the nine circles playlist

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 335 (5.10.2024)

May 11, 2024May 10, 2024ChrisLeave a comment

Let’s face it: Steve Albini was one of the real ones. Beyond the incredible music of Big Black, or Shellac, or so many of his other projects were the incredible records he recorded, produced, or engineered. Never mind all the hype of Nevermind…for me the real Nirvana, the uncaged animal that was that band can be found in the raw power that was Albini’s masterclass that is In Utero. Rest in Peace to one of the mammoths of heavy music; the 335th edition of the Nine Circles Playlist is dedicated to you.

After that there’s new and old delights from the rest of the 9C staff, including Ceremony of Silence, new Sonja, Health, Thot, new Thou, even some hip-hop courtesy the latest Drake/Kendrick beef and some JPEGMAFIA, and because I can’t get enough of his production some Pixies to close us out. Plus more surprises.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 334 (5.4.2024)

May 4, 2024May 3, 2024ChrisLeave a comment

WORMED.

Also, like some Wheel, 1349, Dark Tranquillity, uh, maybe some Dauþuz, Gaerea, something called Castle Rat…some Greet Death, a dash of Agriculture…a tease of Inherits the Void?

I dunno…it’s a whole thing, ya know?

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 333 (4.27.2024)

April 27, 2024April 26, 2024JoshLeave a comment

Happy frickin’ Saturday and welcome to the 333rd edition of our weekly mixtape, aka The Nine Circles Playlist. It’s been an insane few weeks release wise so between that and the nearly infinite possibilities of music picks we’ve got a killer playlist for you here this week. I kick things off with 200 Stab Wounds because…hell yea and an acoustic version of a favorite Periphery song of mine. Spoiler here: I do miss Matt Halpern’s presence behind the kit but this track still rules. Elsewhere, our esteemed team of 9C writers have their own favorites to share which include cuts from Hail Spirit Noir, Alcest, YOB, Zeal and Ardor, Zelenaya, Darkthrone, and a ton more.

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week. Oh, Chris will probably be back next week. He’s off doing metal stuff in case you were wondering.

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— Josh

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 332 (4.20.2024)

April 20, 2024April 20, 2024ChrisLeave a comment

Morning. Depending on your particular predilections, Happy Record Store Day and/or Happy 4-20, man. I guess it could be both (let’s face it, it’s probably both). I’m sitting both out for now as I get ready for a family outing, but in the meantime there’s this new Alcest everyone is crowing about, not to mention the utter obscene amount of good music that just came out from the likes of Couch Slut, DVNE, and High on Fire, to mention a few of the bands I just received physical copies of (not through the site, but through plain old supporting the artist). Oh, and Julie Christmas is coming back with new madness, so prepare your souls!

Our crackerjack team of 9C writers have their own penchants and partialities to share, including sonic riches from Fractal Generator, Hippotraktor and Celeste; a pair of live in the studio cuts from Marriages and Now, Now; more killer cuts from recent releases by the likes of Hekseblad, Atræ Bilis, and Ingested and a lot more. All that and we’re closing out with the return of the mighty Whores. No doubt that one is going to make a few of our EOY lists (me and Josh, at least).

Get listening. Stay safe. See you next week.

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– Chris

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 331 (4.13.2024)

April 13, 2024April 12, 2024ChrisLeave a comment

We’re back, post-total eclipse of the ~~heart~~ sun and I’ve been riding a cloud of hellfire since Darkthrone finally released their first single off new album It Beckons Us All coming in just a few short weeks. If nothing else I’m super impressed by Mark Osegueda’s roar on the new Kerry King track (which, yeah…sounds like a LOT like latter day Slayer, but what did you expect?) and this new single track Lascaille’s Shroud album is kicking my ass in the best possible way, and now the 331st edition of the Nine Circles Playlist will kick your ass, too.

The rest of the 9C staff have carefully selected a handful of sharpened metal shards sure to pierce your eardrums in the best way, including tracks from the forthcoming Thou (finally!), Devenial Verdict, Infestus, Ulcerate and Blaze of Perdition; classic cuts from Yob and Devin Townsend; new Within Temptation and Ou (featuring Devi on vocals and production), and even some Willie Nelson (with Orville Peck).