Opeth mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt is back with classic Swedish death-metal act Bloodbath. The band recently recorded a brand new 4-song EP called "Unblessing of purity" which will be released soon and there's even plans for another full-length. Personally, I'm just happy to get new music from 'em, I could pretty much care less about who's singing.
Finnish indie label Nature Sucks Anyway has signed singer/songwriter Marcus Granfors and will be releasing his new album "Heartbeat" on February 20.
Trewetha Records is offering up a free 3-track EP from instrumental electro act Pekker for free download: http://www.trewetharecords.com/
Pekker is the duo of Stiff from Midnight Monkeys plus his friend Max.
Swedish stonerrockers Blowback have decided to not work with Canadian label Obskure Sombre Records for the release of their new record "Morning wood" and will instead license it to Transubstans Records out of Malmö. Hear a few tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blowbackband
Watch a video of Alog premiering a new, homebuilt instrument they will be using for upcoming performances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krW_mFZwMKE
I know I've said it before, but Alog is one of my all-time favorite experimental/electronic acts and this is yet another good reason why. The instrument they build is called a "Slåttberg" and it's a strange digital/analog hybrid made to approximate the traditional Norwegian instrument, the Hardanger fiddle.
Upcoming releases on the way from Swedish indie label Hybris:
02/27 - TIAC - Overstaying the welcome
04/03 - Juvelen - tba
04/09 - Vapnet - tba
04/23 - The Kid - tba
May - Like Honey - tba
?? - Montt Mardié - tba (UK release)
Finnish hardcore act Abduktio has two new tracks posted on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/abduktiofinland
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Madrugada - Madrugada
02. Secret Garden - Inside I'm singing
03. Sie Gubba - Sånn e livet
04. Bertine Zetlitz - In my mind 1997-2007 Best of
05. Madcon - So Dark the Con of Man
06. Anne Nørdsti - Livli på låven
07. Venke Knutson - Crush
08. Celine - Bæstevænna
09. Hellbillies - Spissrotgang
10. The Margarets - Twenty Years Erased
11. WE - Tension & Release
12. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Ord & Øgonblick
13. Kurt Nilsen - Push push
14. Henning Kvitnes - Stemmer i gresset
15. Valkyrien Allstars - Valkyrien Allstars
16. Nora Brockstedt - Nora - For Swingende
17. Solveig Slettahjell - Domestic songs
18. CC Cowboys - På Svalbard uten strøm
19. BigBang - Something Special - The Best
20. Erik og Kriss - Verden vil bedras
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
02. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
03. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
04. Säkert! - Säkert!
05. Sara Isaksson & Anders Widmark - Pool of happiness
06. Alf Robertson - Alf Robertsons bästa
07. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
08. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
09. Marie Picasso - The secret
10. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
11. Jill Johnson - Music Row
12. Anna Christoffersson - One
14. Daniel Lemma - Somebody on your side
15. Mando Diao - Never seen the light of day
16. Peter Jöback - Människor som du och jag
17. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
18. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
19. Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum och tång
20. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
MIC Norway on Smalltown Supersund/Smalltown Superjazzz and their upcoming label nights in Oslo and Austin, TX: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008013111452733410849
The Guardian profiles Norwegian artist DiskJokke: http://music.guardian.co.uk/newbands/story/0,,2249326,00.html?
Confessions of a Would-Be Hipster reports on Peter Morén's (Peter Bjorn and John) LA show at Hotel Cafe: http://wouldbehipsterconfessions.blogspot.com/2008/01/peter-morn-hotel-cafe.html
New tourdates for IAT.MP3 artist The Grand Opening now posted in the sidecolumn. Look for more news regarding the new album "Beyond the brightness" soon.
Check out The Raveonettes' new video for "Candy": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQoPAXIvLyA