I’ve probably used the word “juggernaut” a little too liberally in the past in describing heavy bands, but A LIFE ONCE LOST definitely qualifies for the designation. Hunter is a seriously massive slab of technical metalcore. Using its pre-packaged imagery, Hunter is much more powerful than an end-game of shoot to kill. This album is [...]

The last few days have been…uncomfortable. I write this laying awkwardly on the floor of my new apartment – too much work to set up the desk. It’s not that I’m too lazy to unpack; it’s just between bagging groceries and staying sane, I haven’t started the get-my-life-on-track process. The trip to the fridge is [...]

For those attending the Sound and Fury Festival, keep on the lookout for a free CD multilabel sampler from 1917, Malfunction and Rivalry Records. Bands appearing on the compilation include: Guns Up!, Ceremony, Verse, Another Breath, Bitter End, Attitude, Ruiner, Learn, Betrayed, The First Step, Right On, Bracewar, Eaten Alive, Internal Affairs, Go It Alone, Meltdown, and Allegiance.

- Great line-up! Somebody save me a copy.

- UNEARTH has posted a new song titled “Giles” on the Ozzfest media page.

- Google debuted its new online wallet feature today called Google Checkout which allows for express shopping at online stores and provides incentives for online store operators to participate in Google’s AdWords program. Interesting stuff.

- Vagrant is offering people a free CD from their entire catalog to those who send in a proof of purchase of the new DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL release Dusk and Dawn. Details are here.

- The CANCER BATS have joined up with Abacus Recordings for the US release of their new album Birthing the Giant. Abacus continues to sign bands like they’re the New York Yankess of hardcore/metal labels.

- Two thumbs up to the “physically enhanced” woman on the train home with the shoulder tattoo that read “Tiny.”

- The new RISE AGAINST is chock full of excellence. It’s a pleasure to listen to a band that’s actively hitting its stride.

- Indiehq recently chatted with Asian Man’s Mike Park about the label’s recent 10th Anniversary. Park’s operation is a true inspiration and he seems like a class act all the way around.

- Philly’s metal warriors THE DIVINING have a new demo track posted on their myspace page.

- KILLING THE DREAM and RUINER are on tour together through the US in July. Go see them.

- Hey STRUNG OUT! Give us an update! The last time you updated your website was in April. Show the fans some love!

- Speaking of STRUNG OUT, I have an urge to reprint some lyrics from “Too Close To See,” as they have had particular importance to me over the past week with regards to being the operator of a fairly popular music site.

Some times you get too close to see

Don’t stare to hard, just take a look around…

On drummer Vinnie’s blog, he announced that THE LOVED ONES are to be touring with the group in America, and the Gainesville five piece is waiting for responses from SMOKE OR FIRE, RX BANDITS, and NEW MEXICAN DISASTER SQUAD, for presumably the same tour.

In Australia, LESS THAN JAKE will be in the company of A WILHELM SCREAM.

Openers for Europe and UK have not been announced, and tour dates are not available yet.

-LESS THAN JAKE/LOVED ONES? Stoked.

Our friends over at Invisiblelimb.net have a new layout up complete with new music up via streamable mp3 player. (Similar to the one we have) Give it a peek.

Headcount Records has launched their webstore with a plethora of awesome titles. There’s a notable 7″ distro too that is worth a look. You can visit the store here.

There’s some cool stuff on this record by THE AUTUMN OFFERING. Revelations Of The Unsung is their latest release on Stillborn Records, and it’s definitely an entertaining one. This album would appeal more to the metal crowd than anything. It has lots of guitar noodling, with heavy riffs and vocals. It’s fast, but at times [...]