Norwegian noise masters Jazkammer will be doing a 12 CD subscription series for 2010 featuring a new release every month of the year. Planned releases include a new record with the "Metal music machine" lineup as well as various collaborations with artists such as John Wiese and Putrefier, plus lots more. Read here: http://jazkamer.blogspot.com/2009/11/jazkamer-2010-monthly-cd-series.html
Free Jazz reviews the new Fire! album on Rune Grammofon: http://freejazz-stef.blogspot.com/2009/12/fire-you-liked-me-five-minutes-ago-rune.html
Firstly, I've got a new item in stock: Undergången - An audio companion to the End-Tymes (CS)
Cassettes are the new black and none are more black than this, a 120-minute compilation of dark sounds compiled by Thomas Ekelund of Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words. Limited to 100 copies, so don't be surprised if they disappear quick.
Second! There are still a few final sleeveless copies of Hello Saferide's "Introducing..." LP available. After that, they are gone forever. Buy now!
Third! Our ongoing CD clearance sale may be winding down and thinning out, but there are still plenty of deals to be had! Please, help me get rid of all these damn CDs!
Fourth, and finally, if you want any chance of your order making it to your house by Christmas, you absolutely have to get it in this week as I will be making my last pre-Xmas trip to the post office on Saturday, December 12. Wait too long and your package might not arrive until New Year's. And then in 2010 I'm shutting down for inventory and renovation, so if you've been considering a purchase, the clock is ticking..
Einz from Virus/Beyond Dawn/Infernö made a podcast mix for Todestrieb Records: http://label.todestrieb.co.uk/2009/12/05/podcast-einz-of-virus-comatose-haze/
Norwegian indie act Monzano has announced that their 2nd album is done and confirmed for a February 8 release via . Hear a sample cut at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/monzano
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Interlace - Nemesis
02. TALK 1
03. Kråkesølv - Skredder
04. Mata de Leon - He's alright
05. Agent Side Grinder - 210-392
06. TALK 2
07. Lapko - I shot the sheriff
08. Obliteration - Exterminate
09. Frivolvol - Blades of steel
10. Adam McCormack - Dead sailor
11. TALK 3
12. Marvins Revolt - Organize your arms
13. The Bear Quartet - Least loved (of the unloved)
14. Håkan Lidbo - Let's rock
15. TALK 4
16. Eskatol - Hevn
17. Elias & the Wizzkids - Oh these nights
18. Grande Roses - Factory
19. C.Aarmé - Assuan
20. TALK 5
21. Le Sport - Love in stereo
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.
The Washington Post Express talks to acclaimed Norwegian saxophonist Håkon Kornstad in advance of his Kennedy Center performance on December 7: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/12/hakon-kornstad-norway-kennedy-center.php
The always-entertaining Fenriz of Darkthrone has a new interview at MetalSucks: http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/12/02/darkthrones-fenriz-the-metalsucks-interview/
Check out an e-card for the new Haddy N'jie album "A few good men", due out January 25: http://www.universalmusic.no/ecards/haddy/
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. issel & Odd - Strålande Jul
02. Bjørn Eidsvåg - De Beste
03. Donkeyboy - Caught in a Life
04. Nilsen/Aalberg - Call Me a Dreamer
05. Dum Dum Boys - Tidsmaskin
06. Sivert Høyem - Moon Landing
07. Jokke & Valentinerne - Levende (så lenge det varer)
08. Ole Edvard Antonsen - Desember Stemninger
09. Rita Eriksen - Frelsesarmeens Juleplate 2009
10. Tine Thing Helseth - Mitt hjerte alltid vanker
11. Malin - Malin
12. Elisabeth Andreassen & Rein Aleksander - Julenatt
13. Herborg Kråkevik - Kvar Ein Dag
14. Bugge Wesseltoft - It's Snowing On My Piano
15. Jonas Fjeld feat Henning Kvitnes - Den Gamle Veien
16. Ole Ivars - Femten Ferske
17. John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - For Sant Til Å Være Godt
18. Alf Prøysen - De kjente og kjære sangene
19. tephen Brandt-Hanssen - I Julens Lys
20. The Blacksheeps - Blacksheeps
The Avant-garde Metal webzine has published yet another exhaustive interview, this time featuring Espen Ingierd of Beyond Dawn, one of Norway['s most criminally underrated acts and also one of my longtime favorite bands: http://www.avantgarde-metal.com/content/stories2.php?id=134
There's also a previously unreleased track hidden therein, so go check it out.
A Fist in the Face of God talks to Kenneth, one of the gentlemen who runs the Oslo-based specialty metal/punk store Neseblod Records: http://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2009/11/interview-with-kenneth-of-neseblod.html
The American Grammy nominees have been announced and the only Scandinavian non-classical names I see are Röyksopp and Trentemøller, both of whom get nods in the "Best Remix" category (#93): http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list.aspx
Bill Zebub of the famed metal zine "Grimoire of Exalted Deeds" has put together a documentary on the genre of Pagan Metal, which of course is well-represented by many Scandinavian acts. Watch a trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT1MIGJ0b10
Bands featured include Korpiklaani, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Turisas, Tyr among others and the official release date is December 8.
The upcoming Haust/Next Life split 12", the latter's first recordings with a live drummer I believe, has been finished and sent for pressing and will be out on early next year.