Russian Circles

Russian Circles with Primitive Man

Prepare for an intense night of instrumental post-rock, crushing metal, atmospheric textures, and uncompromising sonic experimentation when Russian Circles and Primitive Man take the stage on Thursday, November 12, 2026. With doors opening at 7:00 PM and the show beginning at 8:00 PM, this powerful double bill brings together two of heavy music’s most immersive and uncompromising acts.

Chicago-based instrumental trio Russian Circles have spent more than two decades building a reputation for consistency, ambition, and extraordinary live performances. Guitarist Mike Sullivan, drummer Dave Turncrantz, and bassist/keyboardist Brian Cook have developed a sound that draws from post-rock, progressive music, hardcore, metal, krautrock, and experimental composition without settling comfortably into any one category. Their music is built around tension and release, moving from delicate melodies and hypnotic rhythms to enormous walls of distortion and seismic climaxes.

The band’s latest chapter, Nine, continues their disciplined evolution. Recorded with longtime collaborator Kurt Ballou, the album combines massive guitar tones, intricate rhythmic patterns, electronic textures, and carefully constructed long-form compositions. Tracks such as “Borehole,” “Empath,” “Eluvial,” and “Meridian” demonstrate the group’s ability to create expansive instrumental narratives without relying on vocals or conventional song structures. Instead, Russian Circles use dynamics, repetition, texture, and sheer volume to tell stories and evoke vivid emotional landscapes.

Joining them is Primitive Man, bringing an even darker and more abrasive dimension to the evening. Known for their crushing approach to extreme metal and their ability to create an atmosphere of overwhelming weight and intensity, Primitive Man’s performance provides a stark counterpoint to Russian Circles’ expansive instrumental compositions.

Together, these two bands create a bill designed for listeners who appreciate heavy music as an immersive experience. Expect thunderous low end, intricate musicianship, hypnotic passages, and moments of overwhelming sonic force.

Russian Circles with Primitive Man
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 8:00 PM

For fans of post-rock, sludge, experimental metal, hardcore, and boundary-pushing instrumental music, this is an evening built around atmosphere, intensity, and the transformative power of sound.