{"id":16530,"date":"2025-12-10T19:30:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T00:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=16530"},"modified":"2025-12-11T17:58:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T22:58:49","slug":"review-circle-of-dust-25th-anniversary-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/10\/review-circle-of-dust-25th-anniversary-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Circle Of Dust – 25th Anniversary Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Review That Never Was\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the 25th<\/sup> Anniversary of the seminal Circle Of Dust debut was released in 2021, I was afforded an opportunity to not only review this but to do an interview with Klayton. For reasons unknown to me, the interview and subsequently the review didn\u2019t happen. While I don\u2019t recall what was going on at that point in my life, I just didn\u2019t feel moved to do much with this. Afterall, Klayton had just released a remastered edition of the debut album in 2016 when he regained ownership of his music. And without more of a story from Klayton himself about what made this version unique I may have felt there would be little to add to my review of the 2016 reissue HERE<\/a>. Who knows?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, when the vinyl version was released in 2022, I once again had every intention to review both the digital and the vinyl \u2026 and yet again, for whatever reason the review never happened. However, fast forward 3 years and suddenly another opportunity arose to interview Klayton in reference to the new Circle Of Dust first time on vinyl version of Machines of Our Disgrace<\/em> which features two new never previously released tracks originally written for the 2016 release. (Original Machines of Our Disgrace<\/em> release review HERE<\/a>.) And so, in retrospect, this review never happened in 2021 and 2022 because the timing wasn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, now the timing is right, and so here \u2013 released in conjunction with the Klayton feature interview \u2013 is the long-overdue review of Klayton\u2019s reimagined Circle Of Dust debut \u2013 remixed, but NOT rerecorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remixed, Not Rerecorded<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For most fans, those initial and original recordings always have a sentimental value, and sometimes when an artist attempts to \u201crewrite history\u201d so to speak, it doesn\u2019t go over well with the fans even if the artist is much relieved to have their true intention for a song or a recording realized. Would wager to say we don\u2019t have that issue going on here with the 25th<\/sup> Anniversary Edition of Circle of Dust<\/em>. Why? I may be wrong but, to be quite frank, this sounds like an entirely different album. Seriously, there is a huge departure from the original, to the point that it\u2019s almost impossible not to imagine much of this having been rerecorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we have been reassured by Klayton (2025 interview) that this remix features all the original guitars, drums, synths and vocals. As discussed in the interview, he just reworked this on a new audio station deploying all the experience he has gathered since 1991 to make this album sound closer to his original intent\/vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revitalized<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As would be expected, the mix is vibrant with enhanced clarity of all the elements. This has the effect of making the songs less noisy and distorted, giving the songs a bit more of a contemporary Circle Of Dust sound. And while I indicated this sounds like a completely different recording, I exaggerated a bit because although this \u201csounds\u201d so much different the basic grooves, melodies and of course the words are all very familiar. This makes sense as the original recording was reworked, not rerecorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the best way to describe, overall, what is going on with these new versions is that they have been brought up to Klayton\u2019s contemporary standard which is a far cry from the \u201cbudget-limited, label-directed\u201d and inexperienced resources available back in the early \u201890\u2019s. Listening to these remixed songs again 4 years later, I have a much greater appreciation for this rendition. And if I was called upon to use a single word to describe my impression of Circle of Dust 25th<\/sup> Anniversary<\/em> Edition<\/em> I would say: REVITALIZED.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Circle of Dust 25th<\/sup> Anniversary Edition<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Important to understand \u2013 and long-time fans will know this \u2013 the track listing on this release follows the 1995 version and not the 1992 version which included \u201cExploration<\/strong>\u201d as the opening track and included \u201cTechnological Disguise<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cSenseless Abandon<\/strong>.\u201d Therefore, the 10 original 1995 release tracks are remixed plus \u201cBed of Nails<\/strong>\u201d and the reanimation of \u201cExploration<\/strong>\u201d in the form of \u201cExploration (Redux)<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, the digital download version consists of the same 12 tracks as the CD, which is unusual for a Klayton release where the digital download usually features plenty of extra tracks\/versions. The triple gatefold digi with hard plastic tray features all new artwork and 12-page booklet with lyrics and artwork (pictured above). Surprisingly, the 2LP black vinyl version (with 8-page booklet) (pictured below) features the 12 songs plus a \u201c4th<\/sup>\u201d album side with 4 bonus remixes and \u201cOnenemy (acoustic)<\/strong>\u201d which was included on the 2016 reissue (disc 2). (see vinyl track listing below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onenemy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps one of the most \u201ctransformed\u201d and \u201cresurrected\u201d of these songs, this remix truly sounds like a completely rerecorded version. While the 2016 remaster improves upon the \u201cvolume\u201d and the \u201cbass\u201d impact, the 2021 remix \u2013 6 seconds longer \u2013 brings the vocals up in the mix with less distortion. This is a vital improvement because these words are so enigmatic \u2013 simultaneously poetic yet intensely introspective, perhaps reflecting a deep conflict or internal struggle to overcome one\u2019s own enemy (self). In general, the sound of the bass drum kick is punchier\/deeper. The middle breakdown section also feels more open, the spoken words more easily discernable. And those scintillating synths just \u201cpop\u201d out in the mix more noticeably. Probably one of the best songs on the album sounds better than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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