Four years after Gnosis – which feels like forever for fans like us –, the incredible intrumental post-doom trio Russian Circles finally came back with a long awaited comeback album ; Nine. Interesting title choice, as it is actually their 9th album, standing tall with its 7 tracks, including the pre-released singles Empath, Eluvial, and Seventh Seal.
Released officially on the 28th of August 2026, Tim and I were lucky to receive the vinyl preorders a bit in advance and listen to it, and we have things to say. So let’s dive in together right now…
Nine starts strong with Borehole and Empath. We were lucky to first hear Empath during their last concert in Vienna mid-May, but hearing it on pressing felt different. Maybe less empowering, but clearer, and the technicality and heaviness of the title really hit me. The track is so good it literally wipes me off my feet everytime I play it and it seems I can’t possibly get tired of it!
Then come a beautiful trio, as in Eluvial, E2, and Meridian. Eluvial reminds me of previous tracks from the band, such as Mota, Schiphol, or Bloom, with its melodic and emotional parts. And I can’t be happier, as they are some of my favourite music tracks ever. It moves in waves the hit both heart and brain, and tells a story of deep feelings ; 8:23 minutes of pure excellence.
E2 and Meridian hit a bit differently. They are the first tracks of the vinyl B-side, and I was not expecting such violence and emotions at all once! E2 begins with the usual “repetitiveness with a twist” that is such a musical signature of the trio from Chicago, but after only a few minutes in, guitar player Mike Sullivan treats us with some fucking good tunes made with metallic slide. A move they had yet to make in their discography, that is now done and wow, what a success! Even though the track holds dear the legacy of Russian Circles, it is also a proof they know how to reinvent themselves and it got me excited for the future albums even though this one just came out.
Meridian is the second soft track of the album, at least as soft as the band can do. I don’t have much to say about it, I love this track and its circumvolutions, its vibe, its rythm. I think it resembles their discography in all the good ways.
Arletta then comes, as if to cut the album and make us sore. A few notes on an acoustic guitar, surprising and refreshing, but why? The melody is beautiful, nostaligc, maybe a bit sad too, marking the end of an era. “I think that’s good”, and then Seventh Seal erases everything.
I thought Empath was empowering, but Seventh Seal is destroying every emotion this album built. It burns, it’s loud, heavy, spicy. I defy anyone who listens to that track not to headbang on it. Half way through, it drops and trigger adrenaline, guitar slows down and the riffs get solid. Seventh Seal closes a chapter that reflects well the growth of such a band who marked the post scene like no one before, leaving us with pain and greed.
Until the next one, hopefully.
9/10