Vision and Light, a Beläten mixtape
Check out a -curated mix of quality industrial/synthpop creepiness, compiled for the webzine Invisible Guy right here. Tracks include selections from the catalog as well as other similarly-minded artists.
Rhys Marsh and the Autumn Ghost - The blue hour (teaser)
Due out September 21 via , the new album "The blue hour" from Rhys Marsh and the Autumn Ghost.
Picture - True EP
Gentle new age pop from 's newest artist Picture, aka David Kyhlberg, one half of Sail a Whale.
Väärt - 29 tills jag dör (video)
Umeå melancholy indie act Väärt will release their new album "Palla orka" on August 22 and you can now check out the video for the first single "29 tills jag dör" at PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2012/08/20/premiar-vaart-29-tills-jag-dor/
Great band, well worth checking out.
House of Dolving community barn-raising
Peter Dolving (ex-The Haunted) is crowdsourcing his next record: http://www.fundedbyme.com/projects/2012/08/house-of-dolving/
iDEAL Mixtape #2
iDEAL Mixtape #2, as curated/created by artist Dan Fröberg. "Can a sound be round? Is the sounds all around? Is a sound upside down?"
Highasakite on high
Norwegian indie act Highasakite seems to be getting a lot of post-Øya buzz despite their culturally insensitive/offensive/appropriating stagewear and Paste is one of the many on board. Head over there to read more praise and to stream their new "Indian summer" EP: http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/08/album-stream-highasakite---indian-summer-ep.html
Näääk ft. Nimo - Blåser min rök (video)
Something new from Swedish hip-hop artist Näääk off his upcoming album "Mannen utan mask", due out September 26.
A Nighthawk - Until I faltered I wasn't free (video)
New visuals from A Nighthawk -- cold and dark, quite fitting for the song.
Ingrid signs Kriget, Woodlands
All-star Swedish label collective will release new albums from both Kriget and Woodlands this fall: http://www.ingrd.com/2012/first-news-for-fall/
Kriget, as mentioned before, is the instrumental act of Per Nordmark (Fireside, Britta Persson, etc.), Crille Roth (Monster, Hets) and Gustav Bendt (Moneybrother, Club Killers). Woodlands, on the other hand, features Sara Wilson (First Floor Power), Niklas Korssell (Tutankamon, The Plan) and Marcus Holmberg (Komeda).
Jess and the Ancient Ones
s/t
Svart Records
This is quite the surprise release by this relatively new Finnish seven piece. There's an immediate atmosphere here that's both unique and captivating -- a retro heavy rock psychedelia that doesn't sound quite like anyone else. That said, the Finns obviously pull their musical inspiration from the likes of Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Mercyful Fate as is evident on numerous occasions throughout the album. There's also a slight hint of early Metallica found here and there, although it must be stressed that this isn't a metal album by any stretch. Frontwoman Jess has a great sounding voice, although it seems to lack power in some areas, most likely a result of the vocals being slightly dimmed in the mix. There's a touch of a feminine Patrick Dubar in her voice who, for those of you who don't know, was the extremely underrated vocalist of '90s hard rock band Mindfunk. For the most part this album is upbeat, driving stuff, with incredible musicianship on display -- from the Maiden/Lizzy pummel of "Ghost riders" to the "People are strange" vibe of "Devil (in g minor)" and the subdued Opeth-prog of closer "Come crimson death" -- and almost perfect pacing throughout. It's an exciting body of work with a powerful production that hints at bigger and better to come from these occultists.
- John Norby
The Brimstone Days - I need soul (video)
From The Brimstone Days' upcoming 7" split with Bulldog Mack, due out in September via .
Håkon Kornstad Tenor Battle at Øya (live video)
Live footage of Håkon Kornstad Tenor Battle live at the Øya Festival -- always worth checking out.