psycroptic – Nine Circles

Best of 2022: Josh’s List

January 12, 2023January 10, 2023JoshLeave a comment

I had this enormous amount of words set to open this thing but opted for… not that. We’ve all lived through another year so there’s no need to reiterate. Instead, I’ll say that 2022 was great for me. It’ll be one of those years I’ll look back on as one that changed things for the better and I’ll have extremely fond memories of it for reasons I can’t mention here. But, I’ll also look back on it as a tremendous year for metal. And it doesn’t matter what strain you dig as pretty much all of it had a banner year. I know it seems like we’re a broken record saying that every year, but 2022 was damn strong. If you don’t feel the same, please rewind and revisit and get back to me. Otherwise, welcome to all the things that made a huge difference for me throughout the year and what was my 2022 soundtrack, what made the biggest impact…whatever, you get the idea. This list of 18…, wait…you ask “why 18?” Well, branding of course. We’re Nine Circles so you’ll get my top 9 and my 9 honorable mentions… and a few special mentions. 9C, as it was. So, let’s do it…

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Album Review: Psycroptic — “Divine Council”

August 4, 2022August 4, 2022Ian1 Comment

I’ve gotta admit, I had no idea that Psycroptic has been around as long as they have until I listened to Buke’s interview with drummer Dave Haley (go and listen to it, like, now). I have listened to them before, but my introduction to them came from 2018’s As the Kingdom Drowns, and the reason I checked that album out in the first place was because the cover art was created by Mariusz Lewandowski (maaaaaaaan, RIP). Of course, when I listened, I was blown away by the deft mix of tech and death metal, and when I saw we got the promo for Divine Council, it was a no-brainer for me to grab it.

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Initial Descent: July 31 – August 6, 2022

August 1, 2022August 1, 2022JoshLeave a comment

Another seven day rotation and we’re back with more new metal. New metal Monday’s, as it were. Or, whatever you want to call it. Anyway, this week’s list isn’t as bulky as recent ones but you can bet the quality is still there. You want proof? Sure, how about Psycroptic who understand how to mix great songs with tech death, or Fleshrot who just make killer dirty death metal, or Amon Amarth who have completely cornered the melodic viking death market, or Abaddon Incarnate who make vicious as hell deathgrind. And DO NOT forget about Soulfly, don’t you do it. So, go do your homework and find what trips your trigger then shower it with your purchasing power. Happy hunting and we’ll see you here throughout the week.

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Psycroptic’s Dave Haley on new album “Divine Council” and much more!

July 27, 2022July 23, 2022opethbodom2 Comments

If you’re thinking Psycroptic are yet another tech death band in a sea of them, you’d be dead wrong and obviously haven’t been paying attention since 1999. They’ve always known that to be a tech death band that matters, the songs actually have to be good and catchy and deeper than just what’s on the surface. Never has this been more the case than on their eighth full length Divine Council. This is a nine track megalodon with teeth big enough to eat a continent and songs that are insanely good all based around an epic storyline with wicked good songwriting, quite possibly their best yet. Buke sat down with drummer Dave Haley to discuss the album, the band’s history, 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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The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 239 (7.9.2022)

July 9, 2022July 8, 2022ChrisLeave a comment

Friday night. Bourbon. Metal. This is how we do it here at Nine Circles. I’ve been listening nonstop to the new Wormrot record that came out on 7/8. It’s a monster, and they’re probably the best grind band out there right now, in my humble opinion. But before we hit that up I have some internet surprises that hit me in just the right spot…maybe they’ll hit you, too.

Elsewhere Josh has everyone in a frenzy with new music from Psycroptic and Municipal Waste and Trapped In The Morgue…and then slays with a classic cut from one of my favorite Death records. Vincent is up next and he’s serving some new music from Cloud Rat and the new project from the folks in Yellow Eyes called Sunrise Patriot Motion before hitting some old school sounds from Pianos Become The Teeth. Next up is Angela charing the plains with Amon Amarth, followed by some Telekinetic Yeti and The Chasm. Finally Ian returns and lays down some Woods of Desolation, Svalbard, First Fragment and then a whopper of a track from the Violent Femmes because you know you all love “Blister in the Sun” as much as we do. And since we’re a little short today and it’s what I’m currently listening to as I write this there’s a massive jam from Grand Funk Railroad just to shake things up. Make of that what you will – they were featured in an issue of Decibel SO IT COUNTS!