FROM FIRST TO LAST has a list of obsessive fans and spirited detractors that seemingly stretches 100 miles long. Everything about this band attracts attention – a youthful singer who’s still finding his own voice; a ‘studio-only’ bassist by the name of Wes Borland; an on-stage/magazine cover make-up set that rivals Davey Havok and Gerard [...]

Solid State rockers HASTE THE DAY have made available another new song from their upcoming third full-length Pressure the Hinges. You can listen to the song “Stitches” on the group’s myspace page.

Syracuse, New York’s UNHOLY have added the song “A Whisper In Darkness” to their myspace page. The track comes from the hardcore band’s debut Blood Of The Medusa, which will be released on Lambgoat Records later this year. The group features current and ex-members of ANOTHER VICTIM, THE PROMISE, THE PATH OF RESISTANCE, and WHEN TIGERS FIGHT.

- Woah! I would only expect complete awesomeness from the fellas at Lambgoat (it’s within the territory of running a zine) and this song is stellar in all the right places. Distinctive sounding vocals, disturbingly heavy guitars and drumming, and a killer recording style. Game on!

I guess when there’s nothing else to write…

From today’s Washington Post:

“Shaant Hacikyan, lead singer of newbie teen idols Cute Is What We Aim For, has done something unprecedented in rock history. He’s made the comb-over sexy.

But the Cutesies do have Hacikyan’s hair, which is unquestionably the focal point of the band’s teen-idolness. While flipping through the group’s debut record, “The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch,” Hacikyan wiped his wild auburn mane over his eyes and in front of his face every few seconds, always with great drama.

link: Read the entire hair analysis…

-…and his hair is of much interest in the band’s cover story in the latest Alternative Press. Shaant explains that he keeps his hair long for the mere fact that he’s still young and it covers up his acne… – Corey

AS a timely follow-up to yesterday’s post about the New York Times article on IGGY POP AND THE STOOGES, Virgin Records unveiled a brand new song from the group’s upcoming album The Weirdness. You can check out “Free and Freaky” at the links below (no mp3… booo…. hisssss):

- Windows

- Real

From the inbox:

KILLING THE DREAM will be recording their second full length for Deathwish at the Magpie Cage with J. Robbins in early May.

CONVERGE is adding another disc to their Long Road Home DVD and re-releasing it April 3.

The THIS IS HELL vinyl is still coming. No word on when it will be released.

As always, Mr. Bannon’s solo double CD under the DEAR LOVER monkier has no release date, but is promised soon on Icarus.

From the inbox:

The New England Metal and Hardcore festival, presented by ESP Guitars & Basses and Krank Amps, is set for Friday, April 27 and Saturday, 28 with a Friday night headline performance by Norwegian black metal sensations DIMMU BORGIR and a tribute to Metal Blade Records’ 25th Anniversary to cap off the festival on Saturday night.

The festival will join forces with Metal Blade this year to celebrate the label’s 25th anniversary. Numerous Metal Blade bands will perform on Saturday in tribute to the long-standing, highly respected metal label, in addition to a once-in-lifetime performance that will bring together musicians from Metal Blade’s stellar roster of bands.

Additional bands confirmed for Friday are: Bury Your Dead, Devil Driver, Satyricon, Walls of Jericho, Kataklysm, Kylesa, Skinless, The Devil Wears Prada, All Shall Perish, 100 Demons, Nora, The Human Abstract, Still Remains, Thy Will Be Done, Nachtmystium, December Aeterali, Merauder, Death Before Dishonor, Suicide Silence, Beneath the Massacre, Skeleton Witch, Stick to Your Guns, The Faceless, Blood Runs Black, Dead Hearts, xDeathStarx, Palehorse, Bloodlined Calligraphy, and The Funeral Pyre.

Saturday’s performers include: Unearth, Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Red Chord, Job for a Cowboy, Lizzy Borden, Goatwhore, I Killed the Prom Queen, Shai Halud, Since the Flood, Demiricous, Hallows Eve, Cellador, Beyond the Embrace, The Architect, Animosity, Psyopus, If Hope Dies, Ed Gein, The Absence, Gaza, Forever in Terror, Apiary, Sons of Azreal, The Destro, and The Network.

The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival take place at the Palladium, located at 261 Main Street in Worcester, Mass. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, March. The cost is $35 for a one-day pass and $65 for a two-day pass. Tickets will be available at all Strawberries and FYE Stores, online at tickets.com, or by calling 1-800-477-6849.

I merely disliked ANTI-FLAG before For Blood and Empire. Now, that dislike has turned to a surprised and grudging props. Seemingly more pronounced than in previous releases, For Blood and Empire takes very, very heavy cues from the BOUNCING SOULS in terms of endearing “woahohohohs” and persuasive backing vocals, while always keeping a sterling guitar [...]