As one of the final releases from Wrigleyville-based pop-punk kingpins Red Scare, I want to like VULTURES UNITED more than I actually do. The RIYL is THE BRONX, but that same swagger doesn’t really come through. I want to like the lyrics, but they’re not fully developed, or there’s points that seem, for lack of [...]

From the inbox:

THE GHOST INSIDE have posted a new song titled “Through The Cracks” on their MySpace page. The song is from the forthcoming album Returners to be released via Mediaskare Records on June 8th.

The metallic hardcore band is currently touring Europe with Deez Nuts and will be hitting the U.S. with Stick To Your Guns, Abacabb and Gravemaker next week for a mini tour.

- I swear there was a pause like a pitching windup before the first breakdown in the song hits. Another new song, “Chrono” is up on MySpace as well.

From the inbox:

No Sleep Records is proud to welcome the newest members of the family, IOWA’s own, FORMER THIEVES. Since their inception in 2009, the “Botch meets Modern Life Is War” quartet have managed to put in more footwork in a little over a year than mot bands do in their entire careers. Following their plans to tour in support of their recent 12″ EP via Mayfly Records, Former Thieves will finish writing songs for their No Sleep debut. Head over to the bands MySpace now to hear a demo version of “Everything Has a Price, Everything is Stolen” which will be on the bands debut LP out in early 2011. Be sure to catch the guys this summer during their 7+ week tour across the US.

From the inbox:

GOOD RIDDANCE, the legendary pioneers of melodic hardcore, are set to release Capricorn One on July 6th. In between putting out many acclaimed full-length albums, GOOD RIDDANCE kept themselves busy releasing a bevy of material via 7” singles. Capricorn One is a comprehensive collection of all these singles, as well as 6 previously unreleased tracks and other rarities. All the songs on the album have been digitally remastered by Jason Livermore of Blasting Room (Rise Against, Descendents, NOFX) fame. To complete the package, Capricorn One features a track by track commentary written by singer Russ Rankin. Here’s a little taste of what he penned regarding the album as a whole:

“Throughout the history of Good Riddance there have been numerous songs which, for whatever reason, we weren’t able to include on our primary releases. Many of these tunes were frequently played live and most of them are still some of our own personal favorites. Now that we are finished we felt it would be cool for our fans to be able to check out these hidden or obscurely released snapshots of our band during the apex of its existence. We hope they bring back fond memories for our fans and that, even if just for a moment, they can be transported back to a different time and place.”

- Whooooooo!! Can’t wait for this, though some of these songs are indeed very familiar to fans. It’ll be nice to have all of them in one place, just like STRUNG OUT’s recent collections release.  The full track listing is here. Like a lot of FAT bands, GOOD RIDDANCE had very high quality non-album tracks, particularly a song like the very hardcore influenced “What We Had.” Notably the band’s songs from the split with KILL YOUR IDOLS (Jade Tree) are not on here, as they are still in print.

CHANGE OF IDEAS – Crossover (In My Heart): I should be all over this release, but it’s more “good” than “great.” The band plays fast melodic hardcore with a youth-crew slant, think GOOD RIDDANCE showing their 7 SECONDS and YOUTH OF TODAY influences. The problem is that vocals are not very powerful and the quick songs (most if not all are well under two minutes), especially towards the end of the release, trail off in memorability. I love the lyrics, artwork, and the aesthetic the band is going for, but the music needs more development.

ANGEL CITY OUTCASTS – S/T (Sailor’s Grave): I’m still wrapping my head around the idea of a punk rock band taking a Wild Wild West influence very seriously. It’s like SOCIAL DISTORTION’s country/blues direction amplified in an extreme form. Are punk bands even allowed in saloons? No one would care about this off-the-path concept if the music wasn’t compelling, and indeed, these guys are entertaining, with a lead singer who is more like a masterful circus barker than anything else. I guess that’s handy when you’re out dodging flying bottles of whiskey.

HARVEY MILK – A Small Turn Of Human Kindess (Hydra Head): “And still nothing moves you…” That’s the essence of my thoughts on HARVEY MILK. Slow, dirgy, awkward guitars and intestine scraping shouts, for about 38 slow minutes.  Slow. I can appreciate the band’s talent to create such a troubled atmosphere. I just don’t want to listen to it anymore…

AS I LAY DYING –  The Powerless Rise (Metal Blade): I mostly tuned out AS I LAY DYING’s last effort An Ocean Between Us, finding it to be too conservative and rigid. You could predict with great ease when the band would shift into good cop/bad cop vocal mode, and the Euro-metal riffing was high in execution, but low in fiber. It just didn’t have the excitement and rage of their breakthrough Shadows Are Security. Maybe the band felt that way too because The Powerless Rise goes for the throat and is emboldened like LAMB OF GOD’s crankin’ (and similarly situated), Wrath. Or maybe these guys just listened to a lot of ARCH ENEMY before heading into the studio and had that running through their brains. Whatever – this album slays.

Baltimore punk/hardcore band IN THE HOLLOWS (ex-RUINER, current member of PIANOS BECOME THE TEETH) has a new song titled “Theology” streaming on their MySpace page. The track is from the band’s upcoming split with PALA, which will have a June release date on Mightier Than Sword.

- Check these guys out, impressive dual vocals and a lot of tense urgency in the song. I want more!

- Reasons for posting this album trailer: (1) Capes; (2) The Braveheart; (3) Wall-to-wall circle pit action; (4) “THIS ISSSSS SPARTAAAAAAAA!!”

From the inbox:

YOUR MEMORIAL came to Facedown Records from the Twin Cities of Minnesota bearing their self released debut album Seasons, and sporting an impressive touring history. Growing up in the shadow of such hometown bands as Martyr A.D., Nehemiah, and After the Burial, Your Memorial recognized the advantage of following the path blazed by the genre patriarchs and seized the opportunity, as well as the inspiration to make their own indelible mark on the genre.

Your Memorial does just that with their brand of progressive crushing rhythms that meld into ambient swells of melody. Although their influences span multiple genres, their impassioned laser-focus is what makes Your Memorial a stand-out metal act.

Guitarist Willy Weigel gives a peek behind the curtain of the writing process. “Coming into writing the new album we had one main goal in mind, to write songs with more interesting structure and flow while still creating a dynamic listening experience. We feel like these songs couldn’t achieve that goal any better and we’re really excited to get into the studio to record.”

Your Memorial will be releasing their debut Facedown album in the winter of 2010.

- A new demo song, “Endeavor For Purpose” is streaming on the band’s MySpace page.