The Nine Circles Audio Thing

It has been said that Richmond, Virginia turns out some incredible metal. Enforced are one of those bands that prove it with their brand of crossover thrash that nudges the gates of death and speed metal. With two incredible albums under their belts, their third, War Remains (Century Media Records), turns those on their head and curb stomps them...for real, it's that good. We could go on and on about how good but our man Buke recently sat down with vocalist Knox Colby to discuss the new album, band history, Richmond's metal scene, and so much more (you know how we roll). We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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

There's no doubt as to whether or not Enslaved are household names at this point in their career, and have been for quite some time. With the release of Heimdal (Nuclear Blast) our back office halls went nuts so it was the obvious choice for the March Album of the Month pick. Well... maybe not obvious as in landslide but close. The rest of that story will surface during this discussion as Buke once again captions the episode alongside several of our usual suspects as they cover this album, catch-up discussions since last time, an enormous section on everything else that tripped their triggers across March, and the usual banter back and forth on literally anything and everything. Pro tip: pack a lunch and a case of beer, this one's lengthy.

In other words, just another Album of the Month episode of the Nine Circles Audio Thing.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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

Thirty years is a long time, but this year marks exactly that for San Francisco’s Acid King. And, they’re still the lords of doom and the almighty riff even this far in. Zoroaster and Busse Woods stand as deeply seminal albums as well as stone cold classics. Beyond Vision (Blues Funeral Recordings) is an excellent continuation of their legacy but also marks a chance to really hear its members stretch out and reach for the sky in ways we’ve never heard before. Buke recently had the chance to speak with Lori S. on the new album and how it came to be, they also discuss her extremely storied history and career, and so much more. Lori is absolutely a legend and should be protected at all costs. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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

California's VoidCeremony are readying their second full length Threads Of Unknowing (20 Buck Spin) and if you dabbled with their debut, then you already know we're all going to be in for a hectic black and death metal ride. With this band, it's far more than just those two genres, the way they cross the chasm with their music is akin to the old style of jazz improv which to some says prog but to us it's just...massive. Just ahead of the album's release, Buke spoke to mastermind, vocalist and lead guitarist Garrett Johnson about the album, how it came to be, some band history, and so much more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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

It’s Album of the Month time again and for this edition, Ulthar’s third AND fourth full lengths, Anthronomicon and Helionomicon (20 Buck Spin) won the most votes. For those keeping score of these sorts of things, the votes weren’t unanimous but really close. Buke once again captains the episode along with Ian, Dan M, Colin, Hera, and Vince. The conversation pretty much dives head first into the album, how it compares to the band’s first two, and deep thoughts surrounding it all and Ian gets lengthy runtime here since he nailed the double review. Elsewhere, the gang spends a good portion of the runtime gushing over everything else they listened to since they last spoke, and the usual banter back and forth on literally anything and everything.

In other words, just another Album of the Month episode of the Nine Circles Audio Thing.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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

Metal fans know the difference when categorizing a band as tech death versus technical death metal. But, for those unaware, the former implies a bunch of noodling and wankery just because it can be done while the latter implies an actual gift for the technical side of death metal. And that’s precisely where you can find France’s Gorod as they’ve been cranking out extremely “technical death metal” now for over 25 years. The Orb, their seventh full length, finds them at their best; mind-bendingly technical, more brutal than ever in their attack, and quite possibly some of the best songs the band has ever written. Buke recently had the chance to chat with vocalist Julien “Nutz” Deyres about the new album, how it came to be, and many other topics. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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

Enslaved is a name known far and wide by fans of metal and well beyond. The band are celebrating over 30 years which is in and of itself amazing, even more amazing is that they are more vital now than they’ve ever been. Over the years their sound has evolved but they’ve always kept their black metal roots intact and fully alive. Heimdal (Nuclear Blast Records) sees the band push their progressive nature even further while keeping a firm hold on icy venom and, no surprise, it’s an epic and glorious album. Buke and lifelong Enslaved fan Colin pair up to chat with drummer Iver Sandøy about the album, how it came to be, and many other topics along the way. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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

It’s Album of the Month time again and for this edition, Ahab’s fifth full length, The Coral Tombs (Napalm Records) was nearly a unanimous pick among the staff. Buke once again captains the episode along with Ian, Angela, Colin, and Vince. The conversation opens with a lengthy back and forth on beer then dives head first into the album, how it compares to past efforts, and deep thoughts surrounding this band’s legacy to date. Elsewhere, the gang spends a good portion of the runtime gushing over everything else they listened to since they last spoke. That and the usual banter back and forth on literally anything and everything.

In other words, just another episode of the Nine Circles Audio Thing.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

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

If anyone would‘ve hinted at Obsequiae and Inexorum combining forces in a new band, Majesties brand of 90s loving meloswedeath would not have been the first assumption. Yet, here we are on the eve of Vast Reaches Unclaimed (20 Buck Spin) and it’s an absolute beast of an album full of everything fans loved about that timeframe in melodic death metal. It’s almost as if these guys wrote the next chapter of the genre and the past twenty five years never happened. Buke recently sat down with Matthew Kirkwold (bass), Carl Skildum (guitars), and Tanner Anderson (guitars, vocals, drums) to get the lowdown on this new band and album, how it came to be, and so much more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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

One thing is for sure, Memoriam don‘t need us to rekindle their storied history in this band or their members long and legendary careers. Basically, if you don’t know them by now you are on purpose avoiding it…they are just that much a part of death metal. For their fifth album, Rise To Power (Reaper Entertainment), it’s all about diversity and varying up the songs just a bit. And no, that doesn’t mean they’ve done a 180. It simply means, they’re building on what they’ve created over the course of the past four albums. Is it heavy? Yes. Still trademark Memoriam? Yes. Better than their previous outings? Our opinion only, but YES. Their sound is as vital to death metal as air and water is for humans to keep living and it only gets better with time. Buke recently sat down with the genre defining vocalist Karl Willetts to discuss the new album, how it came to be, Memoriam’s and its members histories, and a ton more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice, a seat, and enjoy. 

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. 

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