Also coming up from Havoc in the future will be a new 7" from 365 Dagar Av Synd, the Swedish crusties formally known as Dödsdömd. There will also hopefully be new full-lengths from both Skitsystem and Victims, but nothing is confirmed just yet.
Swedish punk-rockers The Accidents are now on myspace and streaming a demo track from their upcoming album "Poison chalice": http://www.myspace.com/therealaccidents
This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:
01. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
02. The Rasmus - No Fear
03. Crashdiet - Breakin The Chainz
04. HIM - Wings Of A Butterfly
05. Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln
06. Darin - Why Does It Rain
07. The Legends - He Knows The Sun
08. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
09. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
10. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
11. Stratovarius - Maniac Dance
12. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
13. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
14. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
15. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station To Station
16. Karl Larsson - Off The Cliff
17. Peshi - Hush Hush
18. Håkan Hellström - Gårdakvarnar och Skit
19. Thomas Dybdahl - If We Want It, It's Right
20. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
Challengers:
01. Timbuktu - Stirra Ner
02. Jupither - Love
03. The Cardigans - I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer
04. Hellacopters - I'm In The Band
05. Blindside - Fell In Love With The Game
Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753
Finland's Paavoharju have the album of the week spot over at Stylus: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3341
Download the brand new Bergman Rock track "Even endlessness begins (with an end)": http://www.bergmanrock.com/even_endlessness.mp3
The video for the new Children of Bodom single "In your face" has been posted online: [click here]
Here's some samples from the new single "The flock" from Finnish electro artist Mr. Velcro Fastener: http://www.stars-music.com/stars/releases.php
The guest vocalist on the track is Tuomas Toivonen from Giant Robot. The new MRVF full-length comes out in January.
The latest Aquarius Records new release list has a ton of Scandinavian stuff including Burning Saviours, Circle, Kemialliset Ystavat, Turbonegro, Nordvargr, Opeth and tons more of their usual choice selections: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html
Cat5
Play this loud/Sexy CDS
Service
Pretentiousness aside, this is almost a perfect slice of pure (somewhat) subversive pop with sexy lyrics and vocals. They look like a female version of labelmates The Tough Alliance, but their music is much less indie and way more pop. Fun stuff.
- Simon Tagestam
Timo Räisänen
Pussycat CDS
Razzia Records
Sweden's Timo Räisänen is famous in his mother country for being in Håkan Hellström's backing band and being a member of Her Majesty. This is the third single from his first solo album that was released earlier this year, and even though the actual album is a bit of a hit and miss affair, this is a fine, fine song. It's classic happy-go-lucky Swedish indie rock, and I find it hard to think that anyone could not like this song the first time they hear it. It's a bit like Shout Out Louds but less quirky and more melodic. The b-side is surprisingly bad though.
- Simon Tagestam
Tokyo Eye
Vindictive 7"
Vapen & Godis
Ah, the punk-rock 7". Such a quaint relic of a bygone era. Same goes for the Born Against t-shirt worn by the band member on the front cover. Not that punk can't still be vital and important (I'll always love Born Against and support the DIY scene), but as they openly acknowledge with the song "Heard it all before", they aren't really doing anything new. Thankfully that's not the sole qualifier for good music because we'd be screwed. So if you're feeling nostalgic for grrl-punk such as Huggy Bear, check these kids out. It's not mindblowing, but I think it's good to hear that the spirit of that time lives on.
- Avi Roig
Wan Light
Carmaline
Labrador
"The grim reality" is not only one of the best songs of the year, but the grim reality is also that summer's ending and this review is way too long overdue (my sincere apologies to the band who gave me this CD when they played in London ages ago). Wan Light sounds a bit like The Postal Service or a lo-fi version of The Flaming Lips (musically, but also lyrically - e.g. "The Eskimo in me"), and there's also a pleasant veil of melancholy over their music. The singer's voice might be an acquired taste, but if you manage to get over that obstacle there's plentiful to be gained from Wan Light.
- Simon Tagestam
Various Artists
Rojo.Tachan.Nosordo
AA/Nosordo
A collaboration with Spanish magazine Rojo and Swedish label Nosordo, this compilation goes through some compelling sounds and songs from different genres (pop, folk, electro, noise etc) but each a foot solidly planted in experimentation. Swedes Conduo Orchestra, Tsukimono, Henrik Rylander, The Idealist and possibly more each give fitting and diverse performances. Definitely an interesting listen.
- Simon Thibaudeau
Various Artists
We're for the unknown, unbought & unbossed
AA/Nosordo
This one, also from Nosordo, goes into a more noisy direction of different genres. Although there is some melody to be found here and there, this is way more about texture and moods than anything else. Definitely a well designed playlist and a most interesting compilation. In many ways this compilation gives a great overview of what the indie scene has become in recent years, and how many great artists you barely know are out there.
- Simon Thibaudeau
Okay, I admit it - I was a bit premature with my initial appraisal of the new Kaizers Orchestra record. I still think that the money they used for vocal lessons would've been better spent on booze, but whatever. What's done is done. "Maestro" isindeed fine album, despite my disatisfaction with the production. Even with the thickest layer of gloss, there's no getting around the fact that Kaizers Orchestra are not and will never be an act that's an easy sell. Sure, they've got great singalong parts, but is the world ready for a crazy circus-rock act that sings in Norwegian and bangs on oil drums? I've been a fan ever since I first heard them, but that's just me. Maybe it's quirky enough that it might just work? Today's mp3 is trademark Kaizers: exotic Eastern European folk melodies, huge choruses and plenty of lurching, bombastic rhythms. Come to think of it, what's not to like?