- I can barely contain my excitement on the new STRIFE record, “Witness A Rebirth”. I think this record is shaping up to be akin to LIFETIME’s “comeback” S/T record, which was both excellent on its own and within the context of the band’s tremendous legacy. “Torn Apart” has all elements of STRIFE performing at their best, stylistically in line with the hallmarks of “In This Defiance”, and vocally, aged, but worn-well. “Witness” is out on November 6th, via 6131 Records.

- (1) Great band name; (2) Second “Josie” is not a BLINK 182 cover; (3) Any band that makes a reference to the Chicago School of Economics is a friend of mine (pro or con); (4) As for a sound rec: late-era SCREECHING WEASEL where the snot mostly left Ben’s voice and we all learned he could actually sing. Kind of a chill vibe on the first two songs, caught me off guard but it let the vocals leave a mark.

- Put together by Change 4 Change Records. Available for download for $2 (or more) with all proceeds going to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society.

Screamy bursts of hardcore goodness. The band has a new EP out now on iTunes and the Wisconsin cassette label, Worthless Recordings.

- This would be better if the lyrics were coming out of the mouths of the tiger and wolf in the static image. And if the snakes were dancing… and maybe some fire coming out of that crown. Anyone else feel dumb watching a lyric video and waiting for something cool to happen?

- Not one leaf in the forest in this video was left without intimidation. Mission Accomplished.

On the “Likes / Dislikes” musical chart of my life, the INTEGRITY/”Holy Terror” collective of bands started firmly on the dislike side when I was a teen, as I was generally fearful of bands with fans that were seemingly enthralled with physical violence (and long sleeves). But a migration to the “likes” side started more [...]

From the inbox:

Wednesday Oct 10th, 2012

• BATTERY
• HIGHWAY CROSS
• POLICE & THIEVES

The Red Palace
1212 H Street NE Washington DC 20002
Doors @ 7pm / Show @ 8pm
FREE / ALL AGES
FREE! – LIMITED AVAILABILITY-FREE TICKETS “ON-SALE” FRIDAY 9/28 @ NOON

- (1) Looks like this is a warm-up show before BATTERY visits NY for the East Coast version of Rev 25; (2) BATTERY!!! SHOW!!! DC!!! BATTERY!!! MCTERNAN!!! FREE!!!