From the inbox:

European hardcore heroes, NO TURNING BACK,

released their Bridge Nine full-length debut, Holding On, on November 14th. They just completed a successful US tour with DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, and will be back in the states in early 2007. To check out their new CD in its entirety, head on over to

bridge9.com/noturningbackecard and give it a listen! Punknews said, “No Turning Back’s newest album, Holding On, is a terrific offering of youth-crew style hardcore with enough modern influence to avoid making it feel dated.” They’re headlining their own tour in Europe this December, so check them out.

Via MySpace Bulletin:

The following SILENT DRIVE dates are with our great friends FC FIVE (from Japan).

1/2/07 TBA

1/3/07 Lemoyne, PA @ ChampionShip w/Crime in Stereo

1/4/07 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar w/Crime in Stereo

1/5/07 Montclair, NJ @ Bloomfield Ave Café w/Crime in Stereo

1/6/07 TBA w/Crime in Stereo

1/7/07 Pittsburgh, PA@ Moose lodge w/Crime in Stereo

1/8/07 Providence, RI @ 230 Oak w/Verse, and Ambitions

From the inbox:

German melodic thrash powerhouse FEAR MY THOUGHTS have returned with a scorching new effort, Vulcanus, composed of 12 ferocious, unrelenting tracks of intensity. This soon to be landmark release is full of captivating melodies and soaring, explosive dual guitar assaults backed by an extremely tight rhythm section. They incorporates elements spanning the entire musical spectrum, successfully bridging the gap between the metal and hardcore genres and creating a vicious hybrid built on speed and aggression that is bound to catch the entire scene’s attention.

The group exclusively uploaded a new song, “Blankness,” to their MySpace page and a video clip for the track is also currently in the works. The highly anticipated new album, Vulcanus, is set for a Jan. 23rd release.

link: myspace.com/fearmythoughts

- I continue to be amazed by the amount of German metal bands out there that tread the extremely fine line between awesome and total corniness. FEAR MY THOUGHTS make sure both qualities are never far apart.

You check out RELIENT K’s brand new song “Must Have Done Something Right” on the band’s pureVOLUME page. The song comes from their forthcoming Spring full-length Five Score and Seven Years Ago, which was recorded with producers Howard Benson and Mark Townsend. Five Score will be the band’s follow-up to their mainstream breakthrough Mmhmm.

ANOTHER BREATH – Mill City

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – Transatlanticism

STRIKE ANYWHERE – Dead FM

PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS – Mercy

KYLESA – Time Will Fuse Its Worth

PROPAGANDHI – Today’s Empires, Tommorrow’s Ashes

The singer (ex-KID DYNAMITE, NONE MORE BLACK) updated his myspace page for ONGUARD with a substantive update, announcing a “spring/summer” recording date, as well as plans for unnamed guest musicians.

Perhaps most interesting of all, Mr. Shevchuk is planning on making the album available on the internet for free:

“I plan on have a website where you can download my entire album for free with lots of other cool stuff.

I’ve never made money making music….why start now?”

link: OnGuard MySpace Blog

RYAN’S HOPE-By the Sword

- “Until I’m underground you know that I won’t let you down!”

Last night Jordan said “I haven’t added a review in two days, please send in a review tomorrow.” Given the time crunch and the normal care that should be taken when reviewing an album, his request presented quite the pickle. What is a reviewer to do? Fate works in funny ways though and wouldn’t you [...]