wolves in the throne room

CANTO: Domination Festival, Rocklahoma, Wolves in the Throne Room, and More

CoreyLeave a comment

wolvesinthethroneroom.2.17.18.63-4122

I want a new camera. Just because.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: In Flames, Fire in the Mountains, At The Gates, and More

CoreyLeave a comment

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On a Friday? In this economy?

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

Nine Circles ov…”Fixing” The Metal Hammer 40 Best Black Metal Albums…Ever?

Chris1 Comment

fixing black metal

* 8/29 mea culpa: After some robust discussion online I’ve added a new paragraph addressing in part the thorny issue of including “problematic bands” in a list such as this.  Providing proper context is always important, and I failed to do that.  The fault is mine, and I hope the added commentary helps clarify the choices made.

Ah, social media…where would we complain and spit our vitriol over “Best Of” lists if we didn’t have you? Last week’s ire in a buttercup came from Metal Hammer‘s list of “The 40 Best Black Metal Albums Ever” — a post that at its heart really just outlined 40 really good to great albums influential to the genre over the course of three decades. Compiled and with commentary by Dayal Patterson, a man that knows a thing or two about black metal, the article (I’m guessing titled by parent company Louder/Future Pic to generate more clicks — successfully) instead served as fodder for other sites to call out and complain over as well as get the always sensible metal community to froth at the mouth over what was and wasn’t on a list that in all reality serves as a pretty nice introduction to the early evolution of a now expansive and diverse genre.

Well, for this edition of Nine Circles ov…. we show that we’re not above our own cheap commentary, even if it’s at our own expense…   Continue reading →

CANTO: Kvelertak, Behemoth, Tengger Cavalry and more!

DanLeave a comment

 

kvelertak

I had two tests today, and I’m basically brain dead. This will be short. Here goes:

  • Leading off, Kvelertak frontman Erlend Hjelvik announced his departure from the band this morning. I’m bummed. Wasn’t nuts about 2016’s Nattesferd, of course, but those first two albums are still gold — plus, Erlend was a big part of what made these guys so great in a live setting. We’ll see what happens from here.

  • Behemoth announced its fall Ecclesia Diabolica North America tour, with support from At the Gates and Wolves in the Throne Room. Kinda feels like the Carcass / Deafheaven / Inter Arma trek a few years back; I’m here for all these guys, but none of them really make a ton of sense with the others? Oh well.

  • Apparently, Tengger Cavalry is back together, and has a new song out called “Heart” out. Cool?

  • More tour dates! Obscura, Beyond Creation, Archspire and good gawd, y’all, I need to be at this show. September 27 at Voltage Lounge, I’m comin’ for ya.

  • Decibel announced a couple of more bands for the forthcoming West Coast edition of its annual Metal and Beer Fest. Joining the ranks now are The Black Dahlia Murder, Khemmis and Trappist. It’s not a competition, but…so far, this version’s beating the Philly one pretty handily.

  • And finally, we’ve got one left over from the weekend: Philly hardcore crew Jesus Piece dropped a new tune that the kids might describe as “flames.” Check out “Neuroprison” below:

The band’s new album, Only Self, will be out August 24 via Southern Lord. Pre-orders are available on both Bandcamp, as well as the label’s website. That’ll do it for now — check back soon for more!

Keep it heavy,
Dan

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 45 (6.18.2018)

ChrisLeave a comment

NINE-CIRCLES_LOGO-Light Background_SQUARE

In the next few days the solstice will arrive, marking the longest day of the year before making its inexorable tread back to darkness.  So why not listen to some of the music the Nine Circles staff have been blasting in an increasingly futile attempt to impose some semblance of order into our chaotic lives? There’s a mix of a number of different sounds this week, running from hardcore and black metal to country and whatever we’re classifying Zeal & Ardor these days (besides excellent).

Grab a beverage, make sure your sunglasses are snug, and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel here so you can treasure these playlists forever like a parent with severe attachment issues.  As a creepy dude on an island once said, “Be seeing you.”   Continue reading →