The 9C Files: Magic Pie’s Maestro

Gather round, ye men and women of the heavy. For I have news to share, of the mighty return of Magic Pie, and the veritable cornucopia of virtues that lay within the band’s first album in six years, the masterful Maestro, filled to the brim with incredible guitars, catchy anthemic melodies and soaring choruses and…and…did I mention how great the guitar playing is? Because holy bovine, my friends, the guitar playing is majestic. Too often we turn to extreme music to mirror and reflect how we feel. Well, right now I need music that lifts me up, makes me cheer and rock and smile and feel like there is joy in the construction of a righteous racket. And my friends, my stalwart brethren in metal arms, these Norwegians do just that.

ChrisNovember 23, 2025November 12, 2025Leave a comment

Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 77: Dumb Fun

Sometimes you want to fall into the depths of a great song or album, stretching your senses around and in between the notes, feeling the rhythm shifts and tempo changes. Sometimes you want to dig into the marrow of lyrics, searching for analogues to your life and experiences. Sometimes, though, you just want some DUMB FUN. That’s this playlist: dumb, mindless fun for my soul. Note that my definition of DUMB FUN may differ from yours…and that’s perfectly okay. Let’s get it.

ChrisNovember 22, 2025Leave a comment

Vinyl

Naxatras: V (2025)

Time has since clouded just how I discovered Naxatras, the Greek psychedelic rock outfit. I think it was via Bandcamp, possibly by following the breadcrumb trail of “You Might Also Like…” albums at the bottom of the page of…some album. I remember I featured the band’s fourth full length, simply titled IV, in my Best of 2022 Stoner and Psych list over at Nine Circles, and now here we are with the equally descriptive album title V. Good news is it’s even better than its predecessor, heavier and doubling down on the exotic flavor of its melodies. This has been another great headphones album, but it’s equally effective played at loud volumes on a good stereo.

ChrisNovember 19, 2025Leave a comment

Vinyl

The Bridge: Overdrive – Jazz/Rock Party (1972)

Sometimes an album just speaks to you. It’s a combination of everything: the cover, the production, the “vibe” if you will. One component might pull you in; the rest tether you for eternity. Such was the case when I first laid eyes on The Bridge, a one-off project from Kristian Schultze, the keyboard/organ whiz who would later go on to join Passport and then with Michael Holm go on to form the new age band Cusco. None of that is important to know, though: just take a look at that cover and that album title. The whole project screams jazz funk rock grooves for a party, and indeed, Overdrive – Jazz/Rock Party is exactly as advertised. Not a lot going on thematically, just some good time funky jams that make your day a little more fun, and just a little brighter.

ChrisNovember 17, 2025Leave a comment

The 9C Files, Vinyl

The 9C Files: Bask’s The Turning

Sometimes I lay in bed at night, struggling to figure out what to listen to in order to calm my brain and find some peace. I have it in my head, the way the guitars sound, the kinds of riffs and sinewy leads I want. Slow, rolling, but catchy and propulsive. It’s more than stoner rock; when everyone and their brother is doing it, I crave something deeper, something that locks into my wavelength. I didn’t know Bask before randomly grabbing the promo from the pile, but now, having heard The Turning, not only do I know them, but I know what I was searching for on all of those sleepless nights.

Something to ring the spirit bell inside. A chord that resonates deep in the chasm of my chest. Also, some banjo and gnarly fuzz.

ChrisNovember 16, 2025November 16, 2025Leave a comment

Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 76: The End (Of year) Approaches

I can’t speak for everyone, but when it comes to this metal fan, the end of year season begins with Decibel Magazine’s annual “Beat ’em at their own game” posting (sans commentary) of their Top 40 of the Year. This year’s list was just released, and there are the usual biases and prejudices along with a handful of surprises. But guess what? That’s true of every list, and while I’ll admit I do look to see where my own tentative picks have landed (or been omitted entirely), I mainly use it to fill gaps in my listening and re-evaluate albums I may have glossed over. So this week’s playlist is a cursory listen and evaluation of those gaps and glosses, with a little reaction summary.

ChrisNovember 15, 2025November 15, 2025Leave a comment

Consuming the Tangible

We are what we consume

Month: November 2025