** THIS WEBSITE SUCKS (new one actually finally coming soon though) **

ROBOTIC EMPIRE - (If you want to buy stuff, please visit our Online Store)

Per usual, it's been a while since our last update (see below) but we've got plenty of happenings happening so we wanted to keep you updated with what's been going on recently and what will be going on in the future. As always, if you are more interested in the latest updates to our Online Store, please feel free to head on over there.

Otherwise, here is the latest news, plain and simple:

MAY: (the remainder of the month, after the last update)
* TORCHE toured with freakin' MOGWAI, which was awesome.
* We did our first ever pre-order package combo thing through our Online Store for the RED SPAROWES / GRAILS split LP. Ebay scoundrels were stoked.

JUNE:
* CAPSULE toured and recorded some demos and pre-production tracks for their debut full-length, which promises to be both beautiful and pummeling.
* ULTRA DOLPHINS toured with their drunken brothers BRAINWORMS.
* THE CATALYST did a monster tour with MASS MOVEMENT OF THE MOTH and we released a cassette tape containing the majority of their crucial demos for the split CD/LP with said band. We have copies of these in our Online Store.

JULY:
* KAYO DOT finally had their first vinyl release in the form of the deluxe, gatefold 2xLP version of Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue. This thing turned out marvelously, and we still have some copies.
* A long time coming (and a long time secret release), we unleashed the 4xLP Box Set version of all four Oceanic Remix LPs by ISIS. Again, this turned out amazing and we may still have some copies, check here for availability.

AUGUST:
* VERSOMA's debut Life During Wartime came out on both CD & LP, and people seem pretty amped on it. They then hit the road with RED SPAROWES and DAUGHTERS. We have copies of these in our Online Store.
* WINDMILLS BY THE OCEAN's long-buried sole recording was released on both CD & LP, and as expected the rabid ISIS / RED SPAROWES fans did backflips. We have copies of these in our Online Store.
* DAUGHTERS released their followup to our Canada Songs release, this one entitled Hell Songs. It came out on Hydra Head, exactly three years after the debut album. We have copies of these in our Online Store.
* ISIS embarked on a full-US tour with motherfucking TOOL!
* This update was made on August 20th (so everything from here on out is "upcoming"):

SEPTEMBER:
* KAYO DOT is doing another immense US tour, click here for all of the dates.
* TORCHE is touring Europe for the first time with the almighty BARONESS.
* PINK RAZORS' debut album Waiting To Wash Up will see it's limited-LP release in stores on the 26th. It turned out pretty stellar. We have copies of these in our Online Store.
* RED SPAROWES split LP with GRAILS will be released in stores and other distros on the 12th.
* RED SPAROWES new album Every Red Heart Shines Toward The Red Sun will be released on 2xLP, but it was pushed back to the 26th. (Neurot is releasing the CD version on the 19th)
* ULTRA DOLPHINS' collection Why Are You Laugh will be released as a limited-LP in stores on the 26th, which also turned out stellar. We have copies of these in our Online Store.

OCTOBER:
* KAYO DOT continues their latest immense US tour, click here for all of the dates.

NOVEMBER:
* We're doing another CMJ showcase with Neurot. It will be awesome, and we'll post more info when we have it.
* ULTRA DOLPHINS' debut album Mar will see the light of day nearly a year after it's recording finished. Both the CD and LP will be coming out November 7th, and two tracks can now be heard here.

DECEMBER:
* No concrete plans for this month, but here's every other release we currently have lined up for 2007, in alphabetical order:

BATTLE OF MICE
This is the unbelievable new group with folks from RED SPAROWES and MADE OUT OF BABIES at the helm. Their debut album A Day Of Nights is coming out October 2006 on Neurot and it's quite simply one of the best debuts we've ever heard. This stuff is so powerful it transcends 'scary', and we're beyond thrilled to be working with them. The project we're to be a part of with BATTLE OF MICE is a split, but we can't announce the other artist just yet... but rest assure this one is going to be incredible.

CAPSULE
They've put a ton of miles on their van(s) and have recorded half of their debut album so far. The rough tracks we heard sound AWESOME, and the rest is being tracked now (or is already done depending on when you read this). We expect an early 2007 release, and some demo versions of songs to be included can be heard on their Myspace page, or live, on their ever-constant touring.

CITY OF CATERPILLAR
Back when they recorded their Self Titled debut album for Level Plane in late 2001, there was an extra song that didn't get used due to time constraints on the vinyl. It's long, long overdue, but this amazing and powerful six-minute, thirty-two second track will finally be released, although the format has yet to be determined. It may be a one-sided 7", or it may be something longer with more material included (probably live if anything). The members of CITY OF CATERPILLAR are obviously more focused on their current bands (DARKEST HOUR, THE GHASTLY CITY SLEEP, HARAM, VERSE EN COMA, etc.), but things are still moving forward for this release and we couldn’t be more stoked to be the ones releasing it.

CREATION IS CRUCIFIXION
No idea what specifically will become of their final Antenna Builder recordings, as we've kinda lost touch with the band. However, this should see the light some day in the not-too-distant future, but it's hard to know or say exactly when. We're hoping 2007 will finally be the year.

EMPLOYER, EMPLOYEE
It's been five+ years since their last release, sic[sic], came out, but the demand for this has haunted us for years and we're most excited to say that the re-release of their entire recorded output is nearly upon us. Relapse has been super cool and gave us the green-light to include the Mother Spain 7", so we got that along with sic[sic] totally remastered and they sound even better together. Both a CD and LP release are planned for these ten tracks, but the last element (Aaron Turner's stellar artwork/layout) needs to be found or re-created. As soon as this is ready it will go to the plants, so we're now hoping for this one sooner than later!

THE GHASTLY CITY SLEEP
The recording for THE GHASTLY CITY SLEEP's debut album has been completed and now the slow mixing process begins for what will undoubtedly be one of the most captivating releases for us to date. This is current and former fellows from CITY OF CATERPILLAR, GREGOR SAMSA, MAJORITY RULE, amongst others, and enlists a bit of string help from Mia of KAYO DOT. We aren't even quite prepared to describe how intense this debut is (and we've been jamming the rough mixes for months), so we'll just let the music do the talking once the mix is done.

ISIS
The droning, doomy heavy music innovators ISIS have totally finished their latest opus, leaving the one-word album titles behind and calling this one In The Absence of Truth. It follows the logical path of their progression into extremely exciting waters and we're proud to be the ones releasing the 2xLP of this beast (Ipecac will once again do the CD version). However, true to form they throw in unexpended elements on this one and not only are there more vocals (overall), but there is more actual singing. We embrace and appreciate these changes, and hope you will too. No release date is set for the 2xLP quite yet, but you can hear a MP3 from this monster here.

PUSHER
Some old friends (and new ones) down in Louisville, KY have cranked out a pretty killer demo and we plan to release a limited cassette tape of it. They may record some new songs beforehand, but either way this thing is going to shred. Total short, fast punk mayhem from dudes once responsible for being the party dawgs in BREATHER RESIST, COLISEUM, LICKGOLDENSKY and more. We think this band rules, and you can check them out here.

PYGMY LUSH
Several different recording sessions, with Kurt Ballou and Jeff Kane (and some at the home base) are done, and this myriad-styled debut is ready to be sent off to the mastering beasts. It's hard to nail down what this album sounds like, because it's kind of like every band that the members have played in AND listened to, but it's also kind of like nothing else. It's exciting stuff one way or another, and once we have the artwork and master we'll be putting this monster out on both CD and LP. Some tracks to preview (and any/all live dates) can be found here.

TORCHE
The crushing wall of sound known as TORCHE have nearly finished a completely remixed version of their first, Self Titled, album and it's sounding worlds better. This was done because the band was never happy with the quality of the original mix, and with Rock Action re-releasing it over in Europe we all figured it was time for a tune-up. To throw icing on the cake they added a bonus "outro" track, that was originally intended to be the album's "intro" before the thunder clip was added. Long story short, the fully remixed jam sounds incredible and will be a great prelude to their next album (which they've already recorded half of), tentatively titled Floor. Are we serious? Good question...

VERSE EN COMA
Although existing in sort of a restless sleep, the VERSE EN COMA project nears closer and closer to waking with the full tracking of their debut EP finally complete. The mix for Rialto will be concluded in the near future and we should have this fantastic debut in your hands soon. In the meantime, they've posted a rough mix of one of the songs and it should be a slight indication of the great things that are withheld on this recording.

That sums up the update for this time. A few other once-planned releases (the PG.99 DVD, the HASSAN I SABBAH discography, etc.) have all been back-burnered or possibly scrapped for various reasons. In other words, don't hold your breath on those unfortunately... but if anything changes we will let you know. There may be an additional release or two that we aren't quite prepared to announce yet, but this pretty much solidifies our plans for 2007.

Other than this stuff, we still have lots of rad stuff for sale in our Online Store. We constantly get new items and currently have all kinds of shirts, tapes, limited vinyl, short-run CD-Rs and just lots of random stuff you can't necessarily download, so please check it out. Thanks, peace!

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** If you want to buy stuff, please visit our Online Store **

So we're still ages away from a new website, but new stuff is always going on. It's hard to keep on top of updating "the kids" on all the rad happenings over here because things are constantly in motion... so, sorry for the perpetual website slackery. Just know that we're working on it, but in the meantime these stripped down updates will have to do. Here's what's been happening with/on Robotic Empire since 2006 began, when we did the last update:

JANUARY
* KAYO DOT's Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue CD came out, lots of people thought it was weird and awesome, and it is.
* PINK RAZOR's Waiting To Wash Up CD came out, the people that got it thought it was fucking awesome, and it really is (you should check it out).

FEBRUARY
* TORCHE embarked on what would become a 3-month tour, hitting up SXSW and touring alongside bands like MOGWAI, BLACK COBRA, THE SWORD and some more.
* We released our first cassette (the first in a series) by a gnarly Miami band called CAPSULE.

MARCH
* GRAILS' first two albums came out on vinyl (finally), which we blew through pretty fast.
* MAGRUDERGRIND + SHITSTORM released their blistering split CD/LP, and grind dudes were very stoked.
* ULTRA DOLPHINS' collection CD Why Are You Laugh came out to try to prepare people for the upcoming ogre of a debut album, Mar.
* We moved our HQ across town and started spending more time at the river.

APRIL
* PINK RAZORS went on tour with AVAIL, which is pretty freakin' awesome.
* We made our entire 17-track, hour-long new sampler CD available for free download.

MAY
* The RED SPAROWES / GREGOR SAMSA split was released on CD due to the insane demand for the split LP, which we've toyed with the idea of repressing.
* The vinyl of KAYO DOT's Dowsing Anemone 2xLP got bumped back, again.

All throughout all of this, we've been constantly updating and adding to our Online Store, including lots of shirts, patches and other stuff we haven't really carried much of before. Now it's (just about) the beginning of June and because realistically, there won't be another update for a while, here's some broad plans for the rest of the year here:

* Finally, the deluxe 2xLP vinyl release of the KAYO DOT album (June 20th)
* Launch of our all new Online Store (been working on this for months, it's still a bit away)
* The much-anticipated release of the RED SPAROWES / GRAILS split LP, which we will actually be doing our first "pre-order" package thing for soon (keep an eye on the Online Store).
* Another limited pressing of the colored vinyl for the two GRAILS 12"s, since the plant slightly messed up the first round (we didn't order "splatter" vinyl), again keep an eye on the Online Store.
* VERSOMA will release their debut CDep/LP on August 8th, and then hit the road to baffle jaded hardcore kids.
* WINDMILLS BY THE OCEAN's recently unearthed recording from 2003 will finally see the light of day. This is ISIS + RED SPAROWES + ANODYNE + 27 members doing some intense (mostly) instrumental stuff. This comes out on CD and LP August 8th.
* Our second cassette will come out (early June?) from Richmond's THE CATALYST, who rule and remind us of KARP and NIRVANA getting stoned together.
* PYGMY LUSH will release their debut CD and LP, which is fucking amazing.
* The VERSE EN COMA project will finally see the light of day too, which may or may not get a name change.
* THE GHASTLY CITY SLEEP debut will come out too, which nobody is ready for.
* Unreleased CITY OF CATERPILLAR material will be released, exact format to be determined.
* Vinyl versions of this year's PINK RAZORS and ULTRA DOLPHINS CDs will (hopefully) come out, if we ever get the artwork situated.
* ULTRA DOLPHINS' insane debut album Mar will come out late summer/fall and blow everyone's minds.
* TORCHE will completely re-mix their self-titled debut from the ground up, for a re-release in the fall (with a bonus track). MOGWAI's awesome label Rock Action will be releasing it in Europe just in time for the band's lengthy Euro tour with the BARONESS monster.
* RED SPAROWES will release the 2xLP of their tremendous new album with us, and it will look even better than the last one (which looked pretty awesome).
* ISIS' next album will be released as a 2xLP, although that could be a 2007 release.
* CAPSULE will record and release their debut full-length and do a bunch of touring.
* We will reissue some more old releases of ours (EMPLOYER EMPLOYEE, THE SACRIFICE POLES, etc.) on both CD and LP formats.
* Another NEUROT + ROBOTIC EMPIRE showcase will go down for this year's CMJ, and we are very excited!

So that covers most of it, or at least all that we can remember at this time. Things are insane here but that's how we like it. This website sucks, we know, and will juice it up after the launch of our new Online Store. In the meantime, here are links to the MySpace pages for most of the (currently active) bands we are working with... because somehow this is the new form of communication for most people. We won't bash it, it's just a little weird... but at least you can get update tour dates and hear songs easily this way:

* A Life Once Lost
* Capsule
* The Catalyst
* Circle Takes The Square
* Daughters
* Grails
* Gregor Samsa
* Isis
* Kayo Dot
* Magrudergrind
* Municipal Waste
* Pink Razors
* Pygmy Lush
* Red Sparowes
* The Sacrifice Poles (Cave In)
* Shitstorm
* Torche
* Ultra Dolphins
* Verse En Coma
* Versoma

and, us too of course:

* Robotic Empire

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