Chicago instrumental post-rockers Russian Circles announce new studio album »Nine« on Sargent House; first single and music video »Empath« out now!

Chicago, Illinois based instrumental post-rock trio Russian Circles premiere a music video for the first single »Empath« taken from their upcoming album, »Nine«, which will be released on August 28th, 2026 via Sargent House.

Stream new single »Empath« on all major digital platforms!

Tracklist:
01. Borehole
02. Empath
03. Eluvial
04. E2
05. Meridian
06. Arletta
07. Seventh Seal

Courtesy of Sargent House:

Across the span of their previous seven studio albums, Chicago-based instrumental trio Russian Circles traversed a diverse topography of sounds, moods, and approaches with their limited armory of drums, bass, and guitar. It’s difficult to chart an evolution in their sound when their records have always felt like well-curated playlists. It wasn’t uncommon to hear drone-heavy meditations, dazzling prog exercises, knuckle-dragging riff-fests, haunting folk ballads, and tension-baiting noise rock all within the span of one album.

Still, it’s difficult to ignore the progression from the pensive and intricate melodies of »Enter« (2006) to the layered distorted dirges of »Blood Year« (2019). It’s been a gradual sonic shift owing to the band’s rigorous tour schedule and a predilection towards playing their more authoritative material on stage. But with their latest album, »Gnosis«, Russian Circles eschew the varied terrain of their past work and bulldoze a path through the most tumultuous and harrowing territory of their sound.

Photo credit: Matt Darcy

As was the case for so many artists in the age of Covid, the obstacles of geography and isolation forced Russian Circles to reevaluate their writing process. Rather than crafting songs out of fragmented ideas in the practice room, full songs were written and recorded independently before being shared with other members, so that their initial vision was retained. While these demos spanned the full breadth of the band’s varied styles, the more cinematic compositions were ultimately excised in favor of the physically cathartic pieces.

Pre-order / pre-save »Nine« HERE.

Russian Circles is:
Mike Sullivan – Guitar
Brian Cook – Bass
Dave Turncrantz – Drums

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well