- “Easy Listening” the latest release from this jittery Toronto noise punk band. It’s slightly more refined than 2011′s “Ultra Sorta” but still full of pick-up and swirling guitars. I like these guys can sound lush on a song like “Cascades,” and downright feral in other tunes. Copies of the EP are available on CD and tape for those interested.

- Stumbled upon this from the Bandcamp Discoverinator; quality nine song comp of youth crew hardcore from across the globe. There’s a 2010 edition posted on Bandcamp as well.

- Pre-orders for the record have been posted in the Paper + Plastick store. “Brother Brother” features some ragin’ bag-pipe action…

A record like this means WHITE LUNG has nothing to apologize for. Sorry, by WHITE LUNG is a very concise record. It gets in and gets out in 19 minutes. The way I tend to listen to Sorry is in transit. I’m not in one place or another, and because of the repeat all functionality [...]

- Former members of New York punk/hardcore band SIXGUN RADIO have resurfaced in an indie/prog outfit that makes me think of a more constrained MARS VOLTA with bits of FRODUS and MOCK ORANGE. More info about the band is up on their Facebook page.

From the inbox:

We are very excited to announce the availability of BARONESS’ formative material, First & Second, once again as a deluxe vinyl LP! Released by old pals Hyperrealist Records, we have worked closely with our comrades on this fantastic release, and Robotic Empire is thrilled to announce that we are the first (and currently, sole) mailorder/distro operation that has this glorious record available.

Having personally witnessed this band go from basements to arenas, it has been unsurprising yet invigorating to watch the incredible assent of one of the most ambitious bands in heavy music today. BARONESS started their foundation with a solid mixture of punk, metal and rock n roll. First & Second showcases their impressive initial offerings, combined on to one cohesive long-player.

All 38 minutes of material was re-mixed and re-mastered for this re-release, which has just been re-pressed as 2000 LPs: 1000 on opaque purple vinyl, and 1000 on an opaque yellowly marble color. Each vinyl color is a direct pantone match from within the artwork, and beautifully compliment the entire elaborate package. The LP is housed in a doublesided full color innersleeve, which resides inside a glorious gatefold jacket imprinted with a foil stamp on the exterior… all completely enveloped in BARONESS songwriter/guitarist/vocalist John Dyer Baizley’s stunning and elaborate artwork that he has since become world famous for.

Previously referred to as post-metal or prog-metal, BARONESS’ strength in their initial sound is that it truly defies classification. Everything from thunderous stoner riffs to D-beat hardcore aggression, psychedelic interludes to classic metal guitar harmonies, all topped off with powerful, guttural vocals, First & Second showcases a young but capable band changing genre and style as seamlessly and effortlessly as they change tempo. This is absolutely classic material, and we are elated to present it to you today!

Robotic Empire Online Store

- Brand new full-length from this Philly area emo/indie-rock group. They show off several edges of influence, but none more obvious than early GET UP KIDS and they pull it off well.

- Three song, four minute blast of abrasive hardcore from Newport News, VA.