Queens, New York indie band FREELANCE WHALES have a free sampler deal going on with NoiseTrade right now. In exchange for an email address and zip code, you’ll get mp3s of two new songs from Diluvia, plus three older tunes from their debut Weathervanes, plus a live version of the new song “Locked Out”. Check it out here.

- I could spend an entire today browsing around the NoiseTrade site. I especially like its integration with where to buy songs from third-party retailers and how it allows an artist to specify their preferred store (which I imagine will always, always, always be iTunes).

- Features brand new songs from DEPARTURES, THE CASKET LOTTERY, MAJOR LEAGUE, EARLY GRAVES, BROADWAY CALLS, TOUCHE AMORE and more. The new CASKET LOTTERY full-length is an absolute stunner and I think it will be a high water mark for No Sleep.

- This the final, and obscure EP from this New Jersey hardcore band. It was the follow-up to the band’s 2008 full-length “Closure”. Recent news from the CAPTIVES camp says new music will be on the way, but under a different band name. FFO: ENSIGN, BROTHERS KEEPER, 0S 101.

With the release of STRIFE’s new full-length, Witness A Rebirth just a few weeks ago, 6131 Records has launched a series of pre-order bundles with t-shirts and posters. One of the examples is below. Please note the ‘classic’ hardcore t-shirt design with back of the shirt displaying a live show image right below the band logo, and above the album title. I gotta order one of these things…

- A Long Island band doing a BILLY JOEL cover? Yes please. More info about the band’s upcoming DIY covers EP can be found on their website. The EP will be available on October 23rd.

- Is it just me, or does every song from a sci-fi themed, new-wave influenced pop-punk band have the exact same kind of intro? Props to this band nonetheless, not so much for this song, but for their classic ode to all-star professional tennis underperformer Goran Ivanisevic. The band’s new full-length, “Your Friend, The Atom” will be out on October 22nd.

- In honor of BATTERY performing in NYC tonight for the east coast part of the Revelation Records 25th Anniversary celebration.

From the inbox:

We would like to welcome 96 To the Hotfoot family. In a genre where loyalty and tradition mean everything, North Jersey’s NINETY SIX not only emulate those sentiments, but expands on them with a take on hardcore that seems to of been lost. Their music is laced with energetic, groove-laden riffs that pays homage to the way hardcore used to be done while staying original. Having already played with hardcore legends such as Sick of It All, Suicidal Tendencies and Cro-Mags, Ninety Six’s sound continues to grow and garnish praise from those who know the band best, their fans.

- (1) Sadly, 97 remains left out in the cold. (2) Impressive new song! Reminds me a lot of fellow Jerseyites, VISION, a comparison I hardly ever need to break out, but wish I could more often; (3) There are a few more demos available to check out on the band’s Bandcamp page.