Swedish minimalist drone artist Militant Fields has posted their entire "80.39" EP for free download: http://www.militantfields.com/
The YLE X3M video chart is back from summer hibernation:
01. Korpiklaani - Kädet siipinä (FIN)
02. Röyksopp - Only this moment (NOR)
03. Crashdiet - Riot in everyone (SWE)
04. Sophie Rimheden - Red line (SWE)
05. Varano feat. Chords - Leaving my trouble behind (DK)
06. Poets of the Fall - Lift (FIN)
07. Leaves - Good enough (ICE)
08. Spiha - Planet horse (FIN)
09. Kaizers orchestra - Maestro (NOR)
10. User - Miss Wanted (SWE)
Challengers:
11. Children of Bodom - In your face (FIN)
12. Lutrica McNeal - What about it (SWE)
13. Smak - Vesi tulvii sisään (FIN)
Gluecifer has announced their final Norwegian shows:
10/12 - Samfundet, Trondheim
10/13 - USF Røkeriet, Bergen
10/14 - Sentrum Scene, Oslo
10/15 - Kulturhuset, Tromsø
Musique Machine reviews Norwegian death-industrial/power-electronics act Babyflesh: http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=662
Losing Today reviews the new singles from Amandine and Lorraine: http://www.losingtoday.com/tales.php?id=86 (scroll down)
Swedish bilingual pop act Sandy Mouche will release their new single "Une histoire" on August 22, the first from their forthcoming debut album "..and poems for the unborn". Preview the track here: http://www.sandymouche.com/une/une.html
Norwegian label Rec90 has confirmed that they will be releasing new albums from Low Frequency in Stereo and Bang Gang on August 22 and a new album from country duo Bob and Dave the following week on August 29.
Norwegian melancholy rock act The White Birch will release their new album "Come up for air" in November via Glitterhouse Records. The band's name does indeed come from the Codeine album, so that you give you a good idea of their sound. Download the first single "Your Spain" from the band's website: http://thewhitebirch.one.no/
Download some tracks from Finnish ambient guitar/drone act Cahier: http://www.angelfire.com/ill/toygeneration/co.html
Despite the Angelfire web address, this is some good stuff IMO. Think shoegazer rock minus a rhythm section.
Swedish darkwave act Arcana will contribute two tracks to an upcoming Dead Can Dance tribute on Projekt Records entitled "Summoning of the muse". Other artists contributing include Dark Sanctuary, Autumn's Grey Solace, Black Tape for a Blue Girl and more. Details: http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00173
I almost decided not to post a new track today. Not only is there nothing new that excites me, but I just finished reading "Our band could be your life" and it thoroughly depressed me. The book chronicles the careers of a number of 80s indie rock pioneers and it's so damn depressing to think about how promising the scene was at the beginning compared to how awful it is today. It was supposed to be about more than music. I'm not that old, but I do still remember back when you'd see a fellow punk-rocker on the street and give 'em a nod because you knew you were on the same team. Today? Yeah, right. There's still a good number of people out there who treasure what true "independent" music means, but they are in the minority. It almost enough to make me want to throw in the towel. Anyhow, enough of my ranting. On to the damn song.
It's not a secret that I'm no fan of twee-pop. I've tried my best to understand the appeal, but I just don't get it. So it's quite rare that I do find a band in said genre who I don't give up on right off the bat. Melpo Mene sure knows how to push my buttons, especially considering the "Star wars" lyrical theme, but I have to admit that they've got lots of charm. And man, I really do absolutely hate the cult of "Star wars", but I don't hate this. That's saying something. The song takes obvious cues from labelmate José González with its bossa-nova feel, but it's nowhere near as dark. Does this mean I'm softening up? Hell no, I'm still listening to tons of thrash, honest! It's not Scandinavian, but the new Municipal Waste album on Earache is killer. On the other hand, I also know that it's important to have a balanced musical diet. But what I really need to do is go home and go through all the CDs that I know are piling up and waiting for me. Can't wait, right?
Novoton Records (Antennas/Existensminimum/Black Belt) has announced the signing of Pascal. Look for their debut album to be released this coming fall.
Swedish garage-rockers De Stijl will release a new single and video in September. Their most recent album "Details" was released in March.