Discovering and giving exposure to brand new artists is one of the greatest privileges when it comes to writing about music. And when a fantastic musician you're already familiar with announces something completely new, it's hard not to set your expectations high. With Weft and debut LP The Splintered Oar (Bindrune Recordings) I can say with confidence that these expectations were not only met, but surpassed. Best known to the metal world as the live and session violinist for the almighty Panopticon, Charlie Anderson's debut album with his first solo project is a tremendous amalgamation of black, prog, and death metal with some beautiful folk passages to top it all off in a fresh and unique fashion.In anticipation of The Splintered Oar's release next month Charlie was generous enough to chat with me about his influences and the musical journey to get here, the incredible musicians he worked with on this album, and more. Grab a cozy beverage, sit down, and enjoy! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Joining together the righteous forces of Obsequiae and Inexorum for some Gothenburg-style melodeath throwback, it's been nearly two and a half years since the release of Majesties' debut album Vast Reaches Unclaimed (20 Buck Spin) and it's still a favorite amongst some of us here at Nine Circles. A follow-up may not (yet) be upon us, but myself and a couple others had the utmost privilege of catching their incredible live debut at this year's Fire in the Mountains festival on the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. I had asked the core trio of Tanner, Carl Skildum, and Matt Kirkwold if they were down for an interview at some point during the festival; naturally it's hard to arrange such a meeting with no cell service and schedules all over the place (not to mention not wanting to miss a ton of killer bands), but Tanner and I were able to set aside some time to record on the shore of Two Medicine Lake right near the festival grounds. We discussed how the show went, nerded out about classic melodic extreme metal (a lot), and more. Check back in the not-too-distant future as more from Majesties is on the horizon!HUGE thanks to Tanner for the time and audio assist! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Another year down -- okay, another year and a couple of weeks, give or take -- and that means another whole buttload of new music released in genres other than our beloved metal. Just sit with that for a second and ponder. There was punk! There was indie! There was shoegaze! And that's just in the rock sub-categories. What about jazz? Hip-hop? Electronic?"Whoa. I need to sit down for a minute," you're thinking to yourself. No you don't, you big dummy! Dan and Chris have you covered!Well, okay, they couldn't -- and, to be fair, don't -- even pretend to have you fully covered on all the myriad 2024 things that weren't metal. But bless their hearts, they do try on this, their... fifth or sixth annual end-of-year NON-metal podcast. It's a wide-ranging, two-plus-hour convo about all the best stuff they listened to from outside the heavy realm. Wanna catch up with 'em? Grab a (+/-) alcoholic beverage of your choice and get listening! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Once again the gang comes forth with candidates, this time under the watchful gaze of Ian. But although strong arguments were put forth for the raw black metal conceptual piece by Ungfell, the morose progressive post-doom of Crippled Black Phoenix, and whatever insane caterwauling The Body did in the month of American Thanksgiving and apocalyptic elections, the rose could only be gifted to one. And that one was Hera with her pick of Thy Catafalque and their progressive world stew that is the unwieldy titled XII: A Gyönyörü Álmok Ezután Jönnek, which I’m sure is fantastic since I pre-ordered the vinyl but in all honestly haven’t had time to listen to it yet.But that’s okay because the crew talked about it and a lot more, so unwrap your audio gift and check out what else the group was listening to in November! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
The Nine Circles Audio Thing is back with our Album of the Month for October!Once again the gang comes forth with candidates, this time under the watchful gaze of Angela. But although strong arguments were put forth for the avant-black metal of Doedsmaghird, the exploratory and modern melodic black metal of Gaerea, and the ripping, quite possibly AOTY contender Blood Incantation the rose could only be gifted to one. And that one was Chris with his pick of Chat Pile and their sledgehammer classic in the making Cool World, which ups the ambition and stands as the voice for the rage and raw pain of a global space far greater than their native Oaklahoma. Dig into the feast and also check out what else the group was listening to in October! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
The Nine Circles Audio Thing is back with our Album of the Month for September!Once again the gang comes forth with candidates, this time under the baleful glare of Hera. But although strong arguments were put forth for the Brazilian prog of Papangu, the icy cold black metal of Marrow of Man, the might return of melodic death metal giants The Black Dahlia Murder, and the woeful fragile beauty of 40 Watt Sun the rose could only be gifted to one. And that one was Angela with her pick of Alunah and their fantastic new album Fever Dream, which isn't afraid to mix some Skynrd and flute in with their specific brand of stoner doom.This one runs long (sorry, too much going on for a proper edit!), so dig into the feast and also check out what else the group was listening to in September! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
A month to the day the Nine Circles Audio Thing is back with our Album of the Month for August!The staff approached, their pitiful, mewling offerings raised with trembling hands in full view of the gnarled stonework to vie for the attentions and affections of the new Judge. But despite Hera's impassioned plea for the acidic sludge post metal of Norna, Angela's sadly tossed asides poetics to the virtue of black metal chameleons Zeal & Ardor, Colin's progressive medieval circus ride that is the latest from Sur Austru and Ian's gleeful presentation of the blackened speed thrash attack of Demiser the Demiser's Demiser the rose could only be gifted to one. And that one was Chris, who revelled in the hyper-glitchy grind punk noise rock of Melt-Banana, back with their first album in 11 years 3+5, a blizzard of wonder that races by in only 24 minutes.The gang gets in deep, with lots of talk about vocal tics and tremors, the increasingly silly labelling and confining our notions of what constitutes "heavy" or "extreme", and whether we can all kill Hera if we make her listen to enough thrash metal. There's also a lot of talk about what else we listened to in August, including a way too long conversation about how positively limp and punched in the long awaited(?) Time II from Wintersun is...you've been warned! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
It may be a week or so later than we intended but – as promised – the Nine Circles Audio Thing is back with our Album of the Month for July!Candidates were offered up on the gnarled stonework that is the 9C dais, and despite strong arguments by Ian for the storming dissonant fretwork of Occulta Veritas, Colin’s impassioned please for the frigid and beautiful Finnish black metal of Autumnfall, and Dan’s out in the wilds remote pitch for the all guns blazing power metal of Orden Ogan, only one could wear the mantle of Album of the Month. As this month’s presiding Host and Arbiter of Metal Justice (and therefore the only one without a candidate to proffer), Chris got on one knee and handed the rose to Vince and his pitch for the ever evolving and mutating gothic black metal post-punk emo warmth of Vuur & Zijde and their debut full length Boezem (Prophecy Productions).Lots of ground covered, as the gang gets into the difference between blending genres together as opposed to letting them sit haphazardly side by side, the love of a good warm muffled thump in your production, as well as the merits of forging new ground vs. flawless execution of a tried and true formula. We talk about the similarities between black and power metal, and three of us even geek out royally (sorry, Colin!) over 70s era Genesis…and that’s before we get into what else we’ve been listening to in the month of July! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
It's been a hot minute, but the gang returns along with a new intro to celebrate the return of the Nine Circles Audio Thing! We're going to get back into the Album of the Month starting with July, but for now Chris returns to the mic for the first time in forever to gather the crew and talk about a few select highlights from the first six months of the year. Colin, Vince, Ian, Hera and...holy shit, DAN?! Yup, it's a full crew at the ready and madness is had, whether it's risking Swiftian armies or generally squealing with delight over some very, very good metal this year.Variety abounds as the crew gets into it, talking about Dödsrit, Inherits the Void, Ulcerate, Chapel of Disease, Job For A Cowboy, Alcest, Pallbearer, Hamferð, AWS, Thot, Ryujin, Aborted, Hammer King, Lascaille's Shroud, Farsot, and Lord Dying.No spoilers for the anticipated albums, and only a short tease about the new AOTM format moving forward, but it's a blast to be back so grab your favorite beverage, put on those headphones and dig in. See you next month! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Of all the death metal currently burbling in the cauldrons of 20 Buck Spin, SLIMELORD might be one of the most peculiar...and that's saying a lot!Mixing vicious cavernous death metal with forward thinking technicality and hints of psychedelia in their brutal attack, the band released their debut full length Chytridiomycosis Relinquished in March. Guitarist Alexander Bradley sat down with Nine Circles to talk about the new album, the shift in direction from the technical thrash of Bradley's other band Cryptic Shift to the more filthy strains of SlimeLord, his love of From Software video games and their influence on his lyrics, and much more.A lot of ground is covered in just over 30 minutes, so be sure to check out the conversation and grab yourself a copy of what is sure to be one of the most talked about releases come end of year time! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
What do you get when you combine members of Generation of Vipers, A Storm of Light and Intronaut, then get their collective creative juices flowing about, well... a lot of really heavy shit? (Think global warming, AI, the slow decay of human society in real time... you know! Fun stuff!)Well, you get GUILTLESS! (And also, you get one hell of a heavy listen.)Back in February, the intranational quartet released their new EP, Thorns, via Neurot Recordings, and Buke sat down with guitarist Josh Graham to learn a bit more about it. Throughout their conversation, the duo chat about the band's origins, how they came to work with Neurot, and the long debate they had over whether to release Thorns as an EP or try to stretch it into a full-length. Then, as tends to happen in conversations like these, things diverge. They talk about Graham's "day job" in design, and the increasing creep of AI into his livelihood. They talk about a harsh lesson Graham learned about the music business while performing in an industrial band in high school. They even trade GWAR stories!It's a short and sweet (by our standards), yet still wide-ranging conversation that you won't want to miss. Check it out! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Hard to believe it’s been a decade since Job For A Cowboy graced us with Sun Eater yet here we are on the eve of Moon Healer (Metal Blade) and we couldn’t be more stoked for it if we tried. This band occupies a special spot for most of here on staff as they exemplify our varied tastes in death metal and all things extreme. With this album that statement couldn't be more true as it is wildly all over the map yet cohesive and heavy as lead at the same time. Ian screamed the loudest when the news dropped of a new album so it was the obvious choice to get him on with our podcast maestro Buke to discuss all things Job For A Cowboy with bassist Nick Schendzielos. The guys cover the obvious items but as per usual they cover a whole lot more so get comfy and settle in for a spell. Enjoy. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
It’s a well known fact that Vitriol slap, as they say. But did you know that they are one of a very few and select bands pushing death metal to new heights? That’s kind of a rhetorical question…more of a fact tidbit for you than anything since their latest effort Suffer & Become (Century Media) is somehow better than anything they’ve touched to date and blows everything out of the water thus far this year. Fitting it is that this album lands at our collective Album of the Month pick and also fitting that it was pretty much unanimous for those in attendance for this chat as well as those absent for this chat. No spoilers beyond the obvious though so you’ll need to grab a piece of floor or something comfy and kick back while we embellish on this album as well as several other highlights from the month and of course all the other places we meander to during these things. Dive in and enjoy. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Yep, we’re strongly and firmly in 2024 annnnd late with this by just a bit. But hey, you guys know that‘s our way by now and if not, now you do. Anyway, 2023 was huge for metal and if you’ve followed along on the site, we’ve all plastered our picks for you to peruse, enjoy, and maybe find something new or a nugget you missed. We love list season and that’s whay our normal cast of fam (Angela, Hera, Ian, Colin, and Vincent) led by our MC Buke got together to put the proverbial nail in the “Best of 2023” coffin once and for all. As usual the discussion is all over the place and fun was had by all. With that said, grab a seat or a piece of floor, your favorite beverage, and enjoy! We are already looking forward to doing this again in 2024. Oh and a big THANK YOU is on order from all of us to all of you for visiting and listening, we really do appreciate it! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Welcome back everyone! As is customary this time of year, our resident NOT-metal heads, Dan and Chris, are back to discuss their favorite music of 2023. Tune in for a sprawling, but not overly rambly discussion of all things NOT-metal, including country, jazz, Canadian punk, and everywhere in-between!Timecodes:(00:00) - Introduction(04:18) - Shared Picks / "Top Two"(16:50) - Chris: "We're in the Rock category"(28:54) - Dan: Punk(35:39) - Chris: "Just Left of Rock"(46:15) - Dan: Country(53:46) - Chris: "We've moved off the Rock Highway"(1:06:50) - Dan: Pop (in its various guises)(1:21:44) - Chris: "I'm Lost" (Off the Rock Highway, Pt. II)(1:31:19) - Dan: The "Don't Get My Own Category"s(1:39:57) - Honorable Mentions(1:50:19) - New Old Music of 2023 (Chris)(1:54:23) - New Old Music of 2023 (Dan)(1:58:12) - Closing ThoughtsArtists and Albums Discussed:Jason Isbell - WeathervanesThe Dirty Nil - Free Rein to PassionsJeff Rosenstock - HELLMODEOsees - Intercepted MessageThe Damned - DarkedelicUriah Heep - Chaos & ColourBrutal Youth - Rebuilding YearFucked Up - One DaySweeping Promises - Good Living is Coming for YouMike Keneally - The Thing That Knowledge Can't EatParamore - This is WhyMargo Price - StraysLucero - Should've Learned By NowSufjan Stevens - JavelinLana del Rey - Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd?Everything But the Girl - FuseBlonde Redhead - Sit Down for DinnerCaroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into YouJessie Ware - That! Feels Good!Gunship - UnicornDisclosure - AlchemySZA - SOSSunwatchers - Music is Victory Over TimeThe Reds, Pinks and Purples - The Town that Cursed Your NameQuestlove, David Murray & Ray Angry - PlumbParannoul - After the MagicGrave Pleasures - PlagueboysRodrigo y Gabriela - In Between Thoughts... A New WorldBeach Fossils - BunnyDanny Brown - QuarantaDOMi & JD Beck - NOT TiGHT (2022)Owane - yeah whatever (2018); Chapter One: Shredemption [w/ Jack Gardiner] (2021) 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
Welcome back one and all to the final AOTM (Album of the Month) pick discussion for 2023 with Panopticon’s The Rime of Memory (Bindrune Recordings). It’s safe to assume our regular readers, and listeners, know our feelings on Panopticon at this point but to cut to the chase, we love the project and everything that has come from it. And The Rime of Memory is no different, hence why it ended up here in this discussion. We won‘t spoil any of the actual chat though so hit that play button to hear all about it as well as a follow up discussion on everything else that stuck out during the month of November. All that and a ton more is covered so grab a drink - or twelve - and settle in for the long haul. Enjoy! Oh and we’ll see you next month…ish for the Best of 2023 chat. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
By now, and as one of 20 Buck Spin’s longest running acts, the death metal institution Vastum needs zero intro from us, or you for that matter. Album number five, Inward To Gethsemane, continues the stomach churning filthiness they’ve so readily displayed but this time the songwriting and delivery has some incredible punch to it. The band has been long time favorites of most of us on staff but none moreso than our very own Buke who got the opportunity to chat with guitarist, vocalist, and synth master Leila Abdul Rauf and vocalist Daniel Butler about the album, some band history, and tons of other stuff along the way. Needless to say he was excited, as we are to bring you this conversation so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. Huge thanks to Leila and Daniel for their time!9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
This was the first time of 2023 that we picked a favorite the fastest and the most solidified. We've all been fans of Wayfarer's Wild West black metal since their debut and with American Gothic (Profound Lore) this love has grown deeper. It's a fantastic album but I'm sure by now you already know this so we won't bore you with frivolity here. The fam got together with our man on the mic, Buke, to discuss this album, why it's our collective favorite of the month, other albums that grabbed our attention and should have your attention as well, and a ton of other stuff is covered. Fun was had by all as the convo went literally all over the place so grab a comfy seat, your preferred beverage, and enjoy. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
For anyone following along in the Nine Circles universe, it comes as no surprise that Autarkh is a huge favorite pretty much across the board. Form In Motion was, and still is, very high on our revisit list as it was unlike anything out there in the metal spectrum at the time. Progressive, epic, monumental, challenging are but some of the words to describe that first effort but even those barely scratch the surface. And now, they’re back with their sophomore outing, Emergent (Season of Mist), and yet again will change the face of metal as we know it. Anton and Buke were both ecstatic when presented with the opportunity to chat with 75% of the band (Michele Nienhuis (vocals, guitars), Tijnn Verbruggen (synths, beats), and Desmond Kuijk (bass)) for the second time and wasted no time getting into the new album, what’s been going on since they last spoke, and so much more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. Huge thanks to Michele, Tijnn, and Desmond for their time!9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky
One might think that with an album name such as Drudge To The Thicket (Profound Lore), California’s Fabricant plays around with sludgy doom. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth as this debut is squarely in the death metal camp and is technical throughout, brutal at times, charred around the edges, and savvy beyond its years. So yea, you need to get in on this while things are getting off the ground floor. Buke recently chatted with lead guitarist and vocalist Troy Roberts about the new album, some band history, a stint in Mefitis, and a whole bunch more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. Huge thanks to Troy for his time!9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky