New Country & Eastern website
The excellent Swedish jazz and world music label has a nicely revamped website: http://www.countryandeastern.se/
Country: Sweden
The Horror The Horror - Wilderness (video)
"Wilderness" is the title track of The Horror The Horror's new album, due out April 22 via . Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQtLCJFL9sI
Kullhammar's top Swedish jazz picks
Swedish sax player Jonas Kullhammar lists his picks of essential jazz albums with a connection to Sweden: http://svenskmusik.org/article/jonas-kullhammars-essential-jazz-albums/
Maia Hirasawa live in Japan
New Japanese dates for Maia Hirasawa:
05/20 - Akasaka BLITZ, Tokyo
05/23 - IMS Hall, Fukuoka
05/24 - Club Quattro, Nagoya
05/25 - Club Quattro, Osaka
06/04 - TAICO CLUB, Nagano (solo)
More details: http://www.maiahirasawa.com/japan/
Snutjävel sells out
will be releasing the new Snutjävel CD "Aldrig i Helvete" on April 8, the Swedish punk band's first actual release on the circular plastic format. Samples and more info: http://www.heptownrecords.com/2011/03/23/new-album-by-snutjavel-out-april-8-2011/
MP3: Red Moon - Suspicious
Alright, finally some new music from Red Moon. Probably should've posted this weeks ago, but life/work has intervened and besides, it's generally for the best that I let things percolate a bit first. Anyhow, glad to have Katarina and Eva Thulin back on my speakers and likewise glad that they're continuing to put out superb dreampop as if they never took a 5-year break. "Suspicious" is my favorite tune from the duo's new EP "I am here", both the longest and heaviest they have on offer, though if you dig on this you'll surely dig the rest. All the major label-funded JAMC wannabees can't hold a candle to these ladies, never could.
Red Moon - Suspicious
Adept - The ivory tower (video)
According to Slitz, Adept are Sweden's #1 rock band of 2011. Sure they are. Direct video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXKuobucafM
Mando Diao make another go at US market
Following the inclusion of the song "Dance with somebody" in US TV program "Dancing with the stars", Mando Diao will attempt to capitalize on the exposure by getting their 2009 album "Give me fire" a proper American release on May 31.
Sorcery reissue details
has confirmed that the new Sorcery retrospective 3xLP set "Unholy creations" will be released on April 21 and will include all of the band's demos up through 1993, including the never-released "Maculated life" demo, the song "Pandemonium" from the first version of the "Ancient creation" demo, the track "Inhabitants" from off the 1997 VOD compilation and also a rehearsal recording from their early short period as Sorcery's Malediction. Also included in the set will be a 24pg booklet with a full band bio, lyrics and other memoralibilia and the first 100 copies will come in a limited black wooden box with an etched logo and the 2010 demo "Master of the chains" on cassette plus a t-shirt, poster and patch. Not sure when it'll be available for order, but hopefully I'll find out before you do.
Graveyard vinyl on Spotify?
Graveyard is claiming that their new album "Hisingen blues" is the first vinyl on Spotify: http://www.graveyardsongs.com/
Ridiculous, sure, but you can also visit that link for a chance to win an autographed LP.
Mohammed Ali - Postkodsmiljonär
No official video yet, just a streaming preview of the new Mohammed Ali single "Postkodsmiljonär". Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMv-h7NJ9ow
Torture Division - Iron tusk (Mastodon cover)
Swedish death metallers Torture Division have posted a cover of themselves covering "Iron tusk" by Mastodon: http://www.torturedivision.net/news/wanna-hear-what-mastodon-really-should-sound-like
The Bells - We kick back
The Bells (feat. members from The Bear Quartet, Park Hotell, etc.) have a brand new single called "We kick back" and you can hear it at their website: http://www.thebells.se/
A final storm coming to vinyl
Khoma's most recent album "A final storm" will be getting 2xLP vinyl release in April.
Enforcer loses guitarist
Guitarist Adam Zaars has amicably parted ways with Swedish metal act Enforcer: http://www.myspace.com/enforcerswe/blog/542457610
The band will continue on as a 4-piece with vocalist Olof Wikstrand taking on 2nd guitar duties.