Melbourne Alt Metal titans Circles have upped the ante for the new era of progressive heavy music with another new single, ‘Dig’. This next chapter (via Wild Thing Records) also marks the announcement of their long-awaited EP, ‘The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1’.

Following on from Circles’ sophomore LP, ‘The Last One’ (which garnered international recognition and domestic success), the prog giants are releasing an epic two-part EP, with ‘The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1’ making for the first instalment.

‘Dig’ continues where previous single, ‘Sleepwalking’ left off, portraying the process of piercing together existentialism and identity to rekindle connection with oneself, which had previously dwindled to a flicker. Where ‘Sleepwalking’ encompasses the realisation of the cathartic state, ‘Dig’ marks the first step towards change, and leaves from for four more tracks to shape the meaning of this next EP.

Whoever says there’s no room for cowbell in heavy music, eat your words. ‘Dig’ starts with a flat-out percussive groove, utilising thunderous kick and djent guitar riffing, and multiple percussive bells echoing that riff hook that is undeniably head-nodding good. There’s a touch of a pop/rock sensibility to the structure of ‘Dig’, which, while it still uses the tools of modern djent/progressive metal, including fat breakdowns and cold synths for dynamics, Circles have created a more palatable metal dish for a more mainstream audience to digest. A lot of current djent/progressive releases can come across as bloated, whereas Circles have taken a more balanced approach combining groove, riffing, an anthemic bridge (with a clever pulsing synth that mirrors the vocal melody), and a hell of a massive chorus, all into a neat sub-4-minute package. More of this please.

'Dig' marks the first steps taken to enforce this change in your life. Instead of living in the hole of complacency and familiar surroundings, 'Dig' is about battling the mind to muster up the strength and rise through the grit of one's metaphorical grave, even if this is only finding motivation to leave the house.

Frontman Ben Rechter speaks on the theme behind 'Dig':

“This is all about those first steps out of that dark hole. Your mind fights against you, and everything feels like it’s not going to work, but it’s not necessarily about success, at least not in the beginning. It’s about starting to change what you need to change, even if on the first day, all you can do is make sure you step outside and see the sun."

'Dig' was mastered by Luke Cinacotta (Karnivool) and mixed and produced by Circle’s own Ted Furuhashi, showcasing his prior experience on Twelve Foot Ninja’s debut album – Silent Machine.

Concluding their successful Australian ‘Sleepwalking’ Tour (Destroy All Lines and Wild Thing Presents) in early September, Circles have already reignited their loyal Australian fanbase and left their international community cut and craving. Prior touring history across Australia and Europe with TesseracT, Periphery, Opeth, Fear Factory, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Twelve Foot Ninja cement the veterans' place as one of Australia’s quintessential prog/alt metal mainstays.

Don’t miss the next entry in Circles new chapter with ‘Dig’ dropping on September 14 alongside an accompanying art music video and ‘The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1’ landing on November 25.

Pre-order 'The Stories We Are Afraid Of | Vol. 1' now via Wild Thing Music Store.

‘Dig’ is out now on all streaming platforms.