News
11 September 2026 – Review: Russian Circles — “Nine”
By Editorial Team - September 11, 2026
Summary
Russian Circles’ Nine is a particularly physical instrumental post-metal record, using hardcore-derived aggression to sharpen its atmospheric passages.
Key Facts
- Nine is Russian Circles’ ninth studio album.
- Its hardcore-derived physicality makes the atmospheric passages feel more dramatic.
- Eluvial, E2, and Arletta are key examples of its contrast-driven writing.
- Entities: Russian Circles, Nine, Eluvial, E2, Arletta, Kurt Ballou, Pitchfork
- Tags: russian-circles, nine, album-review, post-metal, instrumental, hardcore, chicago
Beyond simply being a new record, Nine is worth flagging as one of today’s notable reviews. Its emphasis on hardcore-derived physicality apparently makes the atmospheric passages hit considerably harder through contrast.
“Eluvial,” “E2,” and classical-guitar-led “Arletta” benefit most from that tension. Rather than treating heaviness and space as separate modes, Russian Circles make each sharpen the other.
The result is an unusually direct entry in the Chicago trio’s catalogue: instrumental post-metal with the weight of hardcore, thrash, and sludge behind it.