September, and tickets can be acquired here.
One additional signing to highlight today, that being Opponent joining the Solid State Records roster. To mark the occasion, they released a new video for “Betrayed”. Give a watch below.
Happy Walpurgisnacht. That’s a thing with the metal community, right? I can’t keep up with your predilections. I think I hit the wall a few days ago listening to new music, stuff bouncing off me with little to no connection. Does everyone go through this? I’m sure it will come back, but for now I think I’m going to leave the 229th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist to the staff who have been going slow, hard, and deep into the metals for your weekly listening pleasure.
Vincent takes the lead this morning with some new Terzij de Horde and a little nugget from the last Deafheaven album. Then a surprise appearance from our Literati Overlord who has been over the moon with the new single from Saor. He also throws in some Nite, Dark Funeral, and a cut from site fave King Dude. Have you ever known Josh not to bring the ridiculously heavy? This week he comes in hot with Scepticflesh, Black Void, Unholy Pestilence, and Kanine. Anton can always be relied on to present new music, and he doesn’t disappoint with tracks from Spook the Horses, Final Light and Path of Might. Angela looks to challenge Josh for heaviest music with something from the new Mizmor/Thou collaboration, some Primitive Man (making its second appearance in two weeks), and a buzzing dose of punk and hardcore from the great Fucked Up before wrapping with some Astronoid. Finally Buke takes us home with a bevy of songs, including Iron Maiden, Pharmacist, Power Trip, Tom Waits, UFO, and some new Rammstein to close it up.
Nine Circles 