Release Date: June 3, 2025

Los Angeles, California: a realm where riffs are born in fire and legends are carved into stone. Beneath the neon glow of Hollywood’s hallowed venues, the ground trembles with the echoes of battle cries and amplifier roars. This city pulses with rock and it bleeds molten metal from every cracked sidewalk and backstage corridor. Etched into the obsidian throne of its sonic pantheon stands Ninth Circle, a name forged in steel and scorched into the annals of heavy metal history.

Their self-titled debut, unleashed in 2000, was a war horn blown from the battlements. With melodic sorcery, NWOTHM steel, and the galloping charge of epic power metal, Ninth Circle summoned legions to their banner. Each release since then, The Power of One (2008), Legions of the Brave (2014), and Echo Black (2020), has been a sharpened blade in their arsenal, a testament to their evolving might and unwavering allegiance to the craft.

Then came mid-2025. The sky split. The ground cracked. And from the storm emerged Anthem of the Immortal, a thunderous gauntlet hurled from the heavens. Dennis Brown, wielder of voice, guitar, and keys, channels celestial fury with every note, crafting tales that echo through castle halls and battlefield ruins. Frank Forray swings his bass like a warhammer forged in the depths of Mount Doom, each strike sending shockwaves through the realm. Behind the throne sits Richie “Captain Black” Brooks, commanding a drum kit that rumbles like siege engines at the gates of a doomed kingdom.

Together, they ride into the fray, cloaked in sound and fury, bearing the banner of true metal. Ninth Circle continues to conquer 25 years into their storied career. Their saga continues to unfold like a prophecy written in lightning.

Review

Anthem of the Immortal unsheathes its blade with “I, The Radical,” and is a thunderous declaration of intent. The opening riff stands alone like a lone sentinel atop a storm-lashed tower, casting a shadow over the battlefield below. Then, the full band erupts into view like warhorses cresting the hill, galloping into the fray with righteous fury.

This is a saga where a warrior rises from the ashes of chaos, not to whisper peace but to roar truth and vengeance. The rhythm gallops like a cavalry charge, the melodies soar like banners caught in the wind, and the tale unfolds with cinematic grandeur. At its peak, a solo blazes forth like lightning striking the crown of a tyrant, splitting the sky with divine precision. The final flourish lands like a sword plunged into stone, triumphant and unyielding. The opener kicks down the gates and plants a flag in the soil. Ninth Circle has arrived, and the war drums have begun to thunder.

“Archangel” descends like a flaming sword hurled from the heavens, striking the earth with divine velocity. No preamble, no mercy… just a stormfront of sound that tears through the silence like a battalion of winged crusaders. The riff arrives wrapped in lightning and thunder, a sonic tempest that surges forward with righteous fury.

This is the arrival of a protector forged in the fires of ultimate good, cloaked in radiant armor and wielding riffs like holy relics. Ninth Circle stands tall as a trinity of power (Brown, Forray, and Brooks) each a pillar of the cathedral, each summoning their might in perfect synchronicity. The rhythm gallops with divine intent, the melodies shimmer like stained glass shattered by war cries.

Then comes the solo. It climbs skyward like a phoenix ascending through storm clouds, trailing fire and glory. The track closes not with silence, but with triumph, as fists rise and evil falls. It’s a battle hymn for the faithful, a call to arms for those who still believe in the power of metal to save souls and scorch demons.

“Devil of Manchester” opens with a riff so fierce it feels like a cursed blade being unsheathed in a moonlit alley. It demands a rewind, a second reckoning, and even a third listen as you descend into the shadows. Evil is afoot, and the warning tolls like a cathedral bell cracked by lightning.

The song races through rain-slicked streets, chased by maniacal laughter and the scent of brimstone. This is the soundtrack of a hunt through fog and fear, where the devil walks in human skin and the city itself seems possessed. The breakdown arrives like a whisper from the abyss, chilling the spine and freezing the breath before the solo erupts like a banshee scream, slicing through the gloom with unholy precision.

As the track barrels forward, the hairs on your neck rise like sentinels. You glance over your shoulder. You see nothing. But you feel everything. Ninth Circle has conjured a sonic specter, a metal incantation that stalks the listener long after the final note fades.

“First Strike” charges from the gates like a warhorse clad in obsidian armor, blade drawn and eyes locked on the enemy. It doesn’t hesitate. It doesn’t ask questions. It lands the first blow with a groove so mighty it feels like a sacred rite. This is an invocation of rhythm and resolve.

This is a warrior’s anthem, forged for those who rise not for glory, but for justice. Ninth Circle channels the spirit of the battlefield, rallying behind the call to defend the weak and the voiceless. The riffwork is a battering ram, relentless and righteous, while the rhythm section marches like an army of the just.

Then the solo ascends, gleaming like a blade catching sunlight on the eve of war, slicing through the clouds before returning to the groove with the precision of a seasoned general. It’s one of the album’s crowning moments, a sonic standard raised high above the chaos. When this one hits the stage, fists will rise, voices will roar, and the faithful will answer the call.

I noticed that Ninth Circle had chosen to cover the Chicago hit “25 or 6 to 4” and was not quite sure what to think. Their take on it storms in like a brass-clad juggernaut, transforming the classic tune into a full-throttle metal tribute. Horns become thunder, riffs blaze like wildfire, and the vocals ride the lightning. It’s bold, it’s ferocious, and somehow, miraculously, it still honors the soul of the original. A salute to the forefathers, delivered with steel and reverence.

Getting back to the metal attack, “Don’t Back Down” charges into the fray with zero hesitation, and is a battle anthem forged for the fearless. Ninth Circle taps into the sacred vein of power metal, delivering a track that pulses with valor and grit. The riffs strike like warhammers, the rhythm marches with purpose, and the message is clear: stand tall, even when the shadows close in.

For every warrior who tightens their armor and stares down the storm, this song is a shield of sound. It inspires and it fortifies. Strength. Honor. No retreat. TO BATTLE!

“Never Die” opens with a riff carved from obsidian, thick and jagged like the edge of a battle-worn axe. It sets the stage like storm clouds gathering over a distant mountain keep, promising trials and triumphs to come. The mid-tempo groove simmers beneath the surface, a slow-burning forge where steel is tempered and heroes are made.

This is a tale of endurance, of a lone warrior tested by flame and fury. Each verse is a footstep deeper into the gauntlet, each chorus a clash of blades against doubt. The rhythm pulses like a heartbeat beneath armor, steady and defiant. Then the solo arrives, and it soars above the thunder like an eagle crowned in divine light. Among the album’s many peaks, this one stands tall as a monument to perseverance.

Up next is “Futuresonic”, and it blasts out of the gate like a chrome-plated locomotive tearing through time, with sparks flying from the rails as it barrels toward a horizon lit by neon fire. The tempo is relentless, a pulse-pounding sprint that never loses its footing in the groove. Ninth Circle rides this beast with precision where lyrics are spit like shrapnel, and the bass rumbles like an engine pushed to its limits, holding the whole machine together with sheer force of will.

This is a track built for the stage, a closer forged to leave scorched earth behind. It’s the sound of a band at full throttle, riding the rails of rhythm into the night. When this one hits the crowd, they’ll erupt, fists raised, hearts racing, carried out on a high that echoes long after the final note fades.

Getting fast and dirty, “Stand and Fight” draws a line in the sand and dares the enemy to cross it. Hard charging like legions clashing on the open plain, this track leaves no room for retreat and only offers the roar of defiance. Dennis Brown delivers each lyric like a battle cry; his voice laced with fire and conviction. Behind him, the unshakable back line holds the fort, pounding out a rhythm that feels like war drums echoing through canyon walls.

A brief but fierce solo pierces the night like a bolt hurled from a warlock’s tower: sharp, sudden, and unforgettable. This is yet another anthemic gem, forged for raised fists and shouted choruses. When the dust settles, “Stand and Fight” remains as a rallying cry etched in steel.

Temptation pulses throughout “Pleasures of the Heart”. The forbidden allure is a slow-burning seduction that threatens to consume the soul.  It conjures a tale as old as time: desire versus destiny, temptation versus truth. The groove smolders like embers beneath velvet shadows, while the lyrics whisper of pleasures too sweet to resist. It’s a dangerous dance, wrapped in fire and longing. Will you hold the line, or taste the fruit and risk it all? The choice is yours. Just remember, the price is eternal.

With an epic and majestic tone, “The Road Paved with Souls” opens like ancient gates creaking wide, revealing a vast and solemn expanse. Brooding and contemplative, it carries the weight of countless lives etched into stone and shadow. The groove is steady, the tone somber, yet it never falters. This is a power metal magnum opus with purpose. As the song unfolds, it evokes the endless march of time, where each soul is a step on a road without end. Past, present, and future blur, and through the thunder of this track, fate itself begins to unravel.

“Move the Mountain” is a classic metal juggernaut that hits every mark with precision and power. A driving riff leads the charge, backed by ground-shaking bass and teeth-rattling drums that feel like tectonic plates shifting beneath your feet. This one delivers yet another anthem to strength, fortitude, and the unyielding will to fight for what’s right. It’s the sound of defiance carved into stone. The command is unyielding, immovable, eternal.

“Burn Like the Sun” ignites with a flash and never looks back. It’s a fast, fiery groove that lifts the fallen and rallies the weary. It blazes with purpose, a final surge of light at the end of the journey. Like an angel clad in golden armor, wings gleaming with eternal fire, the track soars with radiant energy. Ninth Circle closes the album not with a whisper, but with a triumphant blaze that leaves the sky scorched and spirits renewed. TO VICTORY!

Conclusion

Anthem of the Immortal by Ninth Circle is a 13-track odyssey of legendary proportions. The through-line is clear: this is a relentless, uplifting message that rallies the spirit and calls the listener to arms for the greater good. Tracks like “Stand and Fight” and “Burn Like the Sun” blaze with courage, while even darker cuts like “Pleasures of the Heart” leave room for redemption, reminding us that Good always has more than a fighting chance.

It’s obvious that Ninth Circle has drawn inspiration from the titans of metal, but they’ve forged their own arsenal from the raw material. These songs aren’t replicas. They’re weapons of original design, cast in fire and wielded with conviction. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just pure, authentic metal from the heart.

Constructively, there’s room to fortify the mix. The songs are dynamic and powerful, but the low end could use more weight. Frank Forray’s bass lines bounce with energy, yet they often get buried beneath the guitar’s dominance. Richie Brooks brings thunder behind the kit, and while the snares cut through, the kick drums deserve to roar louder. A thicker foundation would elevate the entire sonic fortress.

Still, this is a minor note in the grand scheme. The mix isn’t broken, it’s just a battlefield that could use a few more reinforcements.

Twenty-five years into their crusade, Ninth Circle has delivered a diamond forged under pressure and time. There’s wisdom in its soul, fire in its heart, and metal in its veins. These legends have endured and ascended. They are living proof that Los Angeles is the true home of all things metal.

This record kicks major metal ass! Keep the fires burning!

TheNWOTHM Score: 9/10

Links

Band: https://www.ninthcircle.us/

Bandcamp: https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/anthem-of-the-immortal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninth_circle_official_/?hl=en