Russian Circles' 'Nine' Delivers Heaviest, Most Riff-Forward Album Yet
The instrumental trio's ninth album is almost entirely in attack mode, pulling from death metal and hardcore. Guitarist Mike Sullivan cited influences like Bolt Thrower and Cannibal Corpse. It's also the first album since bassist Brian Cook reunited with Botch, and features production by Kurt Ballou.
The record marks the band's fourth collaboration with Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou as producer and engineer. Tracking sessions took place at Chicago's Electrical Audio, a studio founded by the late Steve Albini, whose raw aesthetic permeates the album's harsh guitar tones.
Guitarist Mike Sullivan explicitly cited veteran death metal groups Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel, alongside New York hardcore outfit Crush Your Soul, as key inspirations. The album also arrives after bassist Brian Cook's reunion with mathcore act Botch, and sharing bills with Converge and Thirdface may have sharpened the trio's hardcore edge.
This release could reinforce the ongoing fusion of post-metal and hardcore, potentially inspiring younger instrumental acts to prioritize riff-driven aggression over ambient textures. For the metal community, it may serve as a touchstone for the enduring vitality of veteran trios, while the collaboration with Kurt Ballou and the Botch reunion could rekindle interest in the broader hardcore scene. Fans of the genre may find renewed appreciation for the storytelling potential of wordless compositions.