Review: The Circle – Of Awakening

Style: Melodic Death Metal, Prog Metal,  Black Metal, Symphonic Metal (Mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ne Obliviscaris, Wintersun
Review by: Christopher
Country: Germany
Release date: 18 August, 2023

Another release day hits and tumbleweed rolls across a barren wasteland, the place where underground bands are born. There’s no wind, just a silent stillness and the bleached remnants of albums that died in this waste, too weak to traverse this arid circle of Hell and find fans to sustain them. All of which is an overly florid way of saying, it’s been a bland couple of months for music releases and I’m sick of it—even Spotify’s release radar keeps flagging up albums that came out months ago because it has nothing new worth recommending. But what’s that up ahead? An oasis up shimmering in the desert! Just another mirage, or could it be real? 

A first listen to this German quintet’s sophomore release certainly suggests they might be real music to divert an ailing reviewer in the doldrums of 2023. Self-describing as “art metal”, The Circle are better described as a blend of blackened melodic death metal with strong progressive and symphonic influences. “Ruins, My Dying World” sets the scene with portentous, doomy chords before grandiloquent blackened tremolo picking and pounding blast beats launch us into overdrive. Asim Searah’s impressive growls and screeches flow over the top, and the song builds to an enormous sweep-picking adorned climax.

Strings suffuse Of Awakening, as provided by Lisa Wende who layers pensive violin and viola accompaniment to add to the mournful sense of ceremony. Who do these guys think they are, Ne Obliviscaris? Well, have I got news for you: the title track features Mr. Tim Charles himself providing his inimitable neoclassical violin work which elevates the track to heretofore unprecedented levels of sonic orgasmicness.

Searah’s voice is another feather in The Circle’s cap; issuing grit, power and versatility with every syllable, his harshes range from gnashing blackened screams to more guttural death growls, while his clean singing is legitimately beautiful, particularly his performance on “Afflux” which moves from restrained melancholy into mellifluous belting. Having vocal range is a gift, but some artists don’t know how to properly utilise it; that’s not a problem for Searah—his consummate understanding of the drama and dynamics of vocalisation is yet another of his strengths. 

It’s hard to find criticisms to level at The Circle, but I do have one major want: to hear more from Lisa Wende who has very few moments to really shine because in most tracks she’s relegated to backing atmosphere—her string accompaniment to Searah’s tempered cleans in the middle of “Ashes and Fading Tides” is easily her stand-out moment on this album and demonstrates the vitality great strings can bring to the table. However, for the most part, this is a band who are working in perfect concert, each member’s performance elevating those of their peers. 

At a compact thirty-three minutes and just five tracks, Of Awakening’s brevity belies its enormity; it’s a frigid blast of tempestuous Scandi-style metal with enough power to chill the sands and to reinvigorate the desert wanderer. The Circle have crafted a grandiose and emotive work that proves a timely reminder why we humble reviewers maintain our release day vigil throughout the slower months—sometimes the desert yields wonders.

Recommended tracks: Of Awakening, Reign of the Black Sun, Afflux
You may also like: Aeternam, Atavistia
Final verdict: 8/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page

Label: AOP Records – Bandcamp | Facebook | Official Website

The Circle is:
– Stanley Robertson (music and guitars)
– Asim Searah (lyrics and vocals)
– Philipp Wende (drums)
– Jaakko Nikko (bass)
– Lisa Wende (violin and viola)