Pitchfork has started to post their top 100 tracks of 2009 and so far in the bottom 50 we have Scandinavian artist representation from Frida Hyvönen (#77), Röyksopp (feat. Robyn) (#68), The Tough Alliance (#65), Annie (#64) and Fever Ray (#58). See here: http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7742-the-top-100-tracks-of-2009/
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU, 100% pre-millennium edition:
01. TALK 1
02. Honey Is Cool - Bolero
03. Beyond Dawn - Addictions are private
04. Commando M Pigg - Baby doll
05. TALK 2
06. Kent - If you were here
07. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
08. CMX - Ainomieli 97
09. Docent Död - Bensin i blodet
10. TALK 3
11. Bitch Boys - Automobile
12. Nicolai Dunger - This town
13. Broder Daniel - I'll be gone
14. Starmarket - Ten seconds
15. TALK 4
16. Madrugada - Beautyproof
17. Breach - Black sabbath
18. Silverbullit - Thank you Mr.
19. Camouflage - Syster sol
20. TALK 5
21. Entombed - Lights out
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers. Next week's show will feature tunes from my top 10 albums of the year.
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Sissel & Odd - Strålande Jul
02. Bjørn Eidsvåg - De Beste
03. Ole Edvard Antonsen - Desember Stemninger
04. Donkeyboy - Caught in a Life
05. Tine Thing Helseth - Mitt hjerte alltid vanker
06. Rita Eriksen - Frelsesarmeens Juleplate 2009
07. Elisabeth Andreassen & Rein Aleksander - Julenatt
08. Jahn Teigen - Teigen - 40 Største Hits
09. Nilsen/Aalberg - Call Me a Dreamer
10. Sivert Høyem - Moon Landing
11. Helene Bøksle - Det Hev Ei Rose Sprungen
12. Bugge Wesseltoft - It's Snowing On My Piano
13. Dum Dum Boys - Tidsmaskin
14. Herborg Kråkevik - Kvar Ein Dag
15. Malin - Malin
16. Torbjørn Egner - Samlede CD-er
17. Jonas Fjeld feat Henning Kvitnes - Den Gamle Veien
18. Jokke & Valentinerne - Levende (så lenge det varer)
19. Alf Prøysen - De kjente og kjære sangene
20. Stephen Brandt-Hanssen - I Julens Lys
Leave it to the folks at Tiger// to unearth the best raging hardcore Norway has to offer. Eskatol isn't an actual FF release, but it fits in just fine alongside their catalogue as a fine addition to 's list of offerings. However, whereas bands such as the superb Obliteration are content to wallow fabulously in old-school, bottom-dweller filth, Eskatol mixes it up to the extreme, tossing "new school" hardcore-style technical runs, bits of Swedish-style melodic metal leads, His Hero Is Gone-style crust and various other influences in with their ripping d-beat attack. Sounds sketchy, but it works because they don't let those flourishes overpower the 'core. Kinda in the same way that Converge pulls it off; those attributes are the appetizers, not the main course. Check out "Blodørn"'s opening cut "Dype spor" and I think you'll hear what I mean. I actually listened to this record straight through twice in a row when I first got it, that's how much it impressed me.
Eskatol - Dype spor
Voting is now open for the Olsoprisen "Album of the Year" award: http://www.nattogdag.no/avstemninger/osloprisen-2009-arets-osloskive
Nominees include Montée, Obliteration (my personal choice), Maribel and Chris Lee and the final decision is 50% jury-based, 50% voting.
Ulver has posted the first taste of their upcoming psychrock tribute on myspace, a cover of "I had too much to dream last night" by Electric Prunes: http://www.myspace.com/ulver1
Joining them on this recording are Lars Pedersen of When on drums and Mats Engen from Euroboys on bass. Also note the 2010 European tourdates.
has announced the signing of Bergen-based sludge/noise act Solstorm and will be releasing their debut full-length in 2010. Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/solstormofficial
In case you couldn't make it to DC last night to catch Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Håkon Kornstad live at The Kennedy Center, the duo's performance is now online for on-demand streaming: http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=56807&source_type=B (scroll down)
It's no big surprise, but Norwegian crust/thrash/hardcore act Okkultokrati have signed with Fysisk Format making them labelmates with like-minded artists such as Haust and Obliteration. Look for their full-length debut "No light for mass" in February.
Jaga Jazzist will hitting the road in Europe to support the release of their new album "One armed bandit", due out January 25:
02/24 - Train, Århus (DK)
02/25 - Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
02/26 - Kamp, Bielefield (GER)
02/27 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
02/28 - Doornroosje, Nijmegen (NL)
03/01 - Les Trinitaries, Metz (FRA)
03/02 - AB Club, Brussels (BEL)
03/03 - Islington Academy, London (UK)
03/04 - Cafe de la Danse, Paris (FRA)
03/05 - Moods, Zurich (CH)
03/07 - Volksbuhne, Berlin (GER)
Turboweekend, CALLmeKAT, Marie Fisker, Jonna Lee, Oh No Ono, Kaspar, Murmansk and Adam Tensta are among the latest confirmations for SXSW.
Norwegian metal act Kvelertak has signed with Indie Recordings (Satyricon, Enslaved) and will be recordig their debut album in Boston with Kurt Ballou of Converge. Expect a June release in Norway, September everywhere else.
Sean Adams from Drowned in Sound will curating the January edition of London-based Scandinavian music showcase event Ja Ja Ja. The date is January 21 and the first act confirmed is Norwegians Simon Says No!.
Pitchfork reviews the latest Supersilent album "9": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13756-9/