The latest Aquarius Records new release list features selections from Scandinavian artists Dungen, Beyond Sensory Experience, Islaja, Circle, Jaga Jazzist, Runemagick and more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html
Swedish electronic artist Sophie Rimheden will be releasing a new single entitled "Red line" later this month. The disc will include three versions of the track, a radio version, a club mix and a experimental version, along with a video by Harvest Light.
Duplicate Records has announced plans to release a new 3xCD comp from Beyond Dawn entitled "Strictly Mondays – 15 Years Far From Showbiz" to celebrate the long-running Norwegian group's 15 year anniversary. The labels says: "Expect lots of rare and unreleased stuff, a remastered collection of songs from all the band’s albums, a detailed booklet containing photos, lyrics, press clippings etc., and very likely a surprise or two." One of my long-time favorites, from their humble drone/doom beginnings to their later avant-pop years, this is definitely something to look forward to.
Here's the latest Scandinavian music reviews from Sellfish this week:
The Dead Playboys - Last call for alcohol
Turbonegro - Party animals
The Pohjolas - I cracked my head on a rock
Ex-Immortal bassist Iscariah has started a new project called Dead to this World and you can listen to their 3-song demo on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deadtothisworld
Iscariah plans to put together a lineup for live shows soon and will be recording their debut album this summer.
Terrorizer is reporting that Snorre Ruch of Thorns is busy working on material for his next album and is assembling a group of backing musicians to feature the omnipresent drumming of Hellhammer (Mayhem, Arcturus, etc.) combined with a group of jazz musicians. "I am trying to put together a jazz band here," he said, "It's still going to be in the vein of Thorns 'cos I will be writing the music, but I want to work with people that can bring diverse influences to the new record."
Norwegian hardrockers WE continue their quest to take over the world by extending their reach into Denmark this week with the release of their acclaimed album "Smuggler" on Kick Music. They'll be playing one show over there this summer as well, on May 30 at Stengade 30 in Copenhagen.
I know, I know. It took me a ridiculously long time, but I finally finished transcribing my interview with Peter Ahlqvist from Burning Heart Records. Enjoy!
Today marks the start of a new feature here at IAT where I'll be posting old tunes for download on Fridays. I'm trying to keep to a more consistent mp3 posting schedule and this will give me an opportunity to feature some of the stuff from my collection that I feel deserves more attention. New stuff on Mondays and Wednesdays, classics on Friday. Got it?
Today's selection comes from Immortal of Norway, a band probably known better for their ridiculous photos than for their music. Which is a shame, because they were a great band. Many people consider the album "Battles of the north" to be their greatest contribution to the black-metal genre, but I think that's bullshit. Sure, it's cult and grim and all that, but it also has a terrible recording, zero dynamics and is incredibly boring. I need more than ridiculously fast buzzing guitars and absolute nihilism, okay? It's only after that album that Immortal truly started to improve, firmly establishing themselves as one of the BM greats. Each new album found the band becoming more progressive and more melodic, but never ever sacrificing their eminent darkness or their brutality. Sure, it's not all hyperspeed blast-beats anymore, but I happen to think that tempo changes are a good thing. The culmination of their career was 2002's "Sons of nothern darkness" from which this song is the lead track. Listen to that drumming! Those riffs! So amazing. It's a shame the band isn't around anymore, but at least they went out at the top of their game.
Sidenote: if anyone has any clever suggestions for what I should call my Friday feature, I'll be happy to reward you with free CDs should I actually end up using your idea. Go here to weigh in.
The Knife will be contributing a remix to the new Jenny Wilson single "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward", due out May 11 on their own label Rabid Records. They describe it as "dancy, desolate, classic techno" akin to something Jimmy Sommerville (Bronski Beat) would do.
Swedish punks Randy have posted a demo version of a brand new song called "Evil". Check it: http://www.randytheband.com/?NODE=113
Download "Cerrbellum" from Plain Fade: http://www.punossound.net/Plain_Fade-Cerebellum.mp3
The track comes from the band's new album "Lies, Sanctions and Cruise Missiles" out now on Punos Sound. I haven't gotten a copy yet, but this is a record I've been very excited to hear considering how great everything I've heard from them has been.