testament – Nine Circles

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 245 (8.20.2022)

August 20, 2022ChrisLeave a comment

After years of seeing that cassette logo at the top of every edition of the Nine Circles Playlist (brought to you now for the 245th time) I finally caved and bought a cassette deck for my stereo system. I have a few tapes lying around from niche labels filled with strange and discordant sounds, so why not? Maybe I’ll even find those old mix tapes I used to have in college and see if they’re still in a playable condition…music as archeology, you know?

I don’t know if anything in this week’s playlist is available on cassette, but I can provide definitive proof you can find it on YouTube. The gang brings in tracks from Sarattma, the return of Toxik, as well as new music from Clutch, Revocation, Conan, Conjurer, Lathe, Ripped to Shreds and An Abstract Illusion. We throw in some shoegaze and indie from My Bloody Valentine and Broken Social Scene to break up the extremity (although I still think MBV’s Loveless is one of the most extreme albums to ever come out) before wrapping it all up with some classic tracks, including a live cut from Opeth, some Testament, Merauder, and Watchtower, among others.

—

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

—

– Chris

CANTO: Testament, Gatecreeper, Haunter, and More

March 1, 2022March 1, 2022CoreyLeave a comment

The times… well, they certainly are a-changin’.

We’ll start with a quick one. Testament has announced their new drummer. Dave Lombardo is back, and that is definitely an awesome thing. Be sure to catch them on tour this coming April and May with Exodus and Death Angel.
From there, we have a couple of notable tours to share today. First, we have Gatecreeper. They have April and May dates lined up with Narrow Head, 200 Stab Wounds, and Fearing. Tickets go on sale this coming Friday at Gatecreeper’s website.
And then Whores, Bummer, and Capra are touring the United States this coming June, kicking off on the 1st in Nashville. I’m telling you right now… that’s going to be a super fun show.
Texas progressive death/black metal collective Haunter is releasing Discarnate Ails on May 6th through Profound Lore. Check out a segment of the closing track, “Chained at the Helm of Eschaton”, right here.
Closing out what has been an absolutely wild Tuesday with the new track from Hell Militia for “Lifeless Light”. Hollow Void is set for a March 18th release through Season of Mist Underground Activists.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Testament, Azazel, Bzask, and More

June 28, 2021June 28, 2021CoreyLeave a comment

Alright. Only a few more days until I’m in the woods. Let’s do this!

Let’s start with news out of Nuclear Blast. “The Bay Strikes Back Tour”, featuring Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel, kicks off (kind of) with the Blue Ridge Rock Festival on September 9th and runs through November 27th. Lots of dates, lots of fun. Pre-sales start tomorrow, and everything else goes on sale this coming Thursday, July 1st.
Columbus-based rock collective Beartooth have announced “The Journey Below” streaming event. That is scheduled for July 14th, and supports their new album, Below, which is out now through Red Bull Records. Check out a trailer for the event here.
Canadian metal festival Loud As Hell is making its return this summer, July 30th through August 1st, basically a month following the easing of restrictions. The lineup is still to come, which is kind of gnarly considering this is only a month away. Either way, weekend passes are available here for those interested.
Finnish black metal project Azazel have announced September 24th as the release date for Aegrus Satanas Tecum. That marks the third full-length effort, which will be out through Primitive Reaction. Check out the new track, “Demons Attack the Nun’s Chapel”, right here.
And we’ll wrap up Monday with the new video from Brzask, for “In the Forest of Karkonosze”. Pretty sure that’s a standalone single? Not sure. But if you want some more black metal in your day, have at it.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Cannibal Corpse, Khandra, Lamb of God, and More

March 24, 2021March 24, 2021Corey1 Comment

Why do I feel like WordPress regularly changes a bunch of shit just for the sake of it?

Cannibal Corpse released a new track and it is absolutely vicious. “Murderous Rampage” can be streamed here, and I’ll also take this time to remind everyone that Violence Unimagined is out on April 16th through Metal Blade Records. Obligatory pre-order link.
Khandra, the black metal project out of Belarus, has announced a new album. All Occupied by Sole Death will be out on May 28th through Season of Mist Underground Activists, and you can listen to the first single, “Irrigating Lethal Acres with Blood”, right now. I’m entertained by… all of this.
We Came As Romans have an anniversary livestream, To Plant A Seed, scheduled for April 23rd. They’ll be performing that 2009 release in full, and merch bundles for the event include a vinyl box set. Cool. Scoop up your tickets and swag here.
Lamb of God released a quarantine video of “Routes”, featuring Chuck Billy (Testament). That’s a track taken from their self-titled album, of which a deluxe version is officially available later this week. Side note: credit to Willie Adler for rocking the Tigers lid.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Fight The Fight, Oceans Of Slumber, Fates Warning, and More

August 25, 2020August 25, 2020CoreyLeave a comment

oceansofslumber2020

I’m ready for a beer or seven.

Fight The Fight dropped another new track from their upcoming sophomore release, Deliverance, which is out September 18th through Blacklight Media Records (North America). This one is called “Ritual” and you can stream it here.
Fates Warning have revealed details behind their next album. Long Day Good Night will be out on November 6th through Metal Blade Records. You can pre-order that one right here. There’s a new track in there as well!
Those SepulQuatra Sessions are always fun, so let’s make sure we catch tomorrow’s edition, which features Alex Skolnick of Testament. There will be a live Q&A as well as a performance of “Vandals Nest”.
Oceans Of Slumber have released the fourth single from their upcoming self-titled new album, which drops on September 4th through Century Media. Check out “To the Sea (A Tolling of the Bells)” immediately below.