Speaking of Aquarius Records, this week's new release list features a ton of Scandinavian artists such as Enslaved, Nordvargr (MZ412), BJ Nilsen (Hazard), Circle and tons more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html
Jonas from Revolvo has a new band called Arm. Go here to check out their website and download a couple mp3s: http://arminfo.cjb.net/
New mp3 today from Logh, one of the best bands in Sweden - no, fuck it - one of the best, most exciting bands in the world right now. I've debated with myself about posting a track from the new album "A sunset panorama" because it so very hard to separate the individual tracks from the work as a whole. I'd barely even call them songs, as they're more akin to chapters in a story - they just don't make nearly as much sense when isolated from the entire piece. It has taken me quite a few listens to really understand this album because there's just so much to take in and so much of it is so subtle. The band's sheer audacity to track the whole recording live in one 10-hour session would've been enough to merit acclaim from me, but that they completed the task with such brilliant results takes it to another level. When I listen to Logh, I'm filled with feelings of both dread and yearning - it's a sense of melancholy that eludes simple description but is totally captivating and overwhleming. Listening to one song is just a mere glimpse of their greatness - this is music that is meant to be absorbed and contemplated. One of the best albums of 2005? Yes, I have no doubt.
Smalltown Supersound has announced that Jaga Jazzist is finished with their new album "What we must" and will release it on April 4. The record is said to span many musical styles including shoegazer pop and 70's prog and, if the new songs I heard live in November were any indication, a bit of post-rock atmospherics. Seven songs total, produced by Marcus Schmickler and Kåre Chr. Vestrheim.
Traditional Finnish/Sámi joik artist Wimme in the UK in May:
05/03 - South Hill Park, Bracknell
05/04 - Lakeside, Nottingham
05/05 - St George's, Brisol
05/06 - Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton
05/07 - St Luke’s, London
05/08 - The Shed, Brawby
05/09 - Phoenix, Exeter
Swedish emo act In Memory of Me has a new website: http://www.inmemoryofme.net/
I thought no one willingly claimed themselves as emo anymore?
Aversionline reviews the "This Town Has Already Been Bombed" compilation from Sweden's All Systems Go! Records: http://www.aversionline.com/reviews/2096/
Splendid approves of The Tiny: http://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1105959448115258
Norwegian black-metal act Taake has announced that the final album "...Doedskvad" of their trilogy will be released on February 28. The band describes the work as "a pure, cold and grim black metal masterpiece" and it will feature guest appearances from scene luminaries such as Nattefrost (Carpathian Forest), Nordavind (ex-Carpathian Forest) and Taipan (Orcustus). A special vinyl edition will also be coming out via Agonia Records eventually along with a split 7" with Vidsyn.
Swedish rockers The Bones will be touring the US alongside The Black Halos, River City Rebels and legendary pop-punkers The Queers starting in mid-March. Dates:
03/19 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/20 - Houston, TX
03/22 - New Orleans, LA
03/23 - Tallahassee / Pensacola, FL
03/24 - St. Petersburg, FL
03/25 - Orlando, FL
03/26 - Jacksonville, FL
03/27 - Atlanta, GA
03/29 - Charlotte, NC
03/30 - Richmond, VA
03/31 - Washington, DC
04/01 - Philadelphia, PA
04/02 - Continental, New York City, NY
04/03 - Boston, MA
04/05 - Burlington, VT
04/06 - Poughkeepsie, NY
04/07 - Cleveland, OH
04/08 - Detroit, MI
04/09 - Chicago, IL
The Finnish Music Information Centre has published a new book on the links between the traditional poetry of the Kalevala and its use in Finnish music: http://tinyurl.com/3pbb3
Via DJ Martian comes word that Mr. Velcro Fastener will be releasing a new EP called "Gone Mad" UK-based label Electrix Records which will include remixes from Imatran Voima and Transparen Sound. A new full-length is due out later this year.