transcending obscurity – Nine Circles

Second Circle: Memoriam and Ashen Horde

February 1, 2023January 31, 2023ChrisLeave a 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.

Looks like purple’s gonna be the theme for this edition of Second Circle. Although you could also easily say the theme is killer metal not enough folks are talking about. Anyway you wanna slice it, we’re here to drop some knowledge about the latest offerings from Memoriam and Ashen Horde, so turn that volume knob clockwise until it stops, limber up and get ready to bang that head.

Bring it on.

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Initial Descent: January 22 – 28, 2023

January 23, 2023January 21, 2023JoshLeave a comment

Just as is always the case and as I predicted here a few weeks back: all the resolution type gym goers are starting to whittle down to pre-January numbers. The cycle is unbroken. Now, I’m not judging…just situational awareness and circling back on my prediction is all. Let’s do the thing you all came for and that’s this week’s new release list. Bay Area deathdealers Conjureth offer up their sophomore effort of classic leaning, but oh so deadly death metal, Seven Doors which is a one man horror obsessed death machine is up next with an album loaded to the cerebral cortex with both of those things, black metal gets a swift kick in the pants from Ashen Horde, and Cancervo serve up some damn tasty doom with a side of fuzz. But, there’s a smorgasbord of albums in the list below that are worth seeking out so use that copy / paste feature and happy hunting. See you here throughout the week.

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Album Review: Leper Colony — “Leper Colony”

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023IanLeave a comment

Ah, that “first review of a new year” smell. There’s nothing quite like it, and I’m so happy to be back amongst this merry band of characters for another year in metal. Perhaps there’s something ironic about looking forward to the year ahead by worshiping the past, but hey: old school death metal worship seems to be particularly trendy at this point, so it makes sense that there are a ton of bands on the scene who are looking to make good on the circular nature of heavy metal music. Enter Leper Colony and their debut album…well, Leper Colony.

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Initial Descent: January 8 – 14, 2022

January 9, 2023January 4, 2023JoshLeave a comment

Who has already broken the horse of 2023? I know, it’s still early but you know what they say…early bird gets the worm. Enough motivation, let’s get to it. As predicted, the new metal releases have multiplied quickly so we’re just about back to full steam ahead with a multitude of ways to empty your wallet. This week we’ve got a return from the mighty doom tyrants Ahab, Moonlight Sorcery is back already to scratch your symphonic black metal itch, then we’ve got two delicious death metal efforts from Obituary and Leper Colony, and many more in the list below to sink your teeth into. All that and we aren’t done with list season, so stay tuned for that and happy new release hunting. See you here throughout the week.

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CANTO: Ensiferum, Oceanhoarse, Sequestrum, and More

December 19, 2022December 19, 2022CoreyLeave a comment

Today was exhausting, yet productive!

Ensiferum have announced the “Seafearer’s Dream” European headlining tour next March and April. It’s a shorter run, only including 10 dates, with local support on each date. So if you happen to be on the other side of the Atlantic early next year, have at it.
Sequestrum, the death grind unit out of Copenhagen, unleashed “Preserved to Last”. Give that a listen over at Decibel. That’s the first single off of their debut EP, Pickled Preservation, which drops on January 27 through Extremely Rotten Productions.
Sludge doom band 71TonMan are following last year’s EP with Of End Times, which is officially out on March 3 through Transcending Obscurity Records. There are a couple of tracks already streaming over on their Bandcamp, and they are heavy. Give em a listen and get pummeled.
This goes back a couple of days, but news is slow this time of year. Oceanhoarse revealed a new lyric video for “Carved in Stone”, a track taken from Heads Will Roll. That can be viewed below, and the album drops on February 17 through Noble Demon.