October 31, 2009

New FLOOR feature, old TORCHE interview (wtf?)


Our man Steve Brooks has recently gotten some e-ttention on the ol' blogosphere, with a newly posted writeup on the massive FLOOR box set, and a freshly unearthed TORCHE interview conducted a couple years ago.

Longrunning Canadian rag Exclaim! has posted a writeup about the FLOOR - Below & Beyond Box Set, including this little gem:

"this stands as one of the coolest/geekiest things out there"

We couldn't agree more. Click here to read the whole thing.

Fairly related to that, Mental Funeral has posted an old interview with Steve from a couple years back, mostly regarding TORCHE. It covers a variety of topics including the weird reactions they got from MOGWAI's fanbase, the early incarnation of In Return as a 7", and this awesome reply when asked about the unreleased FLOOR material:

"The discography probably will never happen"

CLASSIC. Well, glad we proved him wrong! Click here to read the whole thing.

The massive Below & Beyond Box Set is still available for pre-order, but things are entering various stages of production and we will undoubtedly take the pre-orders (and exclusive t-shirt offer) down at some point to prepare for it's actual existence! Yep, we're inching closer to the physical release of this unreal 10xLP, 1x7", 8xCD complete discography... so if you want to get in on the pre-order for this beast, now is the time.

* PRE-order the FLOOR box set @ Robotic Empire's Online Store

* Preview 10 tracks (8 previously unreleased) from this beastly set at the FLOOR myspace page

October 26, 2009

ROBOTIC EMPIRE - Online Store Update - New items & restocks

This week's update for the Robotic Empire - Online Store is mostly encompassed of Import vinyl and CDs. A variety of genres are covered here, pretty much heavy stuff from across the board. Hardcore, grind, screamo, black metal and more... here's the latest:

NEW ITEMS:
* About Face - Self-Titled - 1-SIDED VINYL 7" (Bear Distro) $7.99
* Black Anvil - Time Insults The Mind 12" (Monumentum) $13.99
* Black Cross - Widows Bloody Widows CD (Reflections) $11.99
* Blacklisted - The Beat Goes On CD (Reflections) $11.99
* Call Me Betty / Werewolves - Split - PINK COLORED VINYL 7" (Bear Distro) $4.99
* Cursed - III, Architects Of Troubled Sleep CD (Reflections) $11.99
* Elder - Reflect - YELLOW BLACK COLORED VINYL 12"+CD (Forge Again) $11.99
* Fell Voices - Self-Titled 12" (Human Resources) $12.99
* Hellshock - Only The Dead Know The End Of War - PURPLE COLORED VINYL 12" (Yellow Dog) $13.99
* Her Breath On Glass - What We Left Behind (Singles Collection) 12" (Bear Distro) $9.99
* Her Breath On Glass - What We Left Behind (Singles Collection) Cassette (Bear Distro) $4.99
* Her Breath On Glass - What We Left Behind (Singles Collection) CD (Bear Distro) $7.99
* Iron Age - Constant Struggle 12" (Reflections) $13.99
* Memento Mori - Self-Titled 7" (Agipunk) $4.99
* Nihill - Krach 2x12" (Monumentum) $15.99
* Only Living Witness - Prone Mortal Form / Innocents 2x12" (Reflections) $15.99
* Trash Talk - Self-Titled 12" (Reflections) $13.99
* Unholy Grave - Grindignation - BLUE BLACK SMEAR COLORED VINYL 7" (Death Agonies & Screams) $8.99
* Vitamin X - Full Scale Assault 12" (Tank Crimes) $13.99
* Werewolves - Grind Melon CD (Bear Distro) $7.99
* Wolfbrigade - Prey To The World 12" (Unrest) $13.99
* Wyqm - Self-Titled - YELLOW WITH BLACK SPLATTER COLORED VINYL 12" (Death Agonies & Screams) $9.99

RESTOCKS:
* Elder - Self-Titled 10''+CD (Forge Again) $10.99
* Kayo Dot / Bloody Panda - Split 12" *COLORED VINYL* (Holy Roar) $14.99
* Thou - Malfeasance / Retribution 10'' *VINYL* (Feast Of Tentacles) $16.99

Pretty skinny overall this time around, but that's chill considering the size of last week's update. Also, to everyone who's pre-ordered the FLOOR box set thus far, we've recently updated the website covering the progress of this beast so check that out if you've pre-ordered the box set. Under 150 copies remain available, so please hit it up here if you're interested.

And last but definitely not least, we're bringing another band onto the label. ACROSS TUNDRAS will see their next full-length, Old World Wanderer, released by us as a 12"+CD in early 2010 and we're pretty psyched about it. There's a lot more to be said about this (including a link to free-download their last release in its entirety), so we encourage you to click here to read more.

p.s. we've also started adding new & old Robo songs for free download via GimmeSound. This site reminds us of olden days of free-MP3-yore (mp3.com, hxcmp3, etc), so hopefully we can eventually stack this page out as much as we blanketed those old sites way back when. Mostly newer stuff is up there now (including a few things not previously available for download) so check it out when you get a chance.


Thanks / peace!
Robotic Empire - Online Store

OTHER CRAP:
Robotic Empire's Twitter
Robotic Empire on Myspace
Robotic Empire on Facebook
Robotic Empire's email list
Robotic Empire's news blog/archive
Robotic Obscurities free audio archive
Robotic Empire's youtube channel
Robotic Empire Wholesale
Robotic Empire's main website
Robotic Empire at GimmeSound (free audio downloads)

Robotic Empire to release ACROSS TUNDRAS new album, free downloads posted


Robotic Empire is excited to announce the upcoming release of ACROSS TUNDRAS' forthcoming full-length, Old World Wanderer. Recently relocated from Denver, Colorado to Nashville, Tennessee ACROSS TUNDRAS have realized a long-evolving sound that merges elements of doom and drone with psychedelic rock, folk and traditional Americana. This unique sound brings an interesting country twang to heavy music, conjuring images of the strange waters between EARTH, NEIL YOUNG, BLACK SABBATH, WOODY GUTHRIE and NEUROSIS.

Over nearly 6 years as a band (and as many CD releases), ACROSS TUNDRAS have come a long way from their sludgy roots. However, even 2005's debut release, the Divides EP (Feeling Faint), hinted at more than just burly metal, with melody and atmosphere being equally important as the emphasis of heavyness. These humble beginnings of a new sound were considerably expanded upon over 2006's Dark Songs of the Prairie (Crucial Blast), 2007's self-released Full Moon Blizzard EP, and a prolific year in 2008 with both Western Sky Ride (Saw Her Ghost) and Lonesome Wails From The Weeping Willow (Forgotten Empire).

2009 has seen ACROSS TUNDRAS self-release yet another recording, Herds of the Fathomless Valleys, a collection of new demos, one cover song, some exclusive material and three old classics recorded live at their first and only appearance on the Grand Ol' Opry, prior to being banned for refusing to "turn the hell down"! This DIY release paints an accurate picture of the vibe ACROSS TUNDRAS conveys, and is now available in its entirety for free download here:

http://roboticobscurities.blogspot.com

Nine songs spanning their existence can also be streamed at the band's myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/acrosstundras

The Herds of the Fathomless Valleys collection and ACROSS TUNDRAS catalog titles are also available for purchase directly through the band, or through Robotic Empire:

http://acrosstundras.bigcartel.com

http://www.roboticempire.com/store/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&keyword=Across+Tundras

An early 2010 release is planned for Old World Wander, and more details about the album will be announced upon its completion. In the meantime, ACROSS TUNDRAS is hitting the road in November, playing live some new material from "Old World Wander":

10/30 Memphis, TN @ The Buccaneer - w/ Atlas Moth, Dark Castle
11/07 Atlanta, GA @ Lenny's - w/ Atlas Moth, Dark Castle
11/22 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter - w/ Souvenirs Young America, Windhand
11/23 Baltimore, MD @ Sidebar - w/ Admiral Browning, Akris, Seventh Gate
11/24 Washington DC @ Velvet Lounge - w/ Admiral Browning, Akris, Ambition Burning
11/25 Philadelphia, PA @ Millcreek Tavern - w/ Sea of Bones, Monolith, Bubonic Bear
11/27 New York, NY @ Union Pool - w/ Sea of Bones, Gwynnbleid
11/28 New Haven, CT @ Rudy's - w/ Sea of Bones
11/29 NEED HELP
11/30 Columbus, OH @ Ruby's
12/01 Dayton, OH @ Dayton Dirt Collective

If you can help out on the 29th please send an email to gotannergo@yahoo.com

October 18, 2009

ROBOTIC EMPIRE - Online Store Update - Pirates Press Puzzle Raffle!

In this week's Robotic Empire - Online Store update we’re announcing a fun RAFFLE that involves the Pirates Press Puzzle. For the next week, up until October 25th, any orders of $100 or more will go into a raffle to win one of 2 puzzles we’re giving away! If you are one of the lucky winners we’ll contact you via E-mail once we’ve pulled the names and the puzzle will ship to you with your order.

In distro news we’ve gotten in some sweet Italian imports from Sangue Dischi Records, new cassettes from Rotting Chapel Tapes, the new Skeletonwitch from Prosthetic, and lots of Hydra Head releases and restocks. Also, if you run a distro/online store/whatever and want to pick up ANYTHING in our site at wholesale rates, please just Get in touch!
We’ve recently lowered the minimum order requirement and have increased the discount percentage!! Now on to the update!

NEW ITEMS:
*Big Business - Biz Bot Remixes 12" (Hydra Head) $11.99
*Candiria - Kiss The Lie 2x12" (Rising Pulse) $20.99
*Candiria - Toying With The Insanities Volume II - PINK COLORED VINYL 12" (Rising Pulse) $20.99
*Candiria - Toying With The Insanities Volume I CD (Rising Pulse) $12.99
*Cave In - Planets Of Old - GREEN TEA COLORED VINYL 12" (Hydra Head) $14.99
*Concrete - Gvttae Sangvnis CD (Sangue Dischi) $11.99
*General Surgery / Butcher ABC - Split - CLEAR WTIH RED SPLATTER COLORED VINYL 12" (Living Dead Society) $17.99
*Helms Alee - Lionize / Truly - BROWN COLORED VINYL 7" (Hydra Head) $5.99
*Nuclear II - Population Decimation Cassette (Rotting Chapel) $4.99
*Rauh - Tunnel Vision Cassette (Rotting Chapel) $4.99
*Revenge - Victory.Intolerance.Mastery Cassette (Rotting Chapel) $4.99
*Secret Cutter - If You Dont Hate Yourself 7" (Square Of Opposition) $6.99
*Si Non Sedes Is / MarNero - Split 12" (Sangue Dischi) $12.99
*Si Non Sedes Is / MarNero - Split - ORANGE COLORED VINYL 12" (Sangue Dischi) $12.99
*Skeletonwitch - Breathing The Fire 12" (Prosthetic) $15.99
*Skeletonwitch - Breathing The Fire CD (Prosthetic) $12.99
*Snowing - %uck Your Emotional Bullshit 7" (Square Of Opposition) $5.99
*Sonorous Gale - Two's A Crowd - WHITE COLORED VINYL 12" (Wrong Foot) $12.99
*Spylacopa - Debut CD (Rising Pulse) $12.99
*Torche - Healer / Across The Shields - EMERALD COLORED VINYL 12"+DVD (Hydra Head) $13.99
*Torche - Healer / Across The Shields - WHITE COLORED VINYL 12"+DVD (Hydra Head) $13.99
*Vulturum - Vineta 12" (Sangue Dischi) $12.99
*Weed Hounds - Demo Cassette (Crooked Direction) $4.99
*Wold - Imperator Cassette (Rotting Chapel) $4.99
*Xasthur - All Reflections Drained - RED MIST COLORED VINYL WITH SLIPMAT 2x12" (Hydra Head) $24.99

RESTOCKS:
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - PCP Torpedo 2xCD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Big Business - Head For The Shallow CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Botch - American Nervoso CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Botch - Unifying Themes Redux CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Cave In - Perfect Pitch Black CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Discordance Axis - Jouhou CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Discordance Axis - Our Last Day CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Discordance Axis - The Inalienable Dreamless CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Isis - Oceanic Remixes/Reinterpretations 2xCD (Hydra Head) $11.99
*Jesu - Conqueror CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Jesu - Self-Titled CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Oxbow - Love That's Last CD/DVD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Pelican - City Of Echoes 12'' *CLEAR w/ BLACK SPLATTER VINYL* (Hydra Head) $12.99
*Pelican - City Of Echoes 12'' *METALLIC SILVER VINYL* (Hydra Head) $12.99
*Pelican - The Fire In Our Throats... CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Pelican / These Arms Are Snakes - Split 10'' *CLEAR WITH BLUE COLORED VINYL* (Hydra Head) $11.99
*Pelican / These Arms Are Snakes - Split 10'' *DARK BLUE COLORED VINYL* (Hydra Head) $11.99
*Pelican / These Arms Are Snakes - Split 10'' *WHITE COLORED VINYL* (Hydra Head) $11.99
*Torche - Meanderthal Demos Cassette (Rotting Chapel) $4.99
*Torche - Meanderthal CD (Hydra Head ) $9.99
*Tusk - Tree Of No Return CD (Tortuga) $9.99

ITEMS NEWLY ON SALE:
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - PCP Torpedo 2xCD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Botch - American Nervoso CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Cave In - Perfect Pitch Black CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Esoteric, The - With The Sureness Of Sleepwalking (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Esoteric, The - Subverter CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Funeral Pyre, The - Wounds CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Jesu - Conqueror CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Jesu - Self-Titled CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Minor Times, The - Making Enemies CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Oxbow - Love That's Last CD/DVD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Pirates Press Vinyl Collage - PUZZLE (Pirates Press) $21.99
*Skeletonwitch - Beyond The Permafrost CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Through The Eyes Of The Dead - Bloodlust CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Through The Eyes of the Dead - Malice CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Torche - Meanderthal CD (Hydra Head) $9.99
*Yakuza - Samsara CD (Prosthetic) $7.99
*Yakuza - Transmutations CD (Prosthetic) $7.99

LAST WEEKS UPDATE ITEMS

NEW ITEMS:
*Battletorn - Reflect the Filth 12" (Challenge The Throne) $10.99
*Black Tusk / ASG - Split CD (Hyperrealist) $9.99
*F#ck The Facts - Disgorge Mexico- WHITE COLORED VINYL 12" (Stillborn) $12.99
*F#ck The Facts - Disgorge Mexico CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Glaciers - And The Sea Won The Battle - SKY BLUE COLORED VINTY 12" (Self Released) $9.99
*Hidden Hand - Resurrection of Whiskey Foote - BLUE COLORED VINYL 12" (Doomentia) $14.99
*High On Fire - Death is This Communion CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Maladie - Self-Titled 12" (Great Plains) $10.99
*Now Denial - Facemelter CD (Tor Johnson) $7.99
*Now Denial - Power To The Mountain - CLEAR COLORED VINYL 12" (Tor Johnson) $9.99
*Now Denial - Power To The Mountain - YELLOW COLORED VINYL 12" (Tor Johnson) $9.99
*Otesanek - Final 12" (Nancy Jo) $13.99
*Pig Destroyer - Natasha 12" (Relapse) $9.99
*Pig Destroyer - Natasha CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Pig Destroyer - Phantom Limb CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Pig Destroyer - Prowler In The Yard CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Ravens Creed - Albion Thunder CD (Doomentia) $12.99
*Unearthly Trance - Electrocution - GREEN WITH BLACK SPLATTER COLORED VINYL 12" (Relapse) $12.99
*Various Artists - Sound Cartography Vol.1 12" (Nancy Jo) $13.99
*Zombi - Cosmos CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Zombi - Surface To Air CD (Relapse) $7.99

RESTOCKS:
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Altered States of America 3" miniCD (Relapse) $7.99
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Bestial Machinery 2xCD (Relapse) $9.99
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope CD (Relapse) $7.99
*F#ck The Facts - Stigmata High Five CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Mastodon - Leviathan CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Neurosis - A Sun That Never Sets CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Neurosis - Times of Grace CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Tweak Bird - Whorses 7'' VINYL (Challenge The Throne) $6.99

There you go, that's the update for this week and please remember that we’ve still got copies of the massive FLOOR boxset available for pre-order but the numbers are getting slim. We highly suggest you grab one of those suckers now and you can follow this link to order FLOOR – Below & Beyond Thanks / peace!

Robotic Empire - Online Store

OTHER CRAP:
Robotic Empire's Twitter
Robotic Empire on Myspace
Robotic Empire on Facebook
Robotic Empire's email list
Robotic Empire's news blog/archive
Robotic Obscurities free audio archive
Robotic Empire's youtube channel
Robotic Empire Wholesale
Robotic Empire's main website

October 5, 2009

ROBOTIC EMPIRE - Online Store Update - New items & restocks

In this week's Robotic Empire - Online Store update we’ve got the new Hyperrealist release, Black Tusk / ASG, in stock along with some sweet new items from Relapse Records. Unearthly Trance vinyl, Pig Destroyer, Zombi and many more! Also new to the store are 2 items from Doomentia records in the Czech Republic, the new Glaciers 12”, Battletorn 12”, and many good restocks. Check the below list for full details!

NEW ITEMS:
*Battletorn - Reflect the Filth 12" (Challenge The Throne) $10.99
*Black Tusk / ASG - Split CD (Hyperrealist) $9.99
*F#ck The Facts - Disgorge Mexico- WHITE COLORED VINYL 12" (Stillborn) $12.99
*F#ck The Facts - Disgorge Mexico CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Glaciers - And The Sea Won The Battle - SKY BLUE COLORED VINTY 12" (Self Released) $9.99
*Hidden Hand - Resurrection of Whiskey Foote - BLUE COLORED VINYL 12" (Doomentia) $14.99
*High On Fire - Death is This Communion CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Maladie - Self-Titled 12" (Great Plains) $10.99
*Now Denial - Facemelter CD (Tor Johnson) $7.99
*Now Denial - Power To The Mountain - CLEAR COLORED VINYL 12" (Tor Johnson) $9.99
*Now Denial - Power To The Mountain - YELLOW COLORED VINYL 12" (Tor Johnson) $9.99
*Otesanek - Final 12" (Nancy Jo) $13.99
*Pig Destroyer - Natasha 12" (Relapse) $9.99
*Pig Destroyer - Natasha CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Pig Destroyer - Phantom Limb CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Pig Destroyer - Prowler In The Yard CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Ravens Creed - Albion Thunder CD (Doomentia) $12.99
*Unearthly Trance - Electrocution - GREEN WITH BLACK SPLATTER COLORED VINYL 12" (Relapse) $12.99
*Various Artists - Sound Cartography Vol.1 12" (Nancy Jo) $13.99
*Zombi - Cosmos CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Zombi - Surface To Air CD (Relapse) $7.99

RESTOCKS:
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Altered States of America 3" miniCD (Relapse) $7.99
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Bestial Machinery 2xCD (Relapse) $9.99
*Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope CD (Relapse) $7.99
*F#ck The Facts - Stigmata High Five CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Mastodon - Leviathan CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Neurosis - A Sun That Never Sets CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Neurosis - Times of Grace CD (Relapse) $7.99
*Tweak Bird - Whorses 7'' VINYL (Challenge The Throne) $6.99

There you go, that's the update for this week and please remember that we’ve still got copies of the massive FLOOR boxset on hand but the numbers are getting slim. We highly suggest you grab one of those suckers now! Thanks / peace!

Robotic Empire - Online Store

OTHER CRAP:
Robotic Empire's Twitter
Robotic Empire on Myspace
Robotic Empire on Facebook
Robotic Empire's email list
Robotic Empire's news blog/archive
Robotic Obscurities free audio archive
Robotic Empire's youtube channel
Robotic Empire Wholesale
Robotic Empire's main website

October 2, 2009

Hydra Head comments on FLOOR box set, the bro-cycle continues...


Gotta give respect where it's due. Hydra Head Records have been like older brothers to us for years. When we first started out and had no freakin' clue how to run a label (manufacturing/distribution/compensation/etc), our fledgling teenager-run operation asked these guys for advice. Who knew that 10+ years later we'd end up sharing nearly a dozen bands in our collective catalogs and still operate essentially the same way?

That's not to say that we're on the same level by any means. Bros' now living in the big city and goin' for it while we hold down the fort in the homestate. That's just fine with us though, and are more than happy that several bands we've worked with over the years (DAUGHTERS, KAYO DOT, TORCHE) have moved on to call Hydra Head their main home.

So its awesome when a mutual respect like this comes full-circle, with our brethren bustin our balls but also giving praise to the forthcoming FLOOR discography box set. Its no secret that both labels have been huge FLOOR fans for years, and especially considering that... getting recognized for undertaking this massive project means quite a lot.

They wrote a fairly spot-on update from their point-of-view on this whole thing, which is worth reading here.

And to tie this back in with our latest obsession, you can pre-order the FLOOR - Below & Beyond Box Set here and/or listen to ten preview tracks here.