Instrumental post-rock is a difficult genre to feed to the mass consumer’s palette. So when critics pegged Russian Circles’ last album, 2009′s Geneva, as having redrawn the musical map, you know they’re doing something right. Now, the Chicago trio is looking to surpass these already high expectations with their forthcoming LP Empros, out October 25th via Sargent House.

Although the band hasn’t released any snippet from the upcoming effort, it’s encouraging to know that producer Brandon Curtis of The Secret Machines and Interpol is on board. And if it’s any hint of what’s to come, their official press release states in a broad, metaphysical tone that “there are riffs, yes – many of them. But, with Empros the entire band seems to be the embodiment of the riff itself.” Or maybe that just leaves you with more questions.

Either way, check out the cover art above and the tracklist for Empros below. And if you’ve never basked in the sonic landscapes of the sprawling, complex rock music of Russian Circles, take a look at the tour schedule and find a show nearest you; more details to be announced soon.

Empros Tracklist:
01. 309
02. Mladek
03. Schipol
04. Atackla
05. Batu
06. Praise Be Man

Russian Circles 2011 Tour Dates:
09/07 – Melbourne, AU @ East Brunswick Club
09/08 – Melbourne, AU @ The Corner Hotel
09/09 – Canberra, AU @ ANU Refectory
09/10 – Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo
09/11 – Sydney, AU @ Hermann’s Bar
09/13 – Auckland, NZ @ The King’s Arm #
09/14 – Auckland, NZ @ Whammy Bar
09/15 – Wellington, NZ @ San Francisco Bath House #
09/16 – Melbourrne, AU @ The Palace ^
09/17 – Perth, AU @ The Bakery
09/18 – Adelaide, AU @ Fowlers Live
11/06 – Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest

# = w/Jakob
^ = w/Monster Magnet