It’s been a while since a band that truly fit into the “screamo” genre has been around, so that is why it is of the utmost importance that you check out New Jersey’s BLACK KITES. Take a bit of Level-Plane’s roster and mix in former members of bands such as THE ASSISTANT, YOU & I, and THIS SHIP WILL SINK and you have should have a pretty good idea of what this sounds like. The answer? Awesome.

Seattle’s BLACK BREATH play amped up hardcore/punk that oughta tear the studs from your leather jacket. Bringing the wall-o-sound, the group calls to mind influential bands like DISCHARGE, AMEBIX, and POISON IDEA, as well contemporaries like DEATHCYCLE and COLISEUM. The group just released the full-length Razor to Oblivion, and several songs can be previewed on their MySpace page.

From the inbox:

Mystery has always surrounded NJ Art-core and metal aficionados, THE NUMBER 12 LOOKS LIKE YOU. They reveal very little detail about their work, letting fans do the work in discovering all the elements involved. And just as the band created hidden material in their latest DVD Here At The End of All Things, the band has now clued fans in on a very special brand new collectible.

Longtime #12 supporter, Hot Topic will be releasing an exclusive limited edition 7″ from The Number Twelve Looks Like You, a specially packaged “alien green” vinyl collectors piece featuring 2 remix tracks “Imagination Express – Jesse Cannon Remix” and “Weekly Wars – Endor Remix” also found on Here At The End Of All Things.

The 7″ will be priced at an astoundingly low $2.99 a piece, and is limited to 1,000 copies and hits all Hot Topic locations on July 29th!! With such a small pressing, these will not be available for very long, so don’t miss your chance to get it, as this is only available while supplies last.

The Number Twelve Looks Like You are nearly done writing their next record for Eyeball Records and will be popping up here and there for surprise shows in the northeast. Keep your ears to the rumor mill, because with these guys, you never know when they could be in your next door neighbor’s basement in some small college town in NJ.

As promised last week, Florida hardcore label Get Outta Town Records has posted for free download EP from straight-edgers DEA. You can grab the 13 song release, titled Good Guys, here.

It’s unlikely that American Idol will select ARMOR FOR SLEEP’s lead-off tune, “Smile For The Camera,” as a featured song in the next season’s run, but damned if it doesn’t get you thinking that this New Jersey group has a knack for situationist songwriting. ARMOR FOR SLEEP have traveled far and wide since their earlier [...]

Peter Toh is a young veteran of the punk scene, and he has seen a lot from his days a member of YEARLY (THE STRYDER, SAVES THE DAY) to today where he is set to release his solo album “Cleopatra” on Elkion Records. He is a great conversation, and he wears his heart on his [...]

Awesome video of OUTSPOKEN playing in DC in the mid-90s. Hat tip to the Livewire Records message board.

Veteran hardcore/punk/metal webzine Scenepointblank has compiled their annual Mid-Year review. Head over here to read about awesome shows, top releases, things they hate, and so forth.