Check out the video for I'm From Barcelona's latest single "Collection of stamps": http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/?id=dd798304-13f9-41c9-ad30-ccf55e12c6f7&delivery=stream
Swedish industrial act Sanctum reports that they are working on new material and will be playing two shows this summer. Dates:
06/30 - The Stage, Arnhem (NL)
06/31 - Les Instants Chavirés, Paris (FRA)
Download the single "Min ofödde bror" from Navid Modiri: http://www.navidmodiri.com/mp3/minofoddebror.mp3
Finnish stonerrockers Blake have posted the video for "Two ways" for streaming: http://www.manisaplanet.com/flash/video.html
The newly revamped Swedish hip-hop website Svenskunderjord is now online with tons of fresh new content: http://www.svenskunderjord.com/
I've mostly been seeing only tepid reviews, but Musique Machine really likes the new Satyricon: http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=768
Norwegian shoegazer revivalists Serena Maneesh on tour in the UK:
05/17 - Barfly (Camden), London w/The Low Frequency in Stereo (free!)
05/20 - Beach (The Great Escape Festival), Brighton
05/21 - Roadhouse, Manchester
05/22 - ABC2, Glasgow
05/23 - Barfly, Birmingham
05/24 - Ifor Bach, Cardiff
Aversionline on Niko Skorpio's (nee Sirkiä) old goth/doom band This Empty Flow and the reissue of their album "Magenta Skycode": http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/05/its-monday-im-bored-work-sucks.html
The new band featuring 3/4ths of Span with new frontman Sindri now has a name: Dog Almighty. Kinda cheesy if you ask me, but better than nothing. Read more: http://blog.myspace.com/sindrimusic
Absolut Noise talks to Annika Norlin aka Hello Saferide: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2006/05/interview-hello-saferide.html
MP3: Enslaved - Ruun
Of all the original Norwegian black-metal acts, Enslaved has always been one of the best, most progressive bands. While others like Darkthrone refuse to change and bands like Emperor reverted back to exploring their tech/death-metal roots before breaking up, Enslaved consistently expanded on their so-called "viking metal" sound by incorporating even more grandiose melodies, clean expressive singing (and the use of English as opposed to their insistence of only speaking in old Norse) and weird psychedelic parts. I wasn't too stoked on the last two albums "Isa" and "Below the lights" since I considered them a bit of a regression following the brilliance of "Monumension" and "Mardraum", but the new record "Ruun" is a return to form. They've ditched the recycled Darkthrone grim/necro/kvlt-style riffage and gone back to what makes them great: more Voivod-esque syncopation and dissonance, less atonal droning. I had a hard time deciding on a standout track since the whole thing flows really well as an album, so I've posted the title track for you today. It has all the traits that make Enslaved great, so I think it's a good place to start.
Enslaved - Ruun
Dissatisfied with mp3 sound quality? Good news! I'm now carrying a vast majority of the Adrian Recordings catalogue in CD format now, as opposed to just mp3. Not only am I well-stocked on all of their older records, but I've also got copies of the new David & the Citizens DVD and their latest release, Familjen's self-titled debut EP! And for all you folks out there who think that high bit-rate DRM-free mp3s are still the bee's knees, I've got good news for you too! It's a trap! is now carrying digital releases from Parasol/Hidden Agenda! I'm still working on getting everything uploaded and entered into the database, but there's plenty of good stuff to choose from!
I'm letting IAT contributor Nancy Baym take over for this week's Friday mp3 post:
Clocking in at just under three minutes, here's a heavenly slice of hooks and harmony based pure pop perfection from Malmö's criminally overlooked Thirdimension (one of the bands featured on IAT's first sampler). "Hundred miles an hour" was the b-side of their super-catchy 1998 first single "This time" and, along with four other excellent numbers, can be downloaded from their website [ed: and in the playlist on the right, of course]. Few songwriters can compete with Björn Stegmann's knack for hooks, and across the board their musicianship is stellar. This song, recorded almost entirely in a single take, features more hooks than ought to be legal, delicious harmonies, booming bass, perfect drum riffs, and catchy as all get out guitar, complete with trademark Swedish hand claps. Who could ask for more?