Alexisonfire (album)

Alexisonfire (album)

Alexisonfire is the first studio album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on September 9, 2002. It sold over 50,000 units in Canada, giving it gold certification. Members Chris Steele, Wade MacNeil and Jesse Ingelevics were only 17 when the album was recorded.

The cover art was photographed by lead singer George Pettit at Ferndale Public School in St.Catharines, Ontario. Pictured is Cassandra Paolella (holding the knife) and Amanda Rietveld (opposite). It is based on the lyrics from "A Dagger Through the Heart of St. Angeles". There was also an alternative cover art released, which just depicts the band's logo and name.

The title of ".44 Caliber Love Letter" is likely taken from a line in the 1986 David Lynch movie Blue Velvet:

"I'll have to send you a love letter! Straight from my heart, fucker! You know what a love letter is? It's a bullet from a fucking gun, fucker!" - Frank Booth

The album is considered a major landmark of the post-hardcore genre.