This is the Australian Tech Metaller’s third full album release, and I think the first to feature new vocalist, Ben Richter. The band deal in crushingly heavy riffs and grooves, and beautiful emotive vocals – with the occasional screamed sections. They have been around since 2010, and latched on to the whole Djent movement. The comparisons are obvious; from the polyrhythmic drumming, and the deep fat palm muted riffs. Similarities between Tesserract are abound, as the vocal styles are very similar, but I would say that Circles occupy a heavier space as Tesserract are moving away from the heavier stuff.
This is album feels as though it’s a huge step forward as the quality of the song writing and the playing has moved up a few gears. Ted Furuhashi’s playing is incredible on this album, and he is one of the genre’s unsung heroes. Tracks like Winter, and the beautiful Arrival, see Ted really stretching out. The heaviness of the Djent is strong on this one. Album closer, Alone With Ghosts, is one of my favourite tracks from this whole genre. I would gladly have paid for this track alone. Hopefully they will still be around to release more music, as they have been a tad quiet of late. Great band!
9/10 from The Grooveman.
