Norwegian indie/hardcore label How Is Annie Records has two releases coming out on June 26, one from A Bunnys Caravan and one from indietronica duo Sirka Ragnar. Listen to a sample of the former here and the latter here.
Emmon, the electropop solo project of Emma from Swedish pop act Paris (as heard on "Reader's companion volume two"), has posted two new songs for download: http://www.emmon.se/
Check out an amazing video of Don Juan Dracula entering the stage at last year's Roserock Festival in Norway: [click here]
Alpine Those Myriads? were supposed to be releasing a new full-length album this fall, but have since decided to put out a limited seven-song MCD instead. The reason for the change of plans is that the band has such a huge amount of songs to choose from, they decided that the forthcoming record should be something more of a concept album and all of the songs will revolve around frontman Gypus Chelofan's own personal identity. That means the MCD will cover a more varied range of themes. More details to come.
Swedish crusties Imperial Leather on tour in the US:
06/10 - Haunted Kitchen, Lawrence, KS
06/11 - 423 Tillery St, Austin, TX
06/12 - Hail to Arms Manor, Lubbock, TX
06/13 - Rock N Java, Las Vegas, NV
06/14 - Blind Melons, San Diego, CA
06/15 - Zen Sushi, Los Angeles, CA
06/16 - Long Beach Warehouse, Long Beach, CA
06/17 - Metro, Oakland, CA
06/18 - Gilman Steet, Berkeley, CA
06/19 - Carlo's dad's house in Watsonville, CA
06/20 - Sapecement Records, Reno, NV
06/21 - The Android, Eugene, OR
06/22 - The Know, Portland, OR
06/23 - The Food Hole, Portland, OR
06/24 - Casabella Pizza, Seattle, WA
06/25 - tba, Vancouver, BC
06/26 - Ocean Island, Victoria, BC
06/27 - Mytle Morge, Boise, ID
06/28 - Less Art Warehouse, Denver, CO
06/29 - St. Joe Pub, Rapid City, SD
06/30 - Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN
Division of Laura Lee sideproject Frantic Mantis (also featuring Shelby from Decahedron/Frodus) has posted two brand new demo tracks for download: http://www.franticmantis.com/2006/06/repa-2.html
Via Lupatarkastaja comes word that Swedish goregrind legends General Surgery have posted a ton of old demo material for free download: http://www.generalsurgery.nu/
This is Carcass worship from back when Carcass was still mostly on top of their game.
Discobelle is offering up all the various components from Le Sport's latest single "Chemical drugs" for random remixes: http://www.discobelle.net/2006/06/02/remixin-it-up-part-2/
Hemstad sideprojects James Ausfahrt and Das Kometen both have brand new EPs available for free download via the Bat Boogie X netlabel: http://www.suchgreatheights.se/label/index.htm
El Perro Del Mar is doing a live session today on Mark Radcliffe's show on BBC 2: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/radcliffe/
Norwegian punks Johndoe are keeping a studio diary as they record their new album: http://www.johndoe.no/ (under 'Dagbook', in Norwegian only unfortunately)
Norrland punk-rockers Disconvenience report that their new full-length album "Umeå punk city" is finished and confirmed for release on LP in July via Cage Match Federation/Wasted Sounds. CD format will be out later on and Malaysian label Cactus Records will be putting it out on cassette with tracks from the "War on wankers" 7" included as a bonus. The sound is described as early 80s British punk meets the speed and urgency of early American hardcore. Listen to some samples:
01. Mental meltdown
02. I'm a pervert
Check out the video for "What is to be done?" from Swedish hip-hop artist Menteroja: http://www.lillasyster.se/video/Windows%20Media/menteroja_-_what_is_to_be_done-svu.wmv
The track comes from his new record "Escaping from the artificial".
Absolut Noise talks to Johnossi: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2006/06/interview-johnossi.html
MP3: Lemonator - Heart burns
I don't usually take the time to post two songs from the same album, but rules are made to be broken and Lemonator deserves the attention. I discussed the song "Would you die for me?" last Monday and today it's all about "Heart burns", my pick for the album's highlight. You'll probably be surprised when you first hear it because it starts out guns ablazin' with loud, crashing chords. There's nowhere to go but down, right? Au contraire! The piece still has plenty of room to grow, as you'll soon discover when you listen on. First comes the dense chords to build tension and then once things take a quick breather for the chorus, the first round of strings come in. The harmonies they employ in the chord progression are so incredible and so far from pop norms. The intensity grows! The second chorus leaves you hanging like it's the end, but then the drums take off again and oh my god, the band just explodes and all the hairs on my arms and neck are sticking straight up in the air and holy shit those chords are just so thick and agonizing until the resolution when everything lines up again for the final chime of the main theme. Phew! So ridiculously good.
Lemonator - Heart burns