It appears that ex-Closer act The Goatboys was short-lived as members Alx Reuterskiöld (guitar), Jesper Örtegren (drums) and Joachim Dahlberg (guitar) have moved on to yet another new act, this one called Bright Oak. Listen to demos at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thebrightoak
Less heavy, more melodic, but still undeniably awesome as far as I'm concerned.
MP3: The Grand Opening - Dark dark dawn
The Grand Opening's new album "Beyond the brightness" is darker, more oblique than anything they've done before. Or perhaps I should say anything he's done before as TGO is, for all intents and purposes, the work of one John Roger Olsson. It's a record of stark minimalism and deceptive simplicity. A bare-bones track such as "Dark dark dawn" manages to say a lot with so, so little. JRO has mentioned to me that he's been getting more and more into ambient/experimental composers such as Tim Hecker, Harold Budd and Brian Eno and it shows. It's those empty spaces between the notes that give the music weight and meaning, that make it effective/affecting. There's an urgency to his vocal delivery, but it's tempered by pauses and second-guessing. He implores "Please intrude" with almost a sense of resignation; it's the other lines that seem more imploring, especially as the notes climb upward. After a short coda with a subtle 2nd guitar, I'm exhausted. Less is always more, doncha know?
The Grand Opening - Dark dark dawn
Aversionline on Norwegian grind act Slaxxmaal: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/04/09/slaxxmaal-reality-check/
Pitchfork review's Peter Morén's new solo record "The last tycoon": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/49499-the-last-tycoon
In case you missed it, our own review of said album is here.
In Flames
A sense of purpose
Nuclear Blast
In Flames' ninth studio album is a big YES if you are a 13 year old emo kid who think life sucks. With lyrics like "I feel like shit, but at least I feel something," it is evident enough they are aiming for the teen audience. On the contrary, it's a big NO if you like me, started to like this band around "The jester race" and have followed their demise. Sure, this album offers a few songs that will assure radio play and MTV exposure. "The mirrors truth", "March to the shore" and "Move through me", are all pretty good songs, but the formula is so well known from the last two efforts, you could swear you've heard this before. Sadly, half of the songs are b-side material at best. It's funny how this band moves more towards Korn and Linkin Park, but I guess they are going for the easy money. And sadly they will make some good cash with this half-assed album.
- Richard Wilson
Brightest Young Things interviews Peter Morén: http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/interviews/byt-interview-peter-moren/
Victims have added new dates and details to their upcoming North American jaunt: http://www.victimsinblood.com/tour.htm
Swedish hard-rockers Hell n' Diesel will have their most recent album "Passion for power" released in the US on June 10 via Locomotive/Ryko. It was originally released in 2007 via Smilodon.
Here's the new Kaross video for "Shovel", as directed by Robert Jonsson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_U-IzmsmM0
Dark Tranquility has added a string of US headlining gigs to follow their tour with Arch Enemy:
05/31 - Clubhouse, Phoenix, AZ
06/01 - Jillian's, Las Vegas, NV
06/02 - Avalon, Salt Lake City, UT
06/03 - Marquis, Denver, CO
06/05 - The Door, Dallas, TX
06/06 - Meridian, Houston, TX
06/07 - Scout Bar, San Antonio, TX
06/09 - The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
06/10 - Lincoln Theater, Raleigh, NC
Hey! Look to the right and you'll see that the first It's a Trap! Clubnight of the spring has been confirmed for May 9 and will feature Danes Barra Head plus (semi?) local dudes Surrounded. Killer!
The Control Group is offering up a free El Perro Del Mar track for download: http://www.controlgroupco.com/downloads/Glory_To_The_World.mp3
MI has the list of this year's recipients of the Django d'Or award for excellence in Swedish jazz: http://www.musikindustrin.nu/mi/smpage.fwx?page=198&NYHETER=8998
Absolut Noise has a new interview and mp3 from Nina Kinert: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04/nina-kinert-pets-friends-interview.html