Digital release, also available as part of the complete 8 disc set "Below and Beyond".
MP3 $9.90
03/30/2010
Digital release, also available as part of the complete 8 disc set "Below and Beyond".
MP3 $2.99
03/30/2010
Digital release, also available as part of the complete 8 disc set "Below and Beyond".
MP3 $9.90
03/30/2010
Digital release, also available as part of the complete 8 disc set "Below and Beyond".
MP3 $9.90
03/30/2010
Digital release, also available as part of the complete 8 disc set "Below and Beyond".
MP3 $9.90
03/30/2010
Digital release, also available as part of the complete 8 disc set "Below and Beyond".
MP3 $4.99
03/30/2010
The improv duo Bad Secrets delivers dark, weird, and hypnotic jams on their debut release. The band, comprised of Evan Patterson (Young Widows) and Dan Davis (Kodan Armada), is built around a guitar-vocal-and-drums foundation. Conceived, recorded, and mixed over three weekends in late 2007, the lo-fi nature of this seven-track mini-album works to Bad Secrets' advantage, setting an overall mood of drunken, haunted desperation. Patterson's unique and twisted guitar twang mixes with distant howls and Davis's rumbling, primal drum work. Bad Secrets successfully channels the energy and soul of blues, the mesmerizing spirit of shoegazer and psychedelia, and the harsher "dropped out of life" elements of desert rock. Seven varied songs (none over three-and-a-half minutes long) are crammed onto this unique nine-inch vinyl record, which comes with an accompanying CD of the same tunes and is housed in a silk-screened jacket hand-made by the band members themselves.
9"+CD $12.00
08/11/2009
MP3 $6.93
08/11/2009
The old expression "like a ton of bricks" doesn't even come close here. The weight of a mountain is what Dial's absolutely crushing five-song debut EP drops. This austere New Zealand outfit successfully channels the darkest corners of the AmRep catalog, the raw ferocity of classic hardcore, the off-time kilter of math-rock, and the concept that music can actually be dangerous. The airtight composure of Dial's debut recording is striking; it focuses more on space and dissonance than technical shreddery. Obscenely heavy guitars collide with bludgeoning percussion and vicious female vocals, making for a downright terrifying listening experience.
CDEP $6.00
06/09/2009
MP3 $4.95
06/09/2009
Every few years a collaboration stands above the myriad split releases that are haphazardly scrapped together. Primitive North is what two strong bands can create when their forces are joined together. Reaching well beyond their debut album, And We Wept the Black Ocean Within, A Storm of Light enters uncharted territories. Fusing delicate melodies with oppressive dirge metal and dense atmospherics, the band has truly come into their own with these two phenomenal tracks. Contagious, hypnotic, and haunting--though no big surprise, considering A Storm of Light is helmed by frontman Josh Graham, who cut his teeth as the visual artist for Neurosis and is a founding member of both Red Sparowes and Battle of Mice. The prolific Nadja, a true behemoth of stark, glacial-paced sludge, delivers another massive epic of blissful genius. The duo's single 20-plus-minute track consists of their patented molasses-thick wall of ultra-dense fuzz and surprisingly tuneful white noise. Shifting from a serene and uplifting aural setting to an absolutely soul-crushing Broadrick-esque industrial nightmare, Nadja is a beast of many faces. Primitive North offers the best of both worlds, as volatile remixes also accompany the original works. Each band has reconfigured the other's material, resulting in re-workings that complement the original songs perfectly. Adding to all of this is stunning original artwork by Graham, packaged in a beautiful five-color gatefold sleeve with a CD version of the same material. Last but not least, the flipside of the remix disc has laser-etched artwork, taking the...
2XLP+CD $24.00
03/17/2009
MP3 $9.99
03/17/2009
MP3 $9.90
03/17/2009
MP3 $8.91
02/14/2009
***A collection of rare, early, and obscure tracks from Virginian cult favorites PIG DESTROYER, and a window into the band's twisted minds. A grinding blast of all-out destruction that obliterates elements of hardcore, thrash, punk, metal, death metal, mathcore, and others in a burst of manic and terrifying devastation.
CD $9.50
11/04/2008
MP3 $0.00
11/04/2008
On Gods and Queens' debut, washes of reverb collide with echoes of shoegazer's catchier moments. There's mature inconsistency here--or, in other words: fast songs, slow songs, and one droning psychedelic blissfest. To quote the band themselves, "Gods and Queens is a three-piece from Brooklyn/Philadelphia who tried in vain to blatantly steal riffs and song patterns from some of their favorite bands (Hoover, Lungfish, June of '44, Spaceman 3, and the like), but failed in every attempt. Instead, here are seven untitled songs that in no way resemble who or what they were intended to mimic. Some have compared the band to a low-rent, depressed version of Fugazi, others to Quicksand without the stop-start timing." Boiled down, Gods and Queens plays an abnormally dark blend of indie/shoegazer/whatever-people-want-to-call-it. No exports to the UK/Europe
LP+CD $17.50
10/14/2008
MP3 $6.93
10/14/2008
FLAC $7.99
10/14/2008
Some time between the present day and the untimely endings of Pg. 99, City of Caterpillar, and Malady, a recording was created and "lost" on the shelves for several years. Five dynamic tracks that collided with both artistic and industry red tape comprise the incredible Verse En Coma debut, Rialto. These delays hinder absolutely nothing though, as the power and sheer intensity behind these songs is borderline overwhelming. Unique, passionate, and soaring vocals compliment the screaming, effects-laden guitarwork and air-tight rhythm section. With distinctive song-structure and five-minute-plus tracks, Rialto is a downright epic EP. Both digital CD and analog vinyl formats are included in a deluxe gatefold jacket, keeping with the high standard set by previous Robotic Empire releases. A long time in the making, Rialto is not only worth the wait, but indicates more excellence to come.
10"+CD $16.50
08/12/2008
MP3 $0.00
08/12/2008
Several years in the making, the long-awaited Jesu / Battle of Mice split is finally available. Each band has two exclusive, lengthy tracks on this limited-edition release. Jesu, comprised of the cult-followed Justin K. Broadrick, showcases "Clear Stream" and "Falling From Grace," two pieces towards the darker end of the spectrum he's created under the Jesu moniker. Battle of Mice contribute the two most sinister songs they've recorded, "The Bishop" and "Yellow & Black." Heavier than the material found on their A Day of Nights debut, yet more dynamic overall, these tracks from Battle of Mice--possibly the final to be recorded by the band--complement the Jesu material well. While both bands utilize traditional "heavy music" instruments, they are also unified by keyboard usage, atmospherics, and other unique elements to vary it all.
CD $13.00
08/12/2008
MP3 $3.96
08/12/2008
Grow-housing the traditional "heavy" sounds cultivated by heroes of the '90s Floridian death metal scene, Richmond, Virginia's Cannabis Corpse brings that same sickening metal crunch back in an overt homage to Cannibal Corpse and the sacred green plant that's fueled nearly 20 years of deviant metallic riffage and skull-smashing drumming. Their sophomore release, Tube of the Resinated, collects evil shredding and devilish melodies of ghoulish hunger, balanced out with steamrolling death metal grooves and set to an old-school battery of blasts and kick-work. Spidery bass lines and growling vocals relate ironic weed-laced tales of gore and murder (with a bit of heavy-handed humor), creating a reality that includes the existence of bloodthirsty bud monsters and mysterious death-dealing weed-cults. Reeking with pungent infectiousness, Tube of the Resinated is a heady death metal release created by members of Municipal Waste, Battlemaster, and Parasytic that will leave you totally stoned to the bone... so roll it up, dude!
LP $13.00
06/10/2008
Wrapping one's head around what exactly Capsule does on their debut album is damn-near impossible, as these three post-ADD maniacs have created one of the strangest heavy-music albums in years. Blue is a confounding conglomeration of blasting time-signatures, galloping punk spirit, and a ghostly vocal chorus that buzzes through a mountain of guitar and bass. Blurry, buried shouts are surrounded by thunderous songs played at every tempo in the punk and metal spectra. Intricate melodies in bizarre tunings sneak their way into an overall unnerving amalgamation of genres, creating an anxiety-filled album of fevered beauty. Capsule sounds like no other band, and this is the most unique and one of the most interesting albums Robotic Empire has released to date. Attempting to keep up with the packaging precedent set by Miami brethren Torche's In Return 10-inch+CD release, Capsule's Blue only comes as two formats together, with a deluxe gatefold jacket housing both a CD and 12-inch vinyl record. A high-gloss spot varnish accompanies this full-color, die-cut jacket with printed black interior. The minimalistic design perfectly contrasts Capsule's varied creations on this stunning debut.
LP+CD $16.50
03/25/2008
MP3 $0.00
03/25/2008
New music seldom surfaces that is so deeply intense, just hearing it may induce instant nostalgia—the ancient sensations when the seasons change, a vivid dream involving first love. In the same way that few can create simultaneously dark and uplifting songs, the Brooklyn-based quartet Ghastly City Sleep hone in on immensely powerful elements and deliver a commanding, breathtaking first offering. When the four tracks spanning thirty minutes on their self-titled debut conclude, you actually feel different. To say it’s “moving” is an understatement. While two pieces nearly reach the six-minute mark and the other two eclipse nine, the album flows with a smooth liquidity, creating one solidified, captivating body of work. The four young men involved in Ghastly City Sleep don’t stick to one instrument for long, as the entire collective plays everything from guitars, keys, various percussion, and just about anything in between. The multitude of layers are accompanied by a warm yet haunting array of vocals, which contributes to making this debut feel epic. • Features contributions by past and present members of Gregor Samsa, City of Caterpillar, Majority Rule, Kayo Dot, and more
LP $13.00
10/16/2007
CD $9.50
10/16/2007
MP3 $0.00
10/16/2007
Sterling, Virginia’s Pygmy Lush’s debut album serves as the culmination of every influence these young men have ever had, all wrapped around each other in what essentially sounds like a seasoned band covering a solid mixtape. Bitter River’s 14 songs span nearly the entire underground/independent music spectrum, ranging from tracks that sound like The Black Heart Procession to Born Against to Tom Waits to The Jesus Lizard to Bob Dylan to One-Eyed God Prophesy to Nirvana to... you get the picture, right? The five fellows of Pygmy Lush have cut their teeth in some of Northern Virginia’s most influential punk/hardcore bands of the last decade or so, including Pg.99, Majority Rule, Malady, City of Caterpillar, Crestfallen, Hissing Choir, and many more. The CD version comes with a 16-page lyric book and two bonus tracks.
LP $13.00
08/28/2007
CD $9.50
08/28/2007
MP3 $0.00
08/28/2007
These two rowdy New Jersey neighbors have lived under separate roofs far too long, finally teaming up to create an indisputably powerful and compelling split CD. NEIL PERRY really shine under a new light with this one; frantic and heavy crunching guitars that aren't afraid to get hauntingly melodic, grooving and soothing bass riffs reminiscent of screamo legends PORTRAITS OF PAST, frenzied drumming with some of the sickest style and most mind-boggling fills, and lyrics at a level of intensity so high, they could only be manically screamed. A DAYS REFRAIN pummel with fast and chaotic screamo/hardcore blurred somewhere in between the lines of old CAVE IN and YOU AND I, but with more passion and sincerity than any other band playing this stuff today. While they won't shy away from getting emotional, ADR doesn't forget their hardcore roots and manages to blend different genres in their own heartfelt and chaotic, yet genuine and original way. Top all that off with the highest recording quality the bands have ever had, and you've got yourself a new model of screamy hardcore fine-tuned to perfection. Comes housed in a slimline case with a tiny 3" miniCD!
3" CD $8.25
07/18/2007
MP3 $2.99
07/18/2007
FLAC $3.99
07/18/2007
NOW AVAILABLE ON MP3 DOWNLOAD!!! "Thoughtspan" consists of 3 long tracks experimenting with the conventions of space-rock or kraut-rock, combining simple yet propulsive rhythms with multi-layered drones and ambience.Although, these tracks may sound like a band, "Thoughtspan" is essentially a one-person record (apart from violin and trumpet contributions), as the songs originated with the drum parts and built up one instrument at a time from that rhythmic base.
MP3 $9.90
03/16/2007
***THE ULTRA DOLPHINS debut album Mar is like the ocean, which in turn is a metaphor for sea of consciousness. The guitar riffs are supple as octopus tentacles, snaking over the fretboard and through your mind’s “aye,” the drummer plays shells underwater like Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, and the bass is the most popular fish in the school.
LP $9.50
11/07/2006
CD $9.50
11/07/2006
MP3 $9.90
11/07/2006
LP $9.75
08/08/2006
CD $9.50
08/08/2006
MP3 $5.94
08/08/2006
***A recently unearthed 2003 recording from Boston natives MIKE DAVIS, DAVE DUNBAR, BROOKE GILLESPIE, BRYANT CLIFFORD MEYER, and THOS NILES, who have gone to play in 27, ANODYNE, ISIS, and RED SPAROWES. A collection of rock-based tracks steeped in drone, and dipped in melody, electronics. Heavy, mildly repetitive and slowly headbanging.
LP $9.75
08/08/2006
CD $9.50
08/08/2006
MP3 $4.95
08/08/2006
FLAC $5.99
08/08/2006
***NOW AVAILABLE ON CD!!! Richmond, Virginia’s GREGOR SAMSA shine bright with two tracks of serene and dark ambient/rock. Haunting and beautifully sung male and female vocals intertwine with atmospheric guitars, keys and string arrangements. Los Angeles’ RED SPARROWES (members of ISIS and NEUROSIS) deliver two moving and intense instrumental creations—one an exclusive new track, the other a phenomenal demo version of a song from their At The Soundless Dawn debut. STREET DATE - 5/23/2006
CD $9.50
05/23/2006
***A twenty-four-track, twenty-two-minute blasterpiece showcasing two of the most ferocious newcomers to the grind/power violence scene in years. MAGRUDERGRIND bring the scathing, thrash/crossover grinding mayhem, while SHITSTORM terrorize with gruffer, speed/death metal-tinged destruction. Packaged with sic artwork from JOHN BAIZLEY (BARONESS).
LP $9.75
03/14/2006
CD $8.25
03/14/2006
MP3 $4.99
03/14/2006
FLAC $5.99
03/14/2006
***A collection of the first “formal” creations from mighty rock beast ULTRA DOLPHINS. Why Are You Laugh showcases the trio’s commitment to confusing/bold songwriting, disorienting hooks and quirky riffs, as they push the limits of math rock and post-hardcore to new heights and lows. Wailing guitars, manic vocals, and a drum-tight rhythm section push an agenda of playful, all-out weirdness. Six-tracks taken from two highly sought-after out-of-print EPs.
LP $9.75
03/14/2006
CD $8.25
03/14/2006
MP3 $5.94
03/14/2006
***Trembled has returned, triumphantly (it was originally released by Utech Records in the summer of 2006 as a limited CDR). This principal live recordings from Toronto has been remixed/remastered and includes a rare performance of Swans "No Cure for the Lonely." The core of the release, though, is “Tremble”, a cascading improvisation of drift and atmospherics revealed to audiences on an occasional basis. The track is telling of the fluidity with which NADJA create and why the band has become so highly regarded. “Breakpoint” and “Corrasion” complete the set. Illustration by Justin Bartlett.
MP3 $9.90
02/14/2006
***The latest from Richmond, Virginia pop-punk re-inventors PINK RAZORS. Sometimes snotty, sometimes dark, yet always uptempo and immensely catchy songs piled high with memorable melodies and powerhouse rhythms.
LP $12.00
01/10/2006
CD $9.50
01/10/2006
MP3 $9.90
01/10/2006
Over the course of their mere five-year existence, Sterling, Virginia’s Pageninetynine redefined what punk rock could be. This venerable squad of miscreants from the outskirts of the nation’s capital incorporated aspects of nearly every heavy music sub-genre into a tornado of punk fury, releasing a plethora of albums, singles, splits and more, touring relentlessly and inspiring a dedicated, diehard fanbase. Robotic Empire is pleased to announce a timely re-press of the band’s landmark Document #8 for availability during their September reunion shows! Each show will benefit a local grassroots organization on the frontlines fighting for civil rights, LGBT rights, youth rights, immigrant and refugee rights, and reproductive rights and justice. This album is the band’s aggressive and creative opus, originally recorded and mixed in a three day whirlwind. It’s been completely remixed by the band and engineer Kurt Ballou (Converge, Godcity Studios) and includes two bonus tracks. Housed in a hand-screened cover and packaged with a large sixteen-page booklet, it does fine justice to Pageninetynine’s legacy.
LP $28.00
09/29/2017
CD $12.00
11/07/2005
MP3 $8.91
11/07/2005
***A reissue of the Fourth Plague - Flies EP from Philadelphia metalcore heavyweights A LIFE ONCE LOST. A vicious five-track mix of furious metal coupled with monstrous hardcore elements, and some of the fiercest breakdowns imaginable. Features mastering tune-ups by SCOTT HULL (PIG DESTROYER) and new artwork by AARON TURNER (ISIS).
CD $8.25
08/09/2005
MP3 $3.99
08/09/2005
***A brand new album from unapologetic Richmond pop punk believers PINK RAZORS. Eight no-holds-barred tracks of driving and melodic punk rock with an emphasis on the “punk.” A teaser EP to an upcoming full-length album. Limited edition of 1,000 copies.
CD $8.50
04/25/2005
MP3 $7.92
04/25/2005
A digital reissue of a 2005 CDR release from Toronto outsider metal duo NADJA—AIDAN BAKER and LEAH BUCKAREFF. Bodycage is a moving, mind altering experience, where magnificent layered sounds run through a massive melodic undercurrent through a celestial sound canvas that runs its course through desperation and transcendence.
MP3 $9.90
02/14/2005
***A limited edition 10-inch EP from Omaha, Nebraska favorites CURSIVE. Includes two CD singles originally released by Saddle Creek to support the band’s Ugly Organ album—you get “Art Is Hard” and “The Recluse,” along with three rarely heard B-sides, “Sinner’s Serenade,” “One,” and “Adapt.” Limited to 2,750 copies.
10" $9.75
02/08/2005
***A reissue of the long out-of-print debut album from Philadelphia's mighty A LIFE ONCE LOST. Includes all nine tracks of crushing, technical, and melodic hardcore featuring the band's original lineup (including VADIM of THIS DAY FORWARD on guitar), along with three bonus live and demo tracks.
CD $10.50
06/01/2004
MP3 $9.90
06/01/2004
***The cacophony created by Swedish metal overlords CROWPATH is astonishingly innovative but more importantly, all-encompassing in its sheer brutality. Absolutely inhumanly fast yet stylish drumming and wild basslines mix with riff after riff of crushing guitar, off-time chaos, and demonic vocals.
CD $9.25
02/03/2004
MP3 $9.90
02/03/2004
***A mighty new EP from Virginia punk demolition team CRESTFALLEN. A fast, heavy, and soul-exploding stench of metal, thrash, screamo, and grind odors, brought on an epic melodic wind, and shredded in a tornado of pit-inducing mosh energy.
CD $9.25
08/19/2003
MP3 $3.99
08/19/2003
***The debut full-length offering from Richmond, Virginia rock blasters STOP IT. Dual shouted and yelled vocals accompany frantic yet jangly guitars, intricate bass lines, and manic drumming. Complex, melodic, and heavy.
CD $8.25
08/19/2003
MP3 $0.00
08/19/2003
MP3 $7.92
02/19/2003
MP3 $3.99
07/23/2001
FLAC $4.99
07/23/2004