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The Nine Circles Audio Thing: Netherlands’ Timo Ellis on new album “Zombie Techno,” side effects of current events and staying busy creating music, an explosive new video, and more!

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Netherlands

Current events have been a bitch for artists the world over but for Brooklyn rockers, Netherlands, it’s afforded the opportunity to double down on creating music. Last week the band released their fifth full length Zombie Techno via frontman Timo Ellis‘s Records and Tapes Records imprint and it’s another in a long line that’s incredibly hard to pin down but for those of you living under a rock and completely unaware, their sound is somewhere between sludge, pop, avantmetal, and heavy as heck with amazing vocals. It’s catchy, entertaining, unique and carries a powerful message. So, yeah…if you like Netherlands, it’s time to get excited and if you don’t know, it’s time to get acquainted.
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Initial Descent: June 21 – 27, 2020

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inexorum band
Inexorum

Alright then, no need to rehash current events. Pretty sure we all know shit’s on fire and if we don’t, shame on us. Might as well showcase some extreme metal for some extreme times, let’s get it. For their second full length, Inexorum pretty much lay waste to any band trying the whole atmospheric, emotionally packed yet razored raw black metal in one fell swoop—yea, it’s that good. Chaotic avantmetallers Netherlands return with another reason to fall in love with poppy hooks, extreme bass, velvety vocals, and melodies that stick like glue–count me in. Serocs flip the tech and brutal switches on their latest death metal EP, and Pyrrhon make us question whether it’s death metal or extreme metal or just genius at work but honestly no surprises here since they’ve been doing that since day one. Tons more to dig into below so go grab your soundtrack to the global fire. Continue reading →

The Nine Circles Audio Thing: Netherlands’ Timo Ellis on “Black Gaia,” surviving the cesspool, and more!

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Netherlands
Netherlands

If you’ve been following my ramblings here long enough, it’s a given that New York’s Netherlands are miles away from the norm which consequently makes them a shoe in for favorite status in my book. August 24 marks the release date of Netherland’s fifth effort, Black Gaia, on frontman Timo Ellis’ imprint Records and Tapes Records. It’s an album that pulls in all their legendary psychedelic freak outs, melodic poppy hooks, bottom heavy bombast and the knack for ridiculously catchy songwriting into a MOUNTAIN of a successful album. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: February 4 – 10, 2018

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Netherlands
Netherlands

Another weekend, another relief. It’s been a long and I mean LONG week but finally it’s time to kick those feet up and let the rough side drag. And you better believe I’m letting it drag whilst listening to all this week has to offer and HEY, you should be too. Kicking things off is the ultimate good time, off-kilter and absolutely outstanding Netherlands with their new EP Hope Porn — hit up “Rewild!” and let your worries melt away. Next up is The Atlas Moth with Coma Noir and I’m telling you now, this band has never sounded better, progressive sludge at its finest. Following that is Under the Mountain by King Witch and I dare you to find a better song than “Ancients” — the 70’s swing and classic rock vibes just drip from every note here. And closing the top slots this week is Fu Manchu with Clone of the Universe and honestly their brand of desert rock hasn’t sounded this good since the days of “Weird Beard.” Look that up and get back to me. So, another fantastic start but we are long from being done. Jump in and have fun, that’s what it’s all about. Continue reading →

Interview: Timo Ellis of Netherlands on New EP Hope Porn, Being Loud and New Label Records and Tapes Records

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Netherlands
Netherlands

Following on the heels of three successful and wildly varied full lengths, Brooklyn based Netherlands will be releasing their new EP, Hope Porn, on February 9 via mastermind Timo Ellis’ new imprint Records and Tapes Records. Hope Porn isn’t as far a departure from Audubon as the hard driving Silicon Vapor was from the spastic Fantasmatic but it is some of the catchiest and more immediately accessible work the band has done to date. Which simply means the joy encountered after hearing the overwhelming energy across these six tracks is palpable. Odd time signatures, hooks big enough to hang a bridge from and excellent songwriting all come together to form a cohesive juggernaut that settles in your brain and refuses to leave — a good thing, trust me. Ahead of Hope Porn we had the opportunity to talk to Ellis about the new music, embracing ‘the loud’ and his new label imprint, among many other things. Head inside to see what he had to say and don’t forget to support the band while you’re at it.

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