Enforcer confirm new record, offer sample
Swedish metal act Enforcer has confirmed that they will be releasing their sophomore album "Diamonds" on May 24 via /. Check out a preview track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/enforcerswe
Country: Sweden
Niels Nielsen - Shadow twin
Niels Nielsen is offering up a new track for free download called "Shadow twin": http://nielsnielsen.net/
Look for his new album "Cmon vultures part: 2" to be released soon.
Ludwig Bell - Jag är en idiot (video)
Check out the video for the new Ludwig Bell single "Jag är en idiot": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mUgKZeqreA
Pitchfork reviews Kissaway Trail, Love Is All
Pitchfork has what I believe to be an accurate assessment of the new Kissaway Trail album "Sleep mountain": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14057-sleep-mountain/
Also reviewed, the new Love Is All record "Two thousand and ten injuries": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14062-two-thousand-and-ten-injuries/
New Watain in June
Watain's new album "Lawless darkness" has been confirmed for release on June 7.
October Tide signs with Candlelight
have announced the signing of Katatonia sideproject October Tide and will be releasing their new album this coming fall. The band's much-heralded 1997 album "Rain without end" was recently reissued by the label.
Despotz signs Petter & The Pic
have signed yet another new band, Petter & The Pix, who are also apparently the live backing band for Miike Snow. Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/petterandthepix
Dungen back to the UK
Dungen will be doing a couple UK dates at the end of May:
05/30 - Euroculted, Manchester
05/31 - Luminaire, London
New music from Dollhouse
Swedish soul-rockers Dollhouse are streaming a couple new tracks from their new album "Rock n roll revival" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rockandsoul
The official release date of said album is April 7.
Ikons
s/t
Service
There's nothing quite like the feeling induced by an airy, nostalgic collection of music that appeals to all the senses rather than simply landing on the ears and, well, sounding like the average album does. Thankfully, "Ikons" is not your average album. Simply listening to this results in a variety of sweeping images being projected into the mind's eye. For example, opener "Slow light" conjures up images of gliding through clear blue skies, ultimate freedom and joy at the forefront of the imagination. And maybe this isn't even the correct interpretation -- if there is one. That's one of the appeals of this album; the ability to induce imaginative visuals and for each listener to have his own ideas of what the music represents. Vocals are used very sparingly here, and when they do appear they offer a distinct '80s new-wave aura that fits perfectly with the rest of the music. "Ikons" is one of those albums that offers a wide variety of styles from song to song while remaining completely coherent as a single entity. There's the chill-out ambience of "Domine", the anthemic "Bye", the pure rock of "The hawk" and everything in between. The oblique return to "Slow light" for closer "Untitled" works unbelievably well in winding the album down on a positive note. While "Ikons" is a wonderful album sonically, it must surely come into its own in the live environment, since an integral part of the band's lineup is visual artist Patrik Johansson, who plies his trade onstage by creating stunning visual concepts to complement the music. They've been lauded for their live shows in the past and one can only imagine how sublime the coupling of the two artforms would work in that setting.
- John Norby
5-10-15-20 with Love is All
Pitchfork interviews Josephine Olausson of Love is All in their "5-10-15-20" series covering the important artists they've loved at various junctures of life: http://pitchfork.com/news/38261-5-10-15-20-love-is-all-frontwoman-josephine-olausson/
PS, it's "800 degrees" by Ebba Grön, not Evergrön.
The Fine Arts Showcase - This is the day
is giving away the brand new single "This is the day" from The Fine Arts Showcase: http://www.adrianfiles.com/01.THIS_IS_THE_DAY.mp3
Great stuff, as always!
This week's Last.fm chart
Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. The Bear Quartet
02. The Radio Dept.
03. Markus Krunegård
04. Shout Out Louds
05. Kent
06. Hello Saferide
07. Moto Boy
08. El Perro del Mar
09. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
10. Håkan Hellström
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
Anna Von Hausswolff to release full-length in May
On May 5 Swedish artist Anna Von Hausswolff will follow up her well-regarded double single "Track of time" with her full-length debut "Singing from the grave" via the label . Said album was recorded with much-respected producer Henryk Lipp (besides being a member of Blue for Two with Freddie Wadling, he also recorded much of 's output among many other fine records) and is said to have been largely tracked live in the studio.
Hellsongs Baltic tour
Hellsongs are heading to the Baltics in June:
06/10 - Nabaklab, Riga (LAT)
06/11 - Svyturio menu dokas, Kiwi Club, Klaipeda (LIT)
06/12 - Fontaine Palace, Liepaja (LAT)