Holidays Post

 So a ways back A389 announced that it had put up the Japanese pressing of the last Pulling Teeth LP put out by WDSounds, who I know nothing about. The pressing is pretty much the exact same as the A389 version except this this piece of paper on the cover. I have no idea how many of these there are? It also came with the Flexi of the band's original demo. This one is on black out of 100. I'm still not in to the Flexis, but I like this demo.

 So I saw online somewhere that Beware had put up some copies of their demo tape a ways back. This is numbered #30 out of 100. I have to say when this demo tape was floating around on the internet I wasn't completely in to it, it wasn't bad but I had mild interest. Now that their 7" has come out and they've blown up, I mean the second press is already sold out of the 7", I'm really happy I did pick this up. That 7" is awesome by the way. It will definitely be one of the best of the year.

 I'm not sure where I got this from, maybe another label in their distro? This is a pretty good 7" and I believe this band just broke up. They were a big deal at Sound and Fury last year if I remember correctly. This one on red is out of 300.

 I was happy to finally get a copy of this from Control Records. This is the vinyl pressing of Bad Seed's second demo. This band ruled and so did the demo. Black is out of 400.

 I know I got this one from A389, so I'm assuming that I got the others above from the same place. These were some old copies that happened to be found by Dom I think. This was a great band and this version on gold is pretty rare, but I'm not sure what the exact numbers are.

Here is my pre-order from the Praise Two Songs 7". This came out really clean. I like the layout and artwork. I wish that the grey vinyl color was tan however. I think a tan or clear would have gone well. White is out of 200, grey is out of 300 and black is out of 400. These are two great songs too.

From React! I also picked up a copy of Police & Thieves Amor Y Guerra LP put out by Salad Days Records.

This is another copy of Splitting Headache that I picked up from Rich of Speedowax Records. Rich messaged me a ways back saying he had printed up some limited orange covers that he was looking to give to some people, so naturally I said I was interested.

As you can see these are numbered out of 10 and has my name on it. Pretty cool.

So I pre-ordered the Ceremony Covers release and I also picked up a few other things. Up top is the fourth press on grey of the Project X 7" and the third press on grey of Ceremony's Scared People. On the bottom is Ceremony's Still Nothing Moves You, fourth press on yellow, Pianos Become the Teeth's Old Pride fourth press on gold/maroon and Strike Anywhere's Iron Front second press on green.

The Ceremony Covers release came out great, they are one sided etched 12"s.

So I've Been Buying Less

But I've still got a huge back log of stuff to post.

So I picked up this copy of On's Control 7". This is the special record release cover out of 100.

On the back of the special cover it is numbered, mine being 19 and it also has the date of the show in big print.

Included with this came a flyer of the show, pretty cool way of remembering the show. It looked like a pretty good line up.

So when the pre orders for the latest Pulling Teeth records went up I think I missed the boat, by the time I got around to looking in to it, one of the pre order versions were already gone. I believe it was on a dark green vinyl. I was able to pick up the other pre order version, on black out of 250. So the pre order press, or first press as you will consisted of those two colors each out of 250 and were the only versions as a double LP. The second press was a much larger pressing on 1 LP I think released with Deathwish. Probably 1,000 or more.

This I picked up from A389 at the same time, this is the second press of Mother of Mercy's III. This is the more common version of the press out of 404. This record is too good.

So Magrudergrind has been a local D.C. act for a while known throughout the world for their incredible grind and power violence delivery. I've always been in to this band since I heard them a few years back, but I never was in to them enough to pick up one of their records. I've seen them live a few times and every time was great. Better band live than on record, for sure. So when I first heard this s/t release I knew I had to pick it up. Recorded at the great God City Studios with Kurt Ballou, this record just packs a great punch. I took a while to finally get this one, but it was worth it.

So I heard about this band Enough not too long ago playing some great youth crew inspired jams. I knew I had to get as much as of this band as I could, so good. So picked up three copies of their When You Don't Think You Can 7". Pink is out of 85, Clear/White out of 100 and Black out of 105. The band self-released this record and they did a great job.

So I also picked up this split from A389. This is Integri-teeth, which is Pulling Teeth with Dwid from Integrity on vocals and Pale Sphincter. I don't think I've listened to this one yet, but anything PT related I want.

Again from A389 I picked up this second press of Harms Way's No Gods No Masters. This copy is on Clear Yellow with Hot Pink Splatter. This one is out of 516. Surprisingly this matches the artwork.

Also from A389 I picked up a copy of Iron Age's The Way Is Narrow. This one put out by Painkiller and on clear is out of 520, second press.

This one I think I may have picked up from eBay? It's the most common version of True Color's self-titled. This one was put out by Not Just Words, on black and out of 525.

So this is the Record Release version of Alert' Find Your Way. I think the boys from the band put this up in their Big Cartel store after the show. I picked one up immediately.

This one is numbered 32 out of 50.

All Over the Spectrum of Hardcore and Metal

So also part of my pick ups from Willem I got a copy of the Pulling Teeth and Shin to Shin split on purple. I'm not sure how many of these there are but I'm guessing it's a pretty limited version.

So I ordered a copy of the Cold World and Sean Price collaboration 12". They put out a song together called How the Gods Chill. The White Glove Group put this one out like a true DJ release. The A side has the Dirty, Radio and Instrumental version of the song. The side B has the same Dirty, Radio and Instrumental versions but this time it's the Remix of the song. They made this artwork very unique, they took a hint from one of the latest crazes right now, 3D. The cover is printed with the special 3D outlines and they included 3D glasses in the sleeve for your viewing pleasure. Though it's not really something I would ever do, it's defiantly a cool thing to do to make the release stand out. This one on red is out of 300. This was the pre-order version I believe.

So there was an exclusive record for Record Store Day this year at Celebrated Summer in Baltimore, MD. It's this lovely Pulling Teeth gem. Tony from Celebrated Summer put out this special release of the Funerary single before the recent Funerary LP came out. Tony had these special screen printer covers printed. I believe this is out of 50 copies. I'm pretty sure I got the last one at the store that day. I was super bummed to not be able to pick up the special Mindset cover for RSD at the store, but that and this were the main things I wanted.

I ordered this European press of the Remission LP from Amendment Records. This was put out by Assault Records, and this version is out of 363.

This release I would say is better than the Amendment records version. The cover is awesome and the insert is great. The Amendment version is awesome, but this one is just more my style.

It's kind of hard to tell that this is purple, but when you hold it up to light it's pretty obvious.

Here we have a record that I've loved for a long time and is probably one of the best metalcore records of the past decade. This is Every Time I Die's Hot Damn! I'm not really knowledgeable about this pressing. This was originally put out by Ferret Records, now I'm not sure who handled the vinyl when it first came out, and I'm guessing this press was not from when it came out. This was put out by Suburban Home Records and is out of 700. I can't believe this band is still going and still putting out some decent material that is still very reminiscent of this record form almost 10 years ago.

I believe these are more records I picked up at Celebrated Summer on Record Store Day. I picked up a few things, this is Youth of Today's Can't Close My Eyes. This was the first time Revelation put it out as a 12", it was originally released by Positive Force as a 7" and then as a 12" from Schism. This press was released in 97 I believe. The black vinyl is the most common from the press, and I have no idea how many there were pressed, maybe 1,000 or so? Oh yeah, Revelation just repressed this again but used the original artwork, which came out much nicer.

So here was one of the best parts of the Celebrated Summer haul, this is another copy of Zao's Where Blood in Fire Bring Rest. It was pressed on Broken Circles about a year or so ago, maybe two. I saw it was a color I didn't have so I wanted to get it instantly. When I got home, I realized that the black color was the most rare, out of 100. I got this for a steal and it was the most rare version.

I picked up this copy of Rotting Out's This is Just a Life a little while ago on eBay. I really don't know anything about this one. This was originally pressed by World Won't Listen Records, but this version doesn't say anything about the label. That would lead me to think that the band made these, or it's a bootleg. I was able to find out via Hows Your Edge, that this is out of 100. That's all I know.

Back to the Mailbox

Now that I finished what I got from the fest, it's time to get back to the normal mail stuff.

Here we have the second press of the reissue of Converge's Jane Doe from Deathwish. So I guess this would be the third press technically. This is another installment in what seems to be Deathwish's attempt to put out more presses on black of past releases. I have no idea what the numbers on this one is.

So I picked this up with one of my A389 orders I think. This is what I think is the second press of Backtrack's demo. I believe this is the mixed vinyl, but I'm not sure. More likely, it's probably a larger third press.

So I traded my extra copy of Stick Together's No More Games on white for a copy on orange. I received two copies on white with my pre order. At first I thought I got screwed out of the most rare color, but really the white is the most rare. Once I put up that I had two copies on white, I got an offer to trade for a copy on orange pretty quick. I knew at that point I could probably get a better deal for it, but I didn't feel like going through the hassle of finding a better trade or selling it. So I took the trade and here is the copy on orange.

So I don't remember where I got this from, maybe eBay? This is the self-released U.S. version on black out of 400 copies. I don't think this band is still active anymore.

I ordered this from A389. This is a live compilation from the A389 2010 Anniversary Show. These were originally sold at the 2011 show, but there were some left over. There are still some left in the A389 store. These 10"s are limited to 200.

I also picked up the second press of the recent Pulling Teeth LP, Funerary. I have no idea what these are limited to, but I'm guessing at least 1,000. This is a much more basic press, not as impressive as the first press gatefold and what not.

So I decided at some point that I wanted to get every copy of the first press of Mother of Mercy's III. So for pretty cheap I was able to pick up all four vinyls. This is a great record, I've got seven of them.

I won two React! rarities on eBay from Aram himself. Both were pretty reasonable too. Up top is the transition copy of Common Causes self titled. This one is pretty rare, only 28 stamped on the dust sleeve. Below that is in my opinion the better but just as awesome record, Praise's Growing.Changing.Healing transition. This one is also stamped on the dust sleeve in typical React! fashion and is out of 55. Two great scores.

I pre-ordered the Turnstile 7" from Reaper. Turnstile is a side project of Trapped Under Ice's drummer, on vocals. It's pretty similar in style to TUI but also cool in it's own right. Overall this is a pretty cool 7". Clear is Pre Order version out of 217 and the blue is out of 830.

So it was announced that there was going to be a repressing of Bad Brains' Pay to Cum for Record Store Day this year. I put that on my mental list to pick up. Before Record Store Day even happened it was posted that the Bad Brains would be selling them on their webstore, so I immediately took advantage of being able to be at Record Store Day from behind a computer, less lines and higher chance of getting what I want. I got all four versions of the re-release. Green and red are out of 250 and gold is out of 500. I have no idea what the black is out of, maybe 1,000?

I'd like to end this post with one of the most beautiful pictures on this blog. This was put on my mail slot of my apartment a while ago, we don't live here anymore, but this is a testament to how many packages I got. The mail guy had to give me my own scan point, so when people send me stuff with delivery confirmation I would be able to see that it was scanned at my front door and then left at the post office for me to pick up at my leisure. Talk about making it in the world, it's like your place or residence gets so much mail it needs it's own tracked location. I have no words.

This Is Hardcore, Part 1

So I was able to go to This Is Hardcore this year. It was great to get to go back this year after missing out last year. The line up was pretty solid. I do have to say that I can no longer do a three or four day fest. It's just too much. I could do two days but anymore just seems like overkill. So I went to Thursday, Friday and Saturday this year. I skipped out on Sunday and missed Down to Nothing, which was the only band on that day that I wanted to see. I was just too out of it to go.

So I missed most of Face Reality's set on Thursday night. They had a pre-cover version of their new s/t 7" from Youngblood. These sold out pretty fast, by Friday I think. This version is out of 75, numbered and stamped on the back.

Sean Youngblood also had a tape with songs from the new releases coming out soon on the label. It has No Tolerance, Face Reality, Give, Police & Thieves, Sacred Love and Mob Mentality. It's limited to 100 copies. I think there were some of these left over, maybe it will be put up on the webstore soon.

This is a special version of Strife's My Fire Burns On. It was made for the fest and is numbered out of 50. New Age did a great job on this thing. The silk screened cover, artwork, layout and details are superb. The record labels are numbered too. Great touch. Strife set was also awesome.

So Stick Together was one of those bands this year that you could consider was a hype band. The local kids like them, no surprise and their merch goes for a lot on eBay. All the things you need for hype. To be honest this band is good, defiantly worth listening too. I hope if the hype dies down these guys still keep going. I know it features members of Bad Seed and War Hungry. They had the new second press of the 7" on clear. The first press sold out pretty quick, especially for 1,000 copies and the bands first 7". They sold a lot of demoes too I think. I'm not sure the pressing of the clear copy. They also had a discography up til now tape. It has the song from the Six Feet Under compilation, the 7", the demo, the live in Toronto tape and I think a cover of a band called Magnus maybe? Cool thing to have either way. Not sure how many of these their are either.

So Robby Redcheeks had a table with some of his stuff in the warehouse across the street from the venue. He had some Dead by 23 releases he was selling for cheap. I picked up this copy of Frostbite's 7". This is the version I believe from the Floorpunch "last show". I'm not sure how many of them there are. I think it's the fourth or fifth press.

So Strength for a Reason played the fest, which they normally do. I decided to pick up the other version of the split they did with Cold World. I got it for Cold World, not for Strength for a Reason. This is on white and I'm not sure the pressing. Cold World killed it at the fest. So good. They get better and better each time I see them. One of the best reactions as usual.

So Pulling Teeth had a copy of their Demo pressed as a flexi disc. These seem to be the new thing to do. I don't really get it. It's just like a flimsy record. It's different, which is cool, but I'd prefer an actual vinyl. This copy is clear and out of only 50. So this was a great pick up. I'm not sure if this was made for the fest or not. Pulling Teeth were great as usual. I was not sure about the latest LP but after their performance I can say it's great. There are so many guest vocals on the thing. Some great tracks on it, and they played them live.

So I think this was a limited copy of Praise's new 7". I'm not sure, but I bought it either way. The pre order was on Black White and Grey, so that was my reasoning to get it. I was happy React was there, but I wish they had made some limited versions of the records for the fest, like limited merch or covers or something. With the showcase, Aram has plenty else to worry about with the limited stuff he has for that in the works.

So I picked up a couple of things from the Six Feet Under table. Up top is the limited fest version of the recent reissue of the Cold World and War Hungry split. I think this is limited to 75, but I'm not sure. I also picked up a copy of the reissue without realizing I made the pre order for it. So I probably already have the one on white coming to me. Below that in the distro I picked up a copy of Not Afraid's 7" put out by Control Records. I've been wanting to get a copy of this and I slept on the pre order for this hard. The copy on black is out of 400. This 7" rules, picks right back up where True Colors left off, with a little bit of a change. I need to find one on green. I wish I picked up the Alert 7" they had, I think it was a special press for Sound and Fury and This Is Hardcore, but it looked just like the record release version, just different colors on the font. Oh well.