Since recording 2002's Sunrise, the core line-up has consisted of Lehtisalo with keyboard player and singer Mika Rättö, drummer Tomi Leppänen, and guitarist Janne Westerlund, playing more heavy metal-oriented music though continuously influenced by krautrock band Faust.

Circle member have participated in a great number of side projects and split-offs, including stoner rock spin-off Pharaoh Overlord.

Other projects featuring members of Circle include Steel Mammoth, Ektroverde, Janne Westerlund's Plain Ride, Lusiferiinin Armosta, K-X-P, Aavikko, Lehtisalofamily, Split Cranium Moon Fog Prophet, and Doktor Kettu.

[4] The group made its 32nd full-length album, Terminal, available for streaming on Soundcloud shortly before its official release on Southern Lord Records on 23 June 2017.

[5] In November 2021, Circle released Henki, a collaborative album made with English musician Richard Dawson, on Weird World (an imprint of Domino Recording Company).