the halo effect – Nine Circles

Scholar of the First Sin: Hera’s Best of 2022 — The Outliers (Honorable Mentions)

December 20, 2022December 20, 2022HeraLeave a comment

EOY list season is upon us, which means that many will be scrambling to put together lists that are both cohesive and, objectively, correct. Although I knew that 2022 might not be able to compete with 2021’s sheer musical quantity, 2022 had more quality releases. It’s gotten to the point where I now have an entire separate list of albums just to catch up with.

It’s also one of the many reasons why I have decided to expand the honorable mentions list, as I found myself with 28 albums that I had enjoyed but didn’t know what to do with them. After somewhat coming to terms with the 20 I want to officially present in my planned EOY list, I decided that these eight deserved some words from me, as I, once again, have a lot to say.

It’s time to touch the painting sitting in Anor Londo.

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CANTO: Lamb of God, Dream Unending, Mystic Circle, and More

October 7, 2022October 7, 2022CoreyLeave a comment

Today was weird. But it’s also Friday. So I guess everything is fine!

So I haven’t listened to this yet, but since it’s an Ihsahn remix, I can only assume it’s significantly better. Here is a fresh version of “Shadowminds” from The Halo Effect.
Dream Unending are releasing Song of Salvation on November 11th through 20 Buck Spin, and today they issued an audio sampler for the album. Give that a listen here.
German black metal duo Mystic Circle released a video for a cover of Possessed’s “Death Metal”. That was a bonus track from their self-titled album, which dropped in early 2022 through Atomic Fire. I never actually listened to that one. Maybe I should…
Sunn O))) have announced tour dates in December and January (mostly), with Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley performing as Shoshin (初心) Duo in its original form. Tickets are on sale now, and this should be absolutely wild.
Omens, the latest album from the legendary Lamb of God, is officially out today. To mark the occasion, check out the new clip for “Ditch” below. As a reminder, that album is out through Epic Records.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 246 (8.27.2022)

August 27, 2022August 27, 2022ChrisLeave a comment

This week Mastodon released a 90-minute documentary detailing the creation of our combined favorite album of 2021 (not to mention my personal favorite) so I’m leaving it to others to populate the playlist this week, lest you get nothing but the fearsome foursome in here.

(I might add a track or two, anyway. Prerogative of the writer, and all that)

Lots of good stuff on tap this week, including a new track from masters of metalcore Botch, new music from Tribal Gaze, The Halo Effect, Russian Circles, Devil’s Witches and Guapa (one to definitely watch out for). There’s also plenty of classics if that’s more your taste, including killer cuts from Twisted Sister, Running Wild, and Praying Mantis, a band I haven’t heard in FOREVER so thanks, Buke! All that and more…plus some Mastodon, of course.

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Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

Second Circle: Boris and The Halo Effect

August 9, 2022August 9, 2022Chris1 Comment

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

Good things come in threes…or is that celebrity deaths? Let’s go with the former, since despite being relatively skeptical of all things mystic and supernatural I don’t want to put out any bad karma and hear that tomorrow there’s a pile up and we lost whoever was on the most recent season of The Celebrity Dating Game. Instead for this edition of Second Circle let’s take a look at the latest from Boris, who this week release their third entry in their Heavy Rocks series, and The Halo Effect, who solve the equation of In Flames + Dark Tranquillity on their debut.

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Initial Descent: August 7 – 13, 2022

August 8, 2022August 5, 2022JoshLeave a comment

Shorter new metal list than usual this week. I guess everyone decided to take a quick breather? No idea really, but we’ve still got some quality gems to uncover from The Halo Effect, Boris, Grotesqueries, Arch Enemy, and a handful of others. In other words, the list may be short but it has girth. As always, happy hunting and if your band or label wants to be included in an upcoming edition of this here post, hit us up at the email found on our about page and include the pertinent information. I know that sounds elementary, but you’d be surprised. Enjoy and we’ll see you here throughout the week.

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