Russian Circles

Special Guests: Pelican + Fotocrime

Russian Circles is an American instrumental post-metal trio formed in Chicago in 2004. Known for their intricate compositions that blend heavy metal intensity with ambient post-rock textures, the band consists of Mike Sullivan (guitar), Dave Turncrantz (drums), and Brian Cook (bass). Their name originates from a common ice hockey drill, a nod to Sullivan and Turncrantz’s childhood interest in the sport.

• Early Success: Their third album, Geneva (2009), reached the Billboard Heatseekers chart, establishing them as a major force in the instrumental rock scene.
• Sargent House Era: Since 2011, they have been signed to Sargent House, releasing a series of acclaimed albums including Empros (2011), Memorial (2013)—which featured guest vocals by Chelsea Wolfe—and Guidance (2016).
• Recent Work: Their eighth and most recent studio album, Gnosis, was released in August 2022. It was noted for a slightly more direct and aggressive songwriting approach necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pelican is a highly influential American post-metal band from Chicago, Illinois, primarily known for their heavy, atmospheric, and entirely instrumental sound. Since their formation in 2001, they have blended elements of sludge metal, post-rock, and “post-emo stoner deathgaze” to create a cinematic and crushing wall of sound. 

Fotocrime is an industrial-tinged post-punk band from Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 2017 by Ryan Patterson. The band’s sound is characterized by a blend of melodic darkwave and aggressive punk, often drawing comparisons to 80s gothic pioneers like The Sisters of Mercy and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry.