Stratovarius vocalist Timo Kotipelto says he is once again on speaking terms with guitarist Timo Tolkki and will rejoin the band on stage for the Gates of Metal in Hultsfred on July 31.
Listen to a sample from the upcoming Meshuggah EP "I": http://www.tandjent.com/meshforum/media/Meshuggah-I-(clip).mp3
Tons of Scandinavian music is the latest Aquarius Records new release list including Hans Edler, Magyar Posse, Pan Sonic, Aavikko, Finntroll and more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html
EST/Esbjörn Svensson Trio will finally release their most recent album, the highly acclaimed "Seven days of falling", in the US on August 24 through 215 Records. Read more: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=3800
Rising from the ashes of Kinkaid, the new band Novak will release their debut single "It all works out in the end" on a white vinyl 7" on June 20 via Novoton Records. The recordings were engineered by Pierre Lindsjöö at his studio Konst&Ramar (Ceasars Palace, Dungen, Empire Dogs, Strip Music) and mixed by Linus Larsson (Ed Harcourt, Mercury Rev, Nicolai Dunger, Heikki). A full-length will follow in early September.
This week's Scandinavian music reviews from Sellfish:
House of Mirrors - Nightflight to paradise
Peter Pan Speedrock - Loud, mean, fast & dirty
Psychopunch - Smashed on arrival
Check out the video for "Make it happen" from The Tough Alliance: http://www.dach.se/the%20tough%20alliance.mov
Kenneth Ishak of Norway's Beezewax will be playing solo at the Baybeats Festival in Singapore on July 18. His solo debut "Northern Exposure" should also be out in the US on PopKid Records around July as well. A video was recently filmed for the track "How you have grown" and it should be getting aired on Scandinavian TV soon.
In keeping with the theme set by the album of the month, I have posted some live tracks from Umeå's Cult of Luna. As mentioned numerous times, the current album of the month from Koma features two members from CoL. Enjoy!
Some news from A West Side Fabrication....
The rumors are true: there is indeed a Bear Quartet tribute in the works. 15 bands, out in August.
Also coming in August is an album from new signee Boy Omega, who they describe as Bright Eyes with the voice of Robert Smith from The Cure.
They also signed power-pop act/Monastir sideproject Holiday With Maggie and will release their new album "Skyline Drive" on June 30.
Lastly, Finland's Penniless will release "All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait" as their new single which will come with three unreleased b-sides.
Sähko Recordings has tracklist info and samples for the new Nicole Willis CD/2xLP: http://www.sahkorecordings.com/puu-31.php
Instead of announcing new bands one act at a time, the people behind the Hole in the Sky Festival have decided to squash the rumors and just announce the whole thing. Acts confirmed so far are Glenn Danzig (US), Entombed, Vader (POL), Katatonia, Aura Noir, Zyklon, Susperia, 1349, Manes (GER), Keep of Kalessin and Disiplin.
MIC Norway profiles three artists appearing at this year's Sonar electronic music festival in Spain: Maja Ratkje, Deathprod and Susanna and the Magical Orchestra: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004061810171838805218