Circles

This is the sound of a band that doesn't know how to play at half-speed. Rooted in the DIY scene of Nantes, France, Circles delivers a brand of hardcore punk that is as much about physical impact as it is about melodic tension. The guitars are jagged and overdriven, often bleeding into controlled feedback, while the rhythm section maintains a relentless, driving pace that feels like it's constantly on the verge of boiling over.

What sets them apart is the sheer sincerity of the delivery. There is no irony here; the vocals are shouted with a desperate urgency that demands attention, often supported by gang-vocal reinforcements that make every track feel like a collective anthem. It captures that specific, lightning-in-a-bottle energy of a live performance where the barrier between the band and the audience has completely dissolved.

Start with 'Demo 2017' to hear the band at their most primal. It is a concentrated blast of noise and heart that serves as the perfect entry point for anyone who misses the grit of early 2000s post-hardcore but wants the speed and aggression of modern European punk.