Circles – The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1 EP Review

Australia, the land down under, is also the home to many kick-ass Progressive Metal bands, thinking here about Vanishing Point, Teramaze, Voyager, and even more on the extreme side...

Released by: Wild Thing Records

Release Date: November 25th, 2022

Genre: Prog/Alt Metal

Links:  https://www.circles.band/

 

Line Up:

Ben Rechter – Lead Vocals / Guitar
Ted Furuhashi – Guitar / Backing Vocals
David Hunter – Drums
Drew Patton – Bass Guitar / Screamed Vocals
 

Tracklist:

1. Wonder
2. Bliss
3. Sleepwalking
4. Echo
5. Dig
6. Reckoning

 

 

Australia, the land down under, is also the home to many kick-ass Progressive Metal bands, thinking here about Vanishing Point, Teramaze, Voyager, and even more on the extreme side you have Be’lakor and Ne Obliviscaris and now you have Circles, yes!!!

No, the Melbourne Alt/Metal/Prog unit is not new on the scene, they have been around since 2010. While having heard of these guys before, never their music, I was instantly hooked when their new EP The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1 came through the promo wire. One read over some of the backdrops of the EP and we get the music “portrays the process of piecing together existentialism and identity to rekindle a strong connection with oneself, which had previously dwindled to a flicker”. Yes flies over my head, but not pretentious enough to not have a proper listen.

The music here is every bit as interesting and melodic laden to take a deep dive into the EP without any hesitation. The choruses as massive here on a few of the tunes, the likes of “Wonder” and “Sleepwalking”, it has some harder edges and distortion, but not enough prog wankery to dull any moments. The vocals of Ben Rechter are one of the highlights of the EP and say the same of their past releases.

When I heard “Dig” I was thinking the same thing, where the hell can I listen to more music from Circles? Instantly hooked, a nice blend of enticing melodies, metal back end with some poignant undertones all thrown into the mix. Perhaps the most interesting and well-done track here is “Echo”, call it Djent some, call it a bit softy in places, I don’t care it works nicely, the smooth vocals of Rechter give this song a go, later it tips over the edge when the distortion in rhythm comes at you, another heavy chorus and basslines and this song has instantly been playing in my head since I heard it weeks ago.

The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1 is for anybody that can appreciate good well played music and solid every song kicks ass EP, give Circles a chance as they also have a solid back catalog and if you get a chance to chem them out on the road, is a must. Also can’t wait for part II of their next EP.

 

Written by: Shadow Editor

Ratings: 9/10

 

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Circles - The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1 EP
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Circles - The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1 EP
The Good
  • Melodic Proggy
  • Vocals
  • Progressive Australia
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