- There have been so many different iterations of PROJECT 86 over the band’s lengthy existence that one can never be sure of the direction of the band’s next recording. Outside of the constants of 1) booming, commanding vocals; and 2) groove-oriented heavy rock, everything else a roll of the dice. Picket Fence Cartel doesn’t deviate too much though from the band’s strengths, and will likely draw comparisons to their 2004 Tooth and Nail/Solid State return, Songs to Burn Bridges By. Some of the material still dances close to a nu-metal jig (specifically the chorus in “The Butcher”), but other side to the band reminds me of a bulkier twist on FRODUS’ progressive sound, cynical, skeptical, and critical lyrics included.

Melodic power-pop/rock band JUST SURRENDER will be recording a new full-length this Fall for release next year on Razor & Tie Records. The group, which put out two full-lengths on EastWest earlier this decade, has drawn strong comparisons to TAKING BACK SUNDAY and ANBERLIN. A new song titled “On My Own” is up on the band’s MySpace page.

As Swedish metal behemoths ARCH ENEMY prepare for the “old songs re-recorded with Angela” collection, The Root of All Evil, two songs from the release have been added to the group’s MySpace page. You can check out “Bury Me An Angel,” and “Beast of Me” here. The collection will arrive in three iterations, including a normal jewel case, a limited edition, and the biggie, “Mediabook” which includes three live bonus tracks, extended artwork, and a band patch (whooo?).

Volcom Records’ VALIENT THORR will be crossing through the US and a bit of Europe this Fall and early Winter, and taking along EARLY MAN and RED FANG for the journey for the US dates. Tour stops are available after the jump. THORR is currently supporting their new full-length Immortalizer.

1. The members of BRAND NEW better watch out – if they keep up the press for Daisy and doing actual interviews, they’re gonna lose that sacred “notoriously reclusive” status…

2. So that’s where I left my coaster…

This guy sings for the Oakland, CA metal/hardcore band SUFFOKATE.

3. Looney metalhead/all-star producer Devin Townsend has recorded a new full-length under the DTP moniker titled Addiction. This time around, Townsend shares vocal duties with Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-THE GATHERING). Says Townsend, “Musically, Addicted is along the lines of the big, wall of sound hard rock/heavy metal of Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution (even Physicist at points). It is a very direct and ‘to the point’ album with an emphasis on groove and the chorus. In the past, lots of my records end up taking a kind of Pink Floyd-ish route (between song meandering, etc.) Addicted is really simple: 11 rocking songs with no bullshit.” Stoked.

4. xSTUCK IN THE PASTx has posted a new interview hardcore and punk rock veteran Dave Smalley. It is a multi-parter, and the first section goes into detail about his time with DYS, DAG NASTY, and ALL, and with a lot more to come on the topic of DOWN BY LAW. This site is really beginning to hit its stride and move beyond far beyond being an mp3 blog of out of print hardcore releases from the 90s. Check it out here.

5. Robotic Empire has broken its “no pre-orders” rule for its batshit crazy FLOOR box set. You have to see and read about this thing just to marvel over the effort that went into it… which also explains its $249.99 price tag. Gulp… Notably, the expected shipping weight on the set is 15 pounds.

- This band has improved tremendously from their demo beginnings, especially in the vocals. Hard to not fall for this style of music when well played…

With Fluent In Stroll, BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE makes the kind of drastic departure that usually is found throwing yourself out a window to avoid an impending explosion. I liked Strictly Rude. A lot. I think it’s a masterful ska/punk disc from a band that was always just missing something to take the [...]

- I’ve made several posts about this fantastic covers compilation over the past few weeks and the 31 song offering is finally out in full today. BYO Records has been a wonderful staple to punk rock over the past 25 years and you can see how sincere the appreciation for the label is just by who has earned a spot on the comp’s tracklisting: BOUNCING SOULS, PENNYWISE, OFF WITH THEIR HEADS, NOFX, YOUTH BRIGADE, LAGWAGON, PULLEY, AMERICAN STEEL, DROPKICK MURPHYS, ANTI-FLAG, SUBHUMANS, CH3, THE BRIEFS, MATT SKIBA, LEATHERFACE, 7 SECONDS, and more. It’s just awesome…