Greetings Lior, thanks for the invite. We just had a Holiday weekend and several states have eased restrictions a bit so it was a step in the right direction. The US still faces this pandemic with its challenges but I would say there are signs of progress.

I would hope by late this year we could see the light. I'm sure we'll still have much to do to get back to "normal", but the idea is to be continually adapting and improving.  With 50 States, there will always be occasions and areas where people can be irresponsible, but in my everyday life, I say people respecting the measures put in place as well as respecting space and the health of others.

Not close but not too far where we cannot see the light. People are being greatly affected by this pandemic but I think that will help with our will to return to a much normal way of life.

The timing was interesting for us as we had only one show booked at the time. Our drummer Richie was just about done learning our entire catalog and we were in the process of planning promotional shows to support our new CD.  That has come to a halt. We've been making music on our own and will get back together in the new few weeks actually.

Yes, we have a video being released June 4^th and we've been discussing other means of our promotional campaign.

It feels great to be back!  Prior to the pandemic we were playing new songs and we're really catching our stride playing with Richie. He's brought a new energy to the band that it really exciting. It's inspiring to play with this lineup.

Life's circumstances hit us. We played out often supporting "Legions of the Brave" and that continued for quite some time. We met quite a number of bands and more names in the industry. I played a guest solo on Tracy G's (Dio guitarist 1993-1999) last cd for example. By the time we settled down to arrange and record music again, our Drummer Dave Davis started encountering back pain from an injury years prior. We took time off for him to heal so he would be primed for the recording. It was a least a year but we picked up where we left off.

Frank (bass) came up with the concept.  It's the fight against AI taking over the human race. Our mascot on the cover is here to fight for mankind.

I relate more to the songs with a glimmer of hope. Take "Forever More" as an example. The subject matter is about someone growing up in an environment without traditional role models. During the course of the song you find the character in the story emerging with a sense of independence and empowerment that you get through struggle.

We wanted a more stripped down sound on this recording.  More songs which were straight to the point and more like "Classic Hard Rock" than "Power Metal". We used more backing vocals to fill the keyboard void but ensured that each song could "breathe. I would say "Echo Black" is certainly more diverse than our previous recordings. Much of that has to do with Frank's songwriting.  His influences are far more diverse then mine so that makes for a great songwriting partnership and to his credit, he wrote the majority of the songs we selected for the CD.

There's always a core sense of what is "Ninth Circle" musically. And because we are products of our experiences, predominantly musical experiences having grown up in the golden era of metal, the 80's, those experiences are bound to reflect themselves in our music. Bet you will go away singing the choruses of our songs! From our heavy songs, to our fast songs to our melodic songs… that's Ninth Circle!

Richie is an excellent drummer. He knows quite a bit of metal and we often pull out an old Dokken, Maiden or ANY great song to jam to when we are taking a "break" at rehearsal. He had a solid learning foundation so he can play just about anything. The drummer position has been tough for us. However, each drummer served their purpose for what we were doing at the time. Dave's consistency helped us record the last 2 cd's as well as performing several shows with great results.
As you know, the music part is only one part of being in a band.  You have to have a good rapport with anyone you bring into the band so when we've needed to replace someone, we always give it a serious amount of consideration.

"Echo Black" has all the things that define Ninth Circle while taking the audience along with us on our musical journey. As much as it is different, it is the same within the confines of what is, "Ninth Circle". On the "Legions of the Brave" album we decided to be a bit more progressive and the use of keyboard assisted in that musical direction. Frank is a huge Beach Boys and Van Halen fan and they use backing vocals brilliantly. So, this record pushed us in supporting the music with our background vocals. Additionally, I think we delved deeper into our influences such as the "poppy", but heavy side of bands like Accept, White Lion and The Beach Boys by writing in major keys. Interesting, huh?

Interestingly, it's one of the most melodic rhythm sections we have ever recorded. As for the genesis of this song, Frank had the riff sitting around for several years, if you can believe that! He finally worked up the entire song using influences such as the "poppy" German power metal songs like Accept's "I'm a Rebel", plus it pays homage to Loudness too! Lyrically it's based on my adventures in Tokyo once upon a time.

Thank you! This is a fantastic song! Once again, Frank had this song sitting around for several years as well. Then he finally worked it up. Since we were edging toward an even more melodic sound on this record the song fit better with this collection of songs. Lyrically Frank wrote from the perspective of the "American Spirit" however it is also broad enough that it really defines hard work and determination. As a free individual, you can take your own destiny into your own hands. Shadow of Giants just proves Ninth Circle can do anything within the metal genre and still sound like Ninth Circle!

We initially thought of including a cover on this cd since we have on the previous two.  We throw in a cover every now and then in our set but we've noticed that "Warrior" always goes over well, no matter where we play. The decision about approaching Todd Michael Hall and Mike Flyntz didn't happen right away. We've supported them twice in 2014 and worked with them in San Diego on that same tour. They really are all great guys (not to mention an amazing band) and we kept in touch with them.  We were there when they were inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of History and I think it was weeks after that in which we approached them for the collaboration.

You will see Ninth Circle live before you know it! Demand has been increasing in the Southwest U.S. where we most often play and we expect it to increase once Echo Black is released, then it will be all systems go. We don't know what the live music landscape will be like but I can tell you then when it's back, we're ready 1

Thank YOU for the support and good words. This was a pleasure, Cheers !