The Nine Circles Audio Thing

Metal Blade Records has been a household name for metal, and heavier music in general, lovers for longer than some of you listening to this podcast have been alive. Founder, owner, and CEO Brian Slagel had a vision back in 1982 with the first of the Metal Massacre compilation series, to highlight, then, unknown heavy artists. This led to the beginnings of Metal Blade Records and a long standing relationship with fans all across the globe. This week marks the XV edition of the Metal Massacre series as the label nears 40 years in existence, and remains a dominant force in metal and beyond.

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with Brian on the label and its history, Brian's first book and making of a second, Blacklight Media, the label's exceptional PR team and plenty of back office label stuff. They also get into a somewhat recent partnership with Violent Gentlemen which led into a major discussion on hockey as well as Brian's Stanley Cup pick. This is an excellent discussion, so jump in and enjoy.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

You know how this works...team members take turns picking their favorite album of the month and In Transmission (Metal Blade Records and Blacklight Media) was Ian's pick. This album was pretty much an instant hit, all the way around the back office, as soon as Ian announced it and it has only grown closer and closer to the heart as time has passed. It's an incredibly vicious album but with a deeply emotional soul to it through hardcore, sludge, a touch of punk, and an amazing vocalist that casts a huge presence. There's plenty of back and forth on just how good this album is, the dual label release, Capra's energy and insane talent throughout, and whether anyone can actually pick just one favorite track. Following that is a roundhouse of "what else tripped our triggers in April" and a wide array of personal achievements since our last album pick.

All this and so much more as we dive head first into our fourth AOTM for 2021!  So jump in and get an earful!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Another round of Technically Inclined! This time out, Dan and Buke dig into The Faceless, and their second album, Planetary Duality.

Planetary Duality came out in 2008 on Sumerian Records, and has since become a well-loved gem within the tech death landscape. It's too bad Dan thought The Faceless played deathcore and never listened to it until just this week!

So, how'd the album land with Nine Circles' resident tech-noob? You'll have to listen to find out! And stick around for brief tangents into Mortal Kombat, Maryland Deathfest, and more!

---

THE FACELESS LINKS: Listen to Planetary Duality | Facebook | Metal-Archives

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Ageless Oblivion just broke a seven year hiatus with the outstanding Suspended Between Earth and Sky. This, their third full length, sees the band's sound veer further towards the ominously atmospheric side of death metal than their last outing, Penthos. This is an album that is as vicious as it is dark and as dense as it is vast. Put in other words, a truly excellent album for death metal fans and beyond.

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with David about...literally anything and everything. Things open with a discussion of Penthos and how the band has honed their sound since then. Once the gears get moving they discuss technical death metal and how Neurosis has helped to evolve their sound, David's excitement on release day, the band's desire for a more focused album this time out, and the current state of the UK metal scene from Davids' point of view and a video tie in to Celestial Sanctuary. And from there the chat evolves into British history and food, chess, and a 2021 forecast for the band.  This is a great discussion, so jump in and enjoy. 

Suspended Between Earth and Sky is available now on Apocalyptic Witchcraft.  For more information on Ageless Oblivion, visit their Facebook page.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Mount Carcass is the latest from German death metal merchants Endseeker, and it dives deep into that classic old school sound pioneered by the likes of Entombed, Carnage, and Dismember.  Sure, it's easy to grab an HM-2 and tune down to Drop B, but Endseeker bring the songwriting chops and vision to not just emulate the old guard but bring their own modern spin to the genre.  The riffs are tight, the groove is firmly in the pockets, and the tone?  Chef's kiss, my friends.    

Our man on the mic Buke took some time to sit down with Endseeker guitarist Ben Liepelt to run the usual Audio Thing gamut of, well...everything.  Things kick off with life for a musician recording an album during lockdown and how the pandemic is still running riot in Europe, but once early influences kick and and the mighty Pantera is mentioned we're off to the races.  It's a great conversation, so settle in for some fun and then make sure to check out Mount Carcass...just be prepared to break some furniture when you hear the hammer smash of songs like "Bloodline" and "Count the Dead" blast from those speakers... 

Mount Carcass is available now on Metal Blade Records.  For more information on Endseeker, visit their website and Facebook page.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Bionic Swarm, the debut from Cryptosis has become an early favorite for many of the staff at Nine Circles.  Jamming together old school thrash, progressive death metal, and a healthy dose of symphonic black metal in its arrangements, it's the kind of debut that instantly slams into your skull and rewires your brain.  

So it's only natural that Buke not only championed the band and album to everyone on the crew, but grabbed some time with bassist Frank te Riet to talk about album.  But this is Buke we're talking about here, so of course the conversation winds its way into a number of interesting places, from the state of metal in the Netherlands, to the shared experience of Slipknot as a gateway to extreme metal, and to how you exactly mountain bike in a place not known for its mountains.  It's a great talk as usual, and combined with the mighty riffs to be found on Bionic Swarm we're 89% sure you'll find your heart's desire tucked away in a drawer in your parent's old house.  Or not - but you'll at least get some fantastic metal and a great chat.

Bionic Swarm is available now on Century Media Records.  For more information on Cryptosis, visit their website and Facebook page.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Welcome back to another edition of Technically Inclined! In Round 3, we took a gander at Quebecois quartet Beyond Creation, and their debut album, The Aura.

Beyond Creation formed in Montreal in 2005 and released The Aura via PRC Music in 2011. (Season of Mist later reissued the album in 2013.) While the album can frustrate at times, it also showcases a (then-)young band with a lot of promise -- promise that the band would go on to fulfill on 2014's Earthbound Evolution and 2018's Algorythm. 

No further spoilers in this here little blurb -- for our full thoughts, you'll have to jump in and take a listen!

---

BEYOND CREATION LINKS: Listen to The Aura | Band Website | Facebook

NINE CIRCLES LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

You know how this works...team members take turns picking their favorite album of the month and Through the Gate Eternal (Boris Records) was Josh's pick. This album fast became a favorite due to its blistering blackened thrash and its self awareness as well as its devilishly on point song titles and nods to the old guard of metal. There's plenty of back and forth on how this album forces involuntary reactions, the South Carolina tie in to Josh, Demiser's energy and insane talent throughout, past points of reference for everyone in the discussion and whether anyone can pick a favorite track. Following that is a roundhouse of "what else tripped our triggers in March" and a teaser, well...spoiler, for our April pick.

All this and so much more as we dive head first into our third AOTM for 2021!  So jump in and get an earful!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Capra has caught lightning in a bottle on their upcoming full length debut In Transmission. It's equal parts metal, punk, and hardcore but the sum is way more than its parts. Blistering riffs, crushing blasts, and obliterating vocals are just some of what the band has to offer across these eleven tracks. It's hostile yet authentic, aggressive and angry yet carries so much depth and feeling and overall is a near perfect debut that fans all over the metal spectrum will unite around.

Just ahead of the album's release, vocalist Crow Lotus took the time to chat with Buke about In Transmission and the length of time it has been ready to roll, the band's larger than life stage presence and missing the opportunity to showcase it, her geology degree, details surrounding her joining Capra, and how being a vocalist in lieu of a bassist fits her better. All that and a huge section on gaming and the Metal Blade hosted Dungeons and Dragons stream, women in punk and metal and the sisterhood in the scene, the band's Slay At Home set from November of last year, and a whole host of other topics.

In Transmission will be available April 23 on Metal Blade Records and Blacklight Media. For more information on Capra, visit their Facebook page.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Cave Of Swimmers have been around since 2012 and have finally released their debut full length Aurora. And what a surprise it is after two EP's worth of what could be described as "doom-prog." This album shifts effortlessly between a Mars Volta meets System of a Down vibe to a thrashtastic Megadeth vibe while giving a world music spin to their particular brand of metal. It's a mouthful on paper but rest assured it works seamlessly and is an absolute blast to experience. 

On the heels of Aurora's release, Arturo Garcia took the time to chat with Buke about the new album and just how different this band is than most out there right now, how freeing and efficient it is being a duo, origin of the band's name, how he got his start in drumming and when the music bug hit him, the impetus for moving from Venezuela to Florida, and his favorite track off the album. All that and a discussion on whether or not to defend the snare on St. Anger, the value of playing covers, and a whole host of other topics.

Aurora is available now on BroomTune Records. To keep up with all things Cave Of Swimmers, visit their official website and Facebook page.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky