As of late, I have been revisiting my love affair with the sublime tunage of St. Louis’ Riddle of Steel (RIP).

This power trio wrote fantastic, inspirational, feel-good yet edgy songs that each told their own unique melodic story, and it’s continually a pleasure to re-spin both of the two albums I have of theirs.  (UPDATE: just found out that there’s a 3rd full-length and an earlier EP as well, and I peed my pants a lil….Wingerschmidt Jr. got excited!)  Sounds vaguely like a heavier Trans Am meets Zeppelin meets The Police, but I’m hesitant to compare them to anything too much cuz the music is so nicely original and quality in its own right. Not to get bromantic or nuthin but I’m pretty sure RoS played at one of the first shows I ever went to with Vince Neilstein, at Lit Lounge right here in NYfC… Awwww :)

Sadly the band broke up in 2009, but their rockin, earnest singer/guitarist Andrew Elstner now plays in Torche and Tilts, drummer Rob Smith plays with Traindodge, Life & Times, Roma 79 and Bitch Wizard, and excellent bassist/vocalist Jimmy Vavak is busy being a dad (which also rocks). These guys are surely missed by many, what stellar hooky songwriters…

I couldn’t find any tracks on YouTube from their first full-length Python (my fave, it super kills), so you guys are just gonna have to buy that one, and it’s sooooo worth it.  That record features old drummer Dave Turncrantz, who shortly thereafter starting playing with Russian Circles.  Plenty more Riddle of Steel tunes on YouTube and TheirOldSpace.  Love love love this band!

-KW

It was a week of polar opposites: on one hand, butt rock ruled as Disturbed nabbed the #1 spot on the Current Hard Music charts with Five Finger Death Punch and Evanescence firmly entrenched in second and third place. On the other hand Animals as Leaders scored a big debut, a big victory in the name of all that is right in the music world. As I Lay Dying and Rush also sold well. Let’s take a look at those and more after the jump.

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No surprise, but Evanescence and Five Finger Death Punch nabbed the #1 and #2 spots on the Current Hard Music charts for the third week in a row. The rest of of the Top 10 isn’t much better; aside from Foo Fighters (#4) and Mastodon (#8), the lot is pretty disappointing. BUT, there were solid debuts from Carnifex, Russian Circles (!), Structures, Black Tusk, Junius and more. Those numbers after the jump.

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This week’s list of releases covers a lot of ground, between the sludge punk of Black Tusk, Noctem’s blackened thrash, a heavier side of Russian Circles, East of the Wall, Carnifex, Hammers of Misfortune and much more. Check it all out by clicking below.

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Russian Circles’ new album, Empros, is streaming over at Spin right now. It’s the first time I’m hearing the full album, but so far, I’m liking what I hear. The word I’ve used again and again and again to describe this band’s music is “cinematic,” but I really can’t think of a more fitting adjective; every time I hear Russian Circles, it really does sound, to my ears at least, like they’re scoring some never-produced-film. Close your eyes and listen; that movie looks pretty awesome, doesn’t it?

Listen here, then let us know what you think in the comments section below. Empros comes out October 25 via Sargent House.

-AR

Are Russian Circles finally about to hit the big time? “Mladek,” the first song to be released from their forthcoming album Empros (out on October 25th) is premiering on Rolling Stone. That’s a pretty big statement.

Russian Circles always seemed destined to break out of the metal scene, anyway. Their music is heavy but it certainly can’t be called “brutal,” “crushing” or <insert metal adjective here>, and it’s certainly got elements of space rock, indie and more. This band could certainly cast a wide net and come up big, even though they’re instrumental. Their music is even danceable. You could bring a normal chick (key word “normal”) to a Russian Circles show and she’d probably enjoy herself, something you can’t say about 99% of the bands we regularly post about. This will be their fourth full-length album; they’ve been plugging away at it for some time, making great music and touring relentlessly throughout, so any widespread success they achieve is certainly hard earned.

Check out the new song at Rolling Stone; it’s beautiful and delicate yet still somehow manages to pack a punch and has a walloping groove, just like everything else this band has done in the past.

-VN

Three cheers for whomever this guy is, because his (or her, but c’mon, his) surprisingly-good quality bootleg footage of Russian Circles performing a new song during a recent concert a) reminded me I need to listen to more Russian Circles, and b) alerted me to the fact that we will be getting a new Russian Circles album this year.

These are both good things.

So that sounds pretty awesome. Hopefully we’ll get to hear some actual studio material soon.

-AR

[via The PRP]

You ought to know the name Ian Astbury. I shouldn’t have to explain that he’s the frontman for The Cult, but perhaps I must for those of you who think that Avenged Sevenfold are the be-all end-all of hard rock. The Cult–not to be confused with Blue Oyster Cult–have been kicking ass for decades (with a couple hiatuses here and there), producing undisputed rock classics like “She Sells Sanctuary”, “Wild Flower” and “Rain” to name a few. Their 1999 album Beyond Good And Evil is a hugely underrated gem, dark and hard and infectious. (On-again-off-again member Matt Sorum played on the damn thing too!)

And while lineup changes have occurred throughout the years, Astbury’s incredible voice has arguably been the band’s central focus–and for good reason. So recent news that he’s collaborating with Japanese rock auteurs Boris is beyond exciting. Their new project, simply named BXI, have recorded a four-song EP which will come out in September in CD, vinyl, and digital formats on Southern Lord. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait to hear what this will sound like, as Astbury made an unannounced onstage appearance with Boris at the Sydney Opera House in late May. Video footage has made its way online and in the clip above you can check out a medley that combines original track “Magickal Child” with The Doors’ “The End”. It’s creepy and psychedelic and fucking boss.

I’ve heard no indication that Astbury will join Boris for any of their upcoming U.S. tour dates, but that’s no reason not to attend. Those dates–featuring Russian Circles and/or Red Sparrowes–are below.

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I’ve been following the NYTimes.com coverage of the crisis in Haiti and… I’m just horrified. I’ve watched video footage of people trapped under thousands of pounds of concrete screaming for their lives, browsed photos of stacks of dead bodies and over-flowing hospitals, and of course I’ve been reading the ongoing reports of how Port-au-Prince’s infrastructure is so crippled that even if suitable aid were to be available it couldn’t reach those who desperately need it.

California label Sargent House (whose roster includes Russian Circles, Red Fang, Red Sparowes and others) and Rodriguez Lopez Productions have teamed up to rally support from the metal community for those stricken by the disaster in Haiti. They’re offering a sampler of Sargent House artists that includes 18 full tracks — for the price of whatever you want to donate — as an instant download “in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.” ALL proceeds go directly to the Haiti Relief effort spearheaded by Doctors Without Borders, a group that even my Mom recommended I donate to.

DOWNLOAD THE SAMPLER AND DONATE TO THE HAITI RELIEF EFFORT HERE.

Even if you’re broke as fuck, I hope you can afford to give just a little bit to people who need it way more than you do. Every little bit counts. And hey, as if you should need any reason other than that… you get some free music with it too.

-VN

Thanks to Sean Williams for sending in this link.

According to an official press release from These Arms Are Snakes’ record label Suicide Squeeze, the Seattle based four-piece post-metallers have broken up:

“It’s with a heavy heart we tell you that These Arms Are Snakes is no more. It’s been a great run and we’d like to send out a very hearty “Thank You” to everyone that we’ve worked with or anyone that we’ve toured with; anyone that lent us a floor, towed our van and/or trailer, lent a van, given us a listen, downloaded our records prior to their coming out, bought our shit, or asked us where our band name came from; everyone who cooked us food, made habanero-infused tequila, had a safety meeting with us, let Steve gyrate all over you, had to live with any of us, made us pay shitloads of money to get off your punk label, got us into LOST, found Steve drunkenly wandering the streets of Tokyo alone, played Madlibs in the van (plural nouns), lost money promoting one of our shows, took Chris to the hospital, put up with our drunken sorry asses, got into a fight with us, etc. etc.”

This band could not have been possible without all of you. We sincerely thank you.

Much love,

TAAS 2002 – 2009

Well, umm… this sucks. I’ve never been a huge fan of any one These Arms are Snakes record, but in a live setting the band absolutely smokes. Like, makes other bands look like absolute amateurs they are [were] so fucking good. These Arms Are Snakes ripping first-night performance was a highlight of my 2009 SXSW festival, and I had the privilege of seeing them again this Fall in a Bushwick loft.

The band hasn’t given any reasons for their breakup, but I suppose it’s some combination of the usual suspects… creative differences, dudes wanting to move on and do other things, dudes getting tired of the touring lifestyle, dudes wanting to settle down, dudes getting tired of smelling each others’ farts, dudes hating each other’s guts… etc. In the immediate future I suppose this means bassist Brian Cook will have more time to devote to Russian Circles who seem to be doing quite well for themselves lately (nearly packed NYC’s Bowery Ballroom last month). I’m not aware if guitarist Ryan Frederiksen is involved with other projects, but the dude can play. And as for snake-like frontman Steve Snere and uber-finesse drummer Chris Common… lord oh lord would it be an incredible waste of talent if those dudes didn’t join other bands.

So why the fuck were they called These Arms Are Snakes anyway? R.I.P.

-VN

Holy shit. I wasn’t even out that late last night, but for some reason I am just so tired today that it feels like nothing is really happening. Am I really typing this? Did I really write something positive about Zakk Wylde? Can I please just go to sleep now? I’m just gonna go to sleep now.

Before I do, here’s some things that happened this week:

• We’re giving away a free download of Katatonia’s new song, “Forsaker.”
• We spoke to Hypocrisy’s Peter Tagtgren and Brian Cook from Russian Circles and These Arms Are Snakes.
• We checked out new releases from Slayer and Jesu.
• Otep Shamaya gives women in metal a good name – too bad she won’t be a woman much longer.
• Leaves’ Eyes singer Liv Kristine gives women in metal a bad name – or, at least, a silly one.

Alright, seriously, night-night time for Axl. I think Gary Suarez is going to the NYC Vader gig tomorrow; if anyone sees him there, give him a dead arm for me.

-AR

Instru-metallers Russian Circles’ new album Geneva is out now. Even Axl, who usually doesn’t get into all of the same instrumental / trippy / wank stuff that I do, is enjoying the album and described it as “really cinematic.” If you’ve yet to experience this amazing band, be sure to listen to a few tracks on their MySpace page and catch them on their current tour with Young Widows and Coliseum.

Current These Arms Are Snakes / ex-Botch bassist Brian Cook recently became a full-time member of Russian Circles after having recorded and toured with them on their last record Station. I recently emailed Brian a batch of questions about joining the band, recording the new album, balancing the workload between all of his projects, and what the future holds for Russian Circles, to which he was more than happy to respond in detail. My questions, his answers… after the jump.

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“Russian Circles” is like an onomatopoeia of band names; I have no idea what a Russian Circle is, but I do know that if the band name is spoken — not written — it’s accurate as fuck. Listen to any Russian Circles song and tell me their music doesn’t sound just like circles that are rushing, spiraling and spinning (hint: it helps if you’re stoned). Their excellent 2008 release Station was one of my favorite instru-metal releases of that year, and judging from the new track “Malko,” their new record Geneva (October 20th, Suicide Squeeze) will bring more of the same rushing, circling goodness.

Noise/post-rock fans, take note: ex-Botch, current-These Arms Are Snakes bass player Brian Cook is now a permanent member of Russian Circles. Yeah!

Listen to “Malko,” courtesy of The Fader, below:

Russian Circles – “Malko”

Catch the band on tour with Young Widows and Red Sparowes this fall. Dates after the jump.

-VN

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Meet If These Trees Could Talk, an instrumental band from Akron, Ohio. If These Trees Could Talk border on metal the same way bands like Dredg, Muse, Maserati and Russian Circles do — for the most part they stick to delicate but rocking atmospheric grooves, but occasionally they kick it into high gear for cathartic headbang crescendos. If you’re a fan of well-crafted, intricate, moody music like the above-mentioned bands — in addition to other heady, cerebral rock acts like Tool, Mogwai, and Isis — my guess is you’ll dig this band. This is thinking man’s rock for listeners who revel in musical subtlety; no blast beats or cookie monster vocals to be seen here. For those questioning why this is on a metal site, go fuck yourself. Or just wait ’til the heavy part towards the end of the song kicks in.

ITTCT have been kind enough to offer us up a free track called “What’s in the Ground Belongs To You” from their album Above the Sky, Below the Earth. Stream or download it below. They’ll be releasing a new vinyl through Mylene Sheath sometime this Fall. Enjoy.

If These Trees Could Talk – “What’s in the Ground Belongs To You”

-VN

[Visit ITTCT on MySpace]

Scale The Summit are an instrumental metal band. While that very fact might cause lots of you to excitedly skip to the next paragraph where I actually talk about the music, it will likely send just as many running to the hills. And that’s perfectly cool, because the type of heady, proggy music Scale The Summit peddle isn’t likely to appeal to a lot of folks anyway, regardless of whether or not there’s some dude screaming/growling/singing on top of it. This is the kind of band that musicians are gonna cream their pants over and most others will shrug in overwhelming “meh”-itude. But the fact of the matter is that Scale the Summit are immensely talented musicians and composers, and they just don’t feel like letting those pesky things called “lyrics” get in the way of enjoying what matters most, the music. If bands like Intronaut, Russian Circles and Cynic tickle your metal bone(r), Scale the Summit’s Prosthetic Records debut Carving Desert Canyons is likely to do the same.

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Not to sound like one of those lame Victory Records album stickers… but, to sound like one of those lame Victory Records album stickers, if you enjoy any of the above bands there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy Scale the Summit, a group of Houston progressive metal youngins whose Prosthetic Records’ debut Carving Desert Canyons drops on February 17th. The album is easily one of my most anticipated releases of 2009 — from a new band, that is — and it’ll be certain to get the prog masturbaters amongst you in a tizzy.

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This might read like the opening line of a badly written press release for a shitty local band, but fuck it: in a musical climate where even the most distinguished metal bands are easily associated with a particular sub-genre or movement, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a band that succumbs to no cliches and creates a sound that is truly unique. The L.A.-based quartet and recent Prosthetic Records’ signees Scale the Summit do just that, creating a sound that’s completely one of a kind.

The songs on the band’s MySpace page from their self-released 2007 album Monument pummel, pound, and artfully weave and bob their way through myriad sonic landscapes and musical ideas. The band’s heady musical approach fuses the dynamics (and instrumental take) of Russian Circles’ proggier and heavier moments with the jazz-metal complexity of another California band pushing new boundaries, Intronaut — and injects it with a youthful exuberance only capable of emanating from dudes who really, really love their craft. The album they’re currently recording for Prosthetic is one of my most eagerly anticipated new releases from a new band in 2009.

-VN

[Scale the Summit on MySpace]

A few weeks ago, the Chicago-based rising instrumental metal band Russian Circles played at New York City’s Mercury Lounge as part of a short tour to whet the appetite of the masses for the release of their new record Station, out May 6th on Suicide Squeeze Records. Russian Circles were nothing short of fantastic, their aggressive brand of stoney metal punctuated by Floydian guitar work, ethereal soundscapes and dynamic drumming. Before the show, MetalSucks had the opportunity to sit down with Russian Circles’ drummer Dave Turncrantz to ask him about the new record, working with producer Mat Bayles (Mastodon, Botch, Vendetta Red, Norma Jean) the band’s formation and musical evolution, and their plans for the future. The full chat transcript after the jump.

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Saturday Song To Get Stoned To forefather Kip W. is on a ganj-induced bender somewhere in the mountains of southern Mexico this week, but don’t you worry, good ol’ Uncle Vince is here, spliff in hand, to get your weekend rolling right.

Get used to hearing about Russian Circles, because they’re one of those bands that the hipster metal press / blogosphere is jumping all over. But the praise is deserved. Though the Chicago-based two-piece (!) lacks a vocalist, their sound is ginormous — no White Stripes lo-fi shenanigans here. Russian Circles come off like a more psychadelic, jammier Mastodon, their doomy sludge coming at you like a killer whale only to get lost in a Bob Ross landscape of happy flowers and happy trees. And the band bares more than a passing similarity to 2007 dark-horse darlings Baroness, not that this is a bad thing at all. (P.S. Tool tapped Russian Circles to support their recent UK tour).

Russian Circles will hit the road in early ’08 for a short, 10-date jaunt with New Jersey MC Dalek. Someone please explain that pairing to me. Anyway, hopefully Russian Circles will bring extra musicians with them on the road to recreate their recorded output in a live setting. Can’t wait to catch them live.

Spark up that spliff and get your day going!

Russian Circles – “Carpe” from Enter (2006)

-VN

[Hear more Russian Circles jams on their MySpace page]

Tour dates after the jump.

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