Russian Circles share "Vorel" from Kurt Ballou-produced new LP

Chicago instrumental post-metal trio Russian Circles recently announced their new album Guidance, and now they’ve shared the first song from that album, which is called “Vorel.” You can stream it below.

This is the band’s first time working with Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou as a producer, and whenever an established band links up with him for the first time, there’s a bit of added excitement that he might be able to get the best out of their sound. While it remains to be seen where this release will rank in their discography, the first taste of the collaboration is extremely promising. This is as heavy and focused as Russian Circles have sounded in quite some time, as “Vorel” rips through so many different sounds in about 5-minutes that a couple listens are surely necessary to get the whole thing. After opening with a swirling drum figure that circles around an anthemic post-metal riff, the band covers soaring guitar melodies, furious stoner metal chugging, tremolo-picking that captures the textural beauty of someone like Blut Aus Nord, and a climactic riff that sounds like a slowed-down version of Pig Destroyer’s “Thought Crime Spree.” Ballou captures the band perfectly, understanding that they have to sound alternately crushing and ethereal, able to produce the urge to bang your head against the wall and stare at the ceiling in equal measure.

As we’ve mentioned, Russian Circles are touring with Cloakroom and Helms Alee this fall, and the Helms Alee leg of the tour stops in NYC for a show at Warsaw on September 30. Tickets for that are on sale now.

Stream “Vorel” below (via Rolling Stone).