Seattle's Backandtotheleft, formerly signed to Assemblage 23 front man Tom Shear's 23db label, have inked a deal with Metropolis Records. Shear produced the band's debut release Obsolete in the summer of last year. After shopping it around, the band was initially unable to stir up label interest. Believing that the band was something that deserved to be heard, Shear decided he'd put the record out himself in hope of generating some attention for the band, and hopefully allowing the band to move on to greener pastures label-wise. Even without the benefit of advertising or a proper label, Obsolete did astonishly well. So well in fact, that the band garnered the attention of Metropolis Records. Shear said of the deal, "I couldn't be happier or prouder of them, and I'm really happy to see them on a label that I know will do them well." Metropolis Records will reissue Obsolete in August both in the USA and Europe. In the meantime, the original 23db version of the album will be available for sale at the Assemblage 23 Online Store and at the merch booth on the upcoming Assemblage 23 US Storm Tour, for which Backandtotheleft will be the support act. Final tour dates for the Assemblage 23/Backandtotheleft U.S. tour can be found on the Backandtotheleft Web site.
