Country: Sweden

The Tallest Man on Earth live on Minnesota Public Radio

Check out an interview and live performance with The Tallest Man on Earth at Minnesota Public Radio: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/05/24/tallest-man-on-earth-live/

Juni Järvi - (I love it when you call me) Baby (feat. Annika Norlin)

Listen to a YouTube preview of the brand new Juni Järvi single "(I love it when you call me) Baby", featuring guest vocals from Annika Norlin (Hello Saferide, Säkert!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyiuXpN_hE
The official release date for said track is May 26 and it will be followed by the album "The gospel" in early September which will feature guest appearances from Markus Krunegård (Laakso) and others.

PopMatters reviews The Amazing

The Amazing's new release "Wait for a light to come" does not live up to PopMatters' expectations: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/125643-the-amazing-wait-for-a-light-to-come

Street Fighting Man - Learning to die

Swedish rock act Street Fighting Man are back after a couple years in obscurity with two new tracks for free download: http://streetfightingman.bandcamp.com/album/learning-to-die-single
Look for their debut full-length "The shadow" to be released this summer.

Addeboy vs Cliff - Sinner (video)

Check out the video for the new Addeboy vs Cliff single "Sinner", featuring guest appearances from Eboi and Adam Tensta. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hgHAV8nVlE

Morgan Ågren in the studio (video)

Fredrik Thordendal has posted a compilation of various video clips showing drummer Morgan Ågren recording tracks for the upcoming "Special defects II" album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilKx8QF8wrw

Shout Out Louds live at The El Ray (photos)

Under the Radar has posted a photo gallery from the Shout Out Louds' recent show in LA: http://www.undertheradarmag.com/galleries/shout_out_louds/72157624003157959

Oskar Linnros to release solo album in June

Swedish rapper-turned-pop artist/producer Oskar Linnros (Snook, ex-Maskinen) will release his debut solo album "Vilja bli" on June 9. Hear his latest single "Från och med du": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJaFgeLTYgY
RIYL yacht rock/disco. I don't.

Kristian Anttila - Världens snuskigaste man (video)

was kind enough to send over an internationally-viewable link for the new Kristian Anttila video "Världens snuskigaste man": http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid84496618001?bctid=86511884001

New Bear Quartet = Monty Python; preview posted

has revealed that The Bear Quartet's next album, due out this fall, will be entitled "Monty Python". Preview four tracks: http://adrianfiles.com/thebearquartet2010/
Also note that the band will be playing a few gigs this summer:

05/27 - Siesta festivalen, Hässleholm (SWE)
06/04 - Strand, Stockholm (SWE)
07/02 - Roskildefestival, Roskilde (DK)
07/31 - Storsjöyran, Östersund (SWE)

MP3: Imperial State Electric - I'll let you down

Yup, you sure will, by releasing a pathetically gutless and mediocre "rock" album, the latest culmination of a slow, downward arc. Imperial State Electric's new self-titled album pissed me off when I first heard it, it was so damn wimpy, but it has somewhat redeemed itself on repeat listens. A few bright spots shine out among the rubbish and I suppose that even this revved-up Beatles imitation isn't truly that bad. Give me three or four weeks though, it will be a distant memory gathering digital dust, Nicke Andersson's marquee name it's premiere saving grace. I am curious to see what the Swedish press will say about it though. I predict fawning adoration, but who knows? I've been wrong before.

Imperial State Electric - I'll let you down

Aktiv Dödshjälp almost done with new album, new tune online

Swedish crust/metal act Aktiv Dödshjälp has announced that they are almost done working on their new album "Men allting har ett slut" and have posted a sample tune at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/aktivdodshjalp
According to an interview with Mikael Sörling, the record is geared to be gym music. And judging by the mosh riffs on said track, I think they got it.

Britta Persson confirms single for June, locks down album release

"Meet a bear", the first single from Britta Persson's forthcoming album "Current affair medium rare", will be officially released on June 14. As for the full-length, that's officially confirmed for release on September 8 via /.

Discouraged Records to release EP from This Gift is a Curse

has announced that they'll be releasing the debut EP from Swedish doom act This Gift is a Curse in early September in cooperation with the band's own label . Hear a couple samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thisgiftisacurse

MP3: Kausal - Evac

Isis announced their impending breakup last week which leaves a vast emptiness in the world of post-metal. Who will fill the void? Perhaps it could be Kausal -- they're one of the few bands I've heard of this ilk who seem to be charting their own path rather than stride down the tired, tried and true. Like countrymates Logh, they take many cues from solemn art-pop and evoke much of that band's same dark loneliness and longing, but they take it in a different direction by building on heavy repetition and incorporating subtle elements of improv. "Evac" shows them at one of their most accessible moments, as much of their debut album "In dead cities" is built on sprawling instrumentals, but there is still plenty of oomph in their sound, most notably in that huge kick and that cyclic and-one-and rhythmic pattern. The heavy mood is crucial too; in fact, I'd even say that's the most important aspect of getting this post-metal thing right. If you can still feel the weight of darkness pressing down during the most lush or quiet moments, you win. Kausal does, thus they earn my praise. I've generally felt positive towards everything I've heard from before, but this is by far the best of the lot.

Kausal - Evac