For over two decades Chicago based trio Russian Circles have been releasing their own brand of dense instrumental post metal, and with this, their aptly titled ninth album ‘Nine’, they add another stellar addition to their already impressive catalogue. Undeniably consistent, over the years Russian Circles have refined and perfected their sound with each album, playing with different textures and moods to create distinctly singular records that all manage to sound uniquely them. Since 2016’s ‘Guidance’, Converge’s Kurt Ballou has been at the production desk too, bringing out a much heavier, crisp and raw sound to the band’s newer albums, and ‘Nine’ is no exception. Comprising seven tracks of near unrelenting musical heft, ‘Nine’ is a muscular, dark, rich and involving record that grows further under your skin with each listen.
Opening proceedings is the goliath ‘Borehole’, composed of surging guitar arpeggios bolstered by the thunderous bass tone of Brian Cook and the commanding and precise drumming of Dave Turncrantz. The guitar melodies here feel almost lyrical, lending the track a near sing along quality. Lead single ‘Empath’ is one of the heaviest and downright claustrophobic tracks the band have ever produced. Opening with an eerie siren-like synth, Cook’s earth shattering bass soon crashes in, accompanied by a succession of filthy, monstrous riffs courtesy of guitarist Mike Sullivan. Reminiscent of 2016’s ‘Guidance’ heavier tracks, ‘Empath’ gradually gets more oppressive as the minutes pass, culminating in a whirlwind of airless weight that doesn’t let up until the final second.
The grand and cinematic ‘Eluvial’ opens with addictive synth bleeps, with tension slowly building as layers of malevolent bass and reverb drench guitars are added, sounding like an ominous soundtrack to an epic, interstellar-set movie. With genuinely moving and melancholic melodies interwoven amongst the track’s heavier passages, the track feels like the album’s emotional core and stands as a true standout. ‘E2’ follows in similar fashion, but with a greater emphasis placed on the grooves and fills of Turncrantz, whose dry and punchy drumming once again perfectly drives the song forward. ‘Meridian’ is similarly propulsive, and features some of the album’s more melodic and celestial passages, as addictive synth melodies are bolstered by crunchy riffs and the ever present, pummelling bass lines of Cook.
There is some brief, light relief from the intensity in the form of the elegant, mournful acoustic ‘Arletta’, beautifully played on nylon string guitar, Ballou has captured the gentleness of this track with effective grace. However, after this short and sweet reprieve the heavy returns with swirling, crush of ‘Seventh Seal’. With its fast chugging riffs, chaotic synths and groove oriented drumming creating a vortex of disorientating, revolving heaviness, it’s an absolute beast of a closing track that serves as a reminder of just how huge Russian Circles sound at their heaviest.
Twenty years into their career, Russian Circles sound as fierce, forward thinking and heavy as ever. With ‘Nine’, they have once again produced an exceptional slice of post-metal that is distinctly their own. Intense, naturally heavy and with a fittingly organic production from Ballou, ‘Nine’ is a document of three musicians operating at their creative zenith, and further proof that Russian Circles are without doubt one of the best instrumental bands performing today.
ADAM FIRTH