Maryland’s xLOOKING FORWARDx have been a familiar name in the MD/DC/VA scene for years and after a couple of successful releases on Blood and Ink, they’re prime for a breakout release on the almighty Facedown Records. These guys personify the category of Christian Hardcore. Strongly influenced by their religious beliefs, and an overall infectious positive [...]

CARCASS – Heartwork

ARSIS – United In Regret

IRON MAIDEN – The Number Of The Beast

DIMMU BORGIR – Death Cult Armaggedon

CHILDREN OF BODOM – Follow The Reaper

CELTIC FROST – Monotheist

(Note that there are six releases listed. Get it?!?!!?!)

- Hey Alex — You left off the AIDEN! – Jordan

One of my favorite PR/Publicity companies, Earshot Media has a brand new website — earshotmedia.com. At the site you can find a ton of news about all of the bands Earshot works with as well audio streams, photos, and so forth.

- Congrats on the new site Mike!

From the inbox:

After months of meetings, dinners, drinks, visits, plane rides, baby showers, weddings, divorces, and 8th grade dances with indies and majors alike, we grabbed our pens and inked some crazy business with the handsome staff at Doghouse/Warner. They’re super supportive of everything we’ve done and believe in the direction we’re going. We couldn’t ask for better people to be involved with.

They’ll be re=releasing our last record, All At Once, completely remixed, with four additional tracks, at the end of January. The new version of the album is like night and day in comparison with the original. We hope to have a new song or two available in the next few weeks so keep an eye out.

We’ll also be playing the Doghouse CMJ showcase this Saturday at The Annex in NYC with The Honorary Title, Army of Me, Meg and Dia, Weatherbox, and Jet Lag Gemini. The show is 21+ with partial general admission. Tickets are only $5, but will only be available at the door on the day of the show. The event will also be sponsored by Brooklyn Lager, who will be providing an open bar (woohoo!) while supplies last!

Lastly, we leave this weekend for our midwest tour with A Change of Pace. We will be joined on select dates by Quietdrive! So check out them shows!

- I reviewed PAULSON’s All At Once here. I’m sure the remixed version of this will sound incredible.

1. NERVE GAS TRAGEDY – No Tomorrow

2. SLAYER – Reign In Blood

3. CANCER BATS – Birthing The Giant

4. TRAIL OF DEAD – So Divided

5. ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE – This Is A Spark of Life

I read today that Kill Rock Stars will be closing down its 5 Rue Christine imprint. This got me thinking about imprints that have met similar fate, a list of which is below. I’m continually surprised to see labels start imprints as each imprint always struggles from the same twin set of problems: (1) having to build up name recognition again; and (2) confusing fans on why the signed band wouldn’t fit on the parent label. The exceptions to the rule have seemed to figure out answers to this — Anti and Hellcat for example, are under the Epitaph umbrella, but each has its own personality, potentially different audience, and style of marketing and image.

A few side labels that didn’t work with the main dish:

Crisis (Revelation)

Honest Don’s (Fat)

Rushmore (Drive Thru — this one may still be on life support)

Brightside (Blackout)

Division 36 (Bridge Nine)

Heroes and Villains (Vagrant)

In our “Cut and Paste” media player you can now stream the brand new full-length from Boston’s RIGHTEOUS JAMS, titled Business As Usual. The nine song, 24 minute release is out now on Abacus Recordings.

purchase: Interpunk

From the inbox:

Beginning October 31st, THE HONORARY TITLE is offering a sneak peak at new material from the New York-based band’s anticipated second album, which is due out on Doghouse/Warner Bros. Records next year. Fans can visit PureVolume or MySpace and stream an MP3 of an early, raw track entitled “Untouched and Intact,” which, though still unmastered, provides a great taste of what’s to come.

THE HONORARY TITLE has nearly finished recording its new album at Bomb Shelter in Los Angeles with producer Rob Schnapf (ELLIOT SMITH, BECK, FOO FIGHTERS). In the meantime, fans can catch the band’s return to New York City where they will showcase new songs at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon, appearing at the Doghouse Records’ showcase with ARMY OF ME and MEG AND DIA at the Annex on November 4.

-I’m not aware if Doghouse has some sort of connection to Warner Bros or if the major simply bought out the band’s remaining contract, but I find it interesting that this band has made it to the majors and am excited to see what comes next for them.