DigitalMetal interviews Norwegian metal act In Vain: http://www.digitalmetal.com/interviews.asp?iID=7338
Scraps of Tape has a new, unfortunately Flash-heavy website: http://www.scrapsoftape.com/
Khoma will support 36 Crazyfists on the following UK dates:
06/09 - Corporation, Sheffield
06/13 - Barfly, Cardiff
06/14 - Barfly, Birmingham
06/15 - Barfly, London
MP3: Halph - Life part II
Denmark's Halph is a band that's hard to pin down. The duo's dark, droning sound bewilders and intoxicates with repetitious riffs and deep, deadpan vocals. Sometimes they let loose and let everything erupt into noise, but they usually keep things tight and fierce. I'm not usually so big on guitar/drum duos, but the interplay between guitarist/vocalist Thomas Nygaard and drummer Karsten Bagge is so intense, so well developed that I barely notice the lack of bass. This particular song I've posted today reminds me of Lungfish in the way that it's monotonous, yet so sinister. It doesn't work like a traditional song with verses, choruses and an emotional arc, but that's not the point. It's all about the mood, the moment. [BUY IT]
Halph - Life part II
Today's mp3 comes to us from manic Swedish instrumental act Alarma Man. Or at least they were instrumental until this release which I believe features guest vocals from singer/songwriter Ed Greene. And what release is this you might ask? Why it's from their split 12" with fellow nutjobs Knife and Ape. Too much insanity for a mere 7", that's the truth. The band describes themselves as "labyrinth-punk" that's as apt descriptor as I've ever heard. I especially like the part in the middle where it sounds like they pushed the guitarists down the stairs - they can barely keep it together, but that's what's so exciting about it. Great stuff.
Vapnet's video for "Thoméegränd" is now online: http://hybrisfiles.com/video/vapnet-thomeegrand.mp4
Check out the video for the new Firefox AK single "Love to run": http://www.razziarecords.se/uploads/Love%20to%20run%20(Razzia).mov
In addition to playing the Great Escape Festival in London on May 18, Laakso says they will also play the White Light club at the Tatty Bogles the following evening. But it's not true - the venue is apparently closed for remodeling, so a substitute venue is being sought. More details to come?
Labrador has posted a song from the new [ingenting] EP: http://www.labrador.se/mp3/ingenting-slapp_in_solen.mp3
Head over to Khoma's website for some updates in the diary concerning tour plans and the second pressing of their new album "The second wave": http://www.khoma.net/index2.aspx
Junk Music will be releasing a new album from New David soon entitled... "Junk". I don't see how it can compete with his excellent "Sings Kraftwerk" EP, but you never know. More details soon.
Norwegian rockers Jaqueline have finished mixing their new album "Reaping machine" and the first single "Medicine man" is now available for download on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jaquelineband
The band is the first signing of Nun Music, the label founded by the dudes in WE (see "Reader's companion volume one"). The new album comes out in September.
Eardrums interviews Norwegian noiserockers Hope I Die Virgin: http://eardrumsinterviews.blogspot.com/2006/05/eardrums-interview-with-hope-i-die.html