Russian Circles is a three piece instrumental rock/metal band from Chicago. Russian Circles play instrumental, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages. They are also known for their energetic live shows, which include tours with Minus the Bear, Chin Up Chin Up, Coheed & Cambria, Mono, and Pelican as well as an appearance at the 2006 SXSW.^[1] They were also the opening band for Tool while playing in the United Kingdom for their 2007 tour. Their name is taken from a drill exercise used in the game of ice hockey.

History

Formed in late 2004 by guitarist Mike Sullivan and bassist Colin DeKuiper (both formerly of instrumental band Dakota/Dakota), they quickly recruited drummer Dave Turncrantz, formerly of St. Louis band Riddle of Steel.

In the autumn of 2007, it was announced that the band had parted ways with Colin DeKuiper. As a result, the bass tracks on their second album, titled Station, were handled by ex-Botch/These Arms Are Snakes bass player Brian Cook. The group's third full-length, Geneva, was released on October 20, 2009 and reached #24 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

Sound

When performing live, the band is noted for being able to replicate and even expand upon their recorded material through Sullivan and Cook's use of sampling, extensive array of effects pedals and loop pedals to build layers of sound. The sound is reminiscent of later Kill Sadie albums.