zealotry

Best of 2018: Zyklonius’ List

Zyklonius3 Comments

EOY 2018 Header 9C

Ah, 2018. What an absurd, exhausting and often infuriating ride you were, with death as my ubiquitous companion and co-pilot. You entailed on one hand a near-cataclysmic series of loved ones dying around me in rapid succession, while on the other, an ever-flowing stream of metal that helped make that maelstrom somehow survivable and acceptable for yours truly.

As you, the well-informed reader, likely noticed during the course of the year, and will see again when you read further below, 2018 was a banner year for death metal of all colors and shapes, but most and especially for the boundary-pushing kind that redefines and reconfigures the entire genre. Another type of metal that really resonated with me was one of transcendence and catharsis, of dreamlike journey, cosmic marvel and triumphant rebirth. Overall, the vast array of diverse evolutionary pathways, latest career pinnacles, and dazzling artistic growth and achievement in the field of metal was a compelling sight to behold and a wondrous thing to experience.

As further proof of the excellent and exciting state of metal today, albums worthy of inclusion in the below list continued to be released until the very final days of the year, resulting in perhaps the strongest December release-wise in recent memory.

With this succinct backdrop in mind, I offer the following 23 releases as a tribute to goddess Eris. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: December 2 – 8, 2018

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Graf Orlock
Graf Orlock

Sickness sucks. I’ve been fighting a damn cold for what feels like an eternity and it just won’t quit. YAY ME. Ugh. But, you know what makes me feel better? Hey WHAT, you don’t care?! FINE. But, I’m saying it anyway because I can: new metal makes me feel better and there’s another heaping load of it this week so let’s hop to it, shall we…

Graf Orlock, who define DIY hardcore punk these days, returns with their fourth full length (and 11th release overall) Examination of Violent Cinema, Volume 1 which features inspiration from, you guessed it, violent films released in 2017 and autopsied corpse packaging but really it’s another notch in the belt of a band that defines its own genre in 2018. Viscera/// return with a quick hitter EP in the form of City of Dope and Violence and it’s a twisted rail of hardcore, sludge and experimentation but a fast trip you’ll want to take. Svartidauði have been through a whirlwind of life happenings in their short existence but that didn’t stop them from releasing a stunning sophomore effort of epic black metal on Revelations of the Red Sword. Last up top this week is the labyrinthine maze of progressive / technical death metal from Zealotry on At the Nexus of All Stillborn Worlds which is the band’s maiden voyage for Unspeakable Axe, perfect fit.

After that opening four I’m already feeling better. Thanks for your concern…or not. Anyway, you know what to do next. GO. NOW. Continue reading →

The Nine Circles Playlist Vol. 57 (11.24.2018)

VincentLeave a comment

playlist - mixtape

I AM THE CAPTAIN NOW.

In less threatening words, hello readers!  You might recognize me as your drinking buddy, who brings you album and beer pairings every Friday that I am not infected with E. Coli.  Since I’ve been focusing on writing shorter reviews for the site this year, I’ve been thinking of more ways I can contribute outside of long-form writing.  Our weekly mixtape is one of my favorite things we’ve added to the site; it’s fun to be able to give our readership a kind of behind the scenes look at what we’re all jamming in our spare time without the necessity of deadlines shaping our listening habits.  So, I staged a coup-de-grace and snatched control of the column away from our editor, but in a nice way that actually helps him, because Josh is a very busy man.  Thanks to him for being gracious in defeat, and to you for reading this.  I hope you find something good to jam out to here, and if not, there’s always next week.  Enjoy Volume 57, friends.

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– Vincent

Best of 2016, Q2: Manny-O-War’s List

Manny-O-War1 Comment

nine circles

Well, here we are again. Another three months past and I am still raving (maybe raging?) about what a ridiculously solid year this has been for metal. Yet, I sit here attempting to include metal that is technically going to be released in the third quarter. You think Blood Incantation isn’t going to end up on year end lists? Ryan Page of A.M.S.G. totally blew the doors off his production formula and his 2016 release will be battling it out among the top candidates as well.  Further, Brooklyn-based Anicon are set to release their debut (which kills). Over in the prog world, Fates Warning, after working hard for over thirty years will soon put out what might be their best album to date. So, this year is bonkers. And lest we forget the upcoming Inter Arma release… So strap in! Continue reading →

Nine Circles Ov… April 2016

Manny-O-War1 Comment
April 2016 Metal
Photograph by our Dæmoness of Design, Jaci Raia. For more of her beautiful work follow her on Instagram or Twitter.

April was another insane month in what is fast becoming the greatest year in death metal in recent history. Some stellar releases include, Ihsahn, a debut LP from Nucleus, an LP from Moonsorrow, an absolute fire-breathing ripper from Swedish D-Beat legends Victims, an EP from experimental black metallers Lord Mantis, some traditional heavy metal from Occult Burial, UK purveyors of doom Allfather, some exciting black metal from Greek band Kawir, an LP from tech death metal legends Aborted, some progressive black metal from Holws of Ebb, some super cerebral black metal from Goetic Equivalent and whatever that genius Dalek release is. It’s going to be a really, really great year. Continue reading →