Russian Circles is an American instrumental post-metal band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was originally formed by childhood friends Mike Sullivan and Dave Turncrantz after their previous musical projects dissolved. After parting ways with their original bass player Colin DeKuiper in 2007, the trio was rounded out by Brian Cook. The band has gained widespread recognition based on a series of critically acclaimed albums and extensive international touring. Their name is taken from a drill exercise used in ice hockey, a sport Sullivan and Turncrantz grew up playing in their original hometown of St. Louis.
Russian Circles | |
|---|---|
 Russian Circles (left to right): Mike Sullivan, Dave Turncrantz, Brian Cook | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Flameshovel, Sargent House, Suicide Squeeze |
| Members | Mike Sullivan Dave Turncrantz Brian Cook |
| Past members | Colin DeKuiper |
| Website | russiancircles |
History
editRussian Circles was formed in late 2004 by guitarist Mike Sullivan and bassist Colin DeKuiper (both formerly of instrumental band Dakota/Dakota), they quickly recruited drummer Dave Turncrantz, formerly of St. Louis band Riddle of Steel.
In the autumn of 2007, it was announced that the band had parted ways with Colin DeKuiper. As a result, the bass tracks on their second album, titled Station, were handled by ex-Botch/These Arms Are Snakes bass player Brian Cook, who then joined the band permanently.[1] The group's third full-length, Geneva, was released on October 20, 2009 and reached No. 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[2]
In 2011, Russian Circles signed to Sargent House who had previously only exclusively released the band's albums on limited edition vinyl. Their fourth studio album Empros was released on October 25, 2011. A supporting tour with Deafheaven followed the release.[3] In May 2013 the group began recording their fifth studio album, produced by Brandon Curtis.[4] Memorial was released at the end of October 2013 and featured a guest-vocal by Chelsea Wolfe.[5] Together they embarked on a co-headlining UK/European tour in the fall.[6]
Russian Circles released its sixth studio album Guidance on August 5, 2016 through Sargent House. The album was produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge fame.[7] On August 1, 2019, they released their seventh studio album, Blood Year, recorded at GodCity Studio in Salem and Steve Albini's Electrical Audio Studio in Chicago and again produced by Kurt Ballou.[8][9]
The band's eighth album Gnosis was released on August 19, 2022 via Sargent House. It was engineered and mastered by Kurt Ballou.[10]
Discography
edit
Studio albums
edit- Enter (2006, Flameshovel)
- Station (2008, Suicide Squeeze)
- Geneva (2009, Suicide Squeeze)
- Empros (2011, Sargent House)
- Memorial (2013, Sargent House)
- Guidance (2016, Sargent House)[7]
- Blood Year (2019, Sargent House)
- Gnosis (2022, Sargent House)
EPs
edit- Russian Circles (2004, self-released)
- Audiotree Far Out (2020, Audiotree Music)
Live albums
edit- Live at Schubas 05/27/2005 (2005, Re:Live)
- Live at Dunk! Fest (2017, Sargent House)
Singles
edit- "Upper Ninety" (2006, Suicide Squeeze)
Splits
edit- Russian Circles / These Arms Are Snakes (split with These Arms Are Snakes) (2008, Sargent House)
References
edit- ^ "Russian Circles signs w/ Suicide Squeeze | News". Lambgoat. October 26, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ "Russian Circles - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ Kraus, Brian (October 8, 2011). "Deafhaven announce tour with Russian Circles". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
- ^ "Russian Circles Begin Recording of LP 5 at Electrical Audio in Chicago". May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
- ^ Jon Blistein (September 13, 2013). "Stream Russian Circles' 'Memorial,' Featuring Chelsea Wolfe | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ "Russian Circles & Chelsea Wolfe Tour Selling out Get Tickets in Advance | Sargent House Europe". Sargenthouseeu.tumblr.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ a b Adams, Gregory (May 17, 2016). "Russian Circles Return with 'Guidance'". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (May 21, 2019). "Russian Circles Announce New Album Blood Year, Share New Song: Listen". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Album of the Day: Russian Circles, "Blood Year" // Bandcamp"". Sargent House. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (June 16, 2022). "Russian Circles announce new album 'Gnosis' & world tour, share "Conduit"". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Russian Circles discography at Discogs
- Russian Circles on Bandcamp
