Even though they may only have one original member left, Mayhem is planning a 20-year anniversary party/show next year. It'll probably take place at the Rockefeller in Oslo and will hopefully feature special guests. Of course, the whole thing will be filmed for an eventual DVD release.
Finnish band The Bullets made their live debut yesterday with a three-hour set in "the tiny ladies room of Papin Nenä" in Vaasa. They played under the alias "The Toilets", which of course was mighty appropriate for the occasion. And as they say themselves, definitely not a bad way to spend your first gig. Pics here: http://mokomaki.com/bullets/toilets/
Go here for video footage of Hell On Wheels playing live in Brazil: http://mtv2.msn.com.br/audio_video/ (in Portuguese)
MIC Norway discusses the new :rarum series disc from renown European jazz label ECM featuring drummer Jon Christensen: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004051315583679339894
It's strange they don't mention it, but Rune Kristoffersen of Grappa/ECM is also the man behind another highly regarded label of his own, Rune Grammofon.
Here's a couple mp3s from new Dead Frog Records releases:
Kordon - Trophy
Waver - Second Chance
Kordon's new album "Totally Not Lame" came out on May 10 and Waver's album "Population: fifteen" came out last month.
Here's an e-card for the new Deportees single "Arrest Me 'Till It Hurts": http://www.emi.se/ecard/deportees/index.htm
Some pics of The Cardigans playing at Maxwell's in NJ the other day: http://www.herjazz.org/mt/archives/cat_live_performances.html#000111
Swedish metal act Amon Amarth has set "Fate of Norns" as the title of their forthcoming album, tentatively due out late 2004 via Metal Blade Records. The band plans to enter Berno Studio in Malmö on May 17 to begin recording.
Check out the video for "Trollhammaren" from Finnish humppa-metallers Finntroll: http://finntroll.net/video/
The track comes from the band's second album "Nattfödd", out now on Century Media.
Some upcoming dates for Finland's Sunride:
05/14 - Zebra, Kil (SWE) w/Sparzanza
05/15 - Valhall, Falun, Sweden (SWE) w/Sparzanza
05/28 - Deathroit, Jyväskylä (FIN) w/Mokoma, Mannhai
05/29 - TVO, Turku (FIN) w/Heaven 'n' Hell
07/16 - Tuska Festival Club @ Botta, Helsinki (FIN) w/Spiha, Defuse
07/31 - Naamat Festari, Muurame (FIN) w/Kari Peitsamo
08/21 - Sararock, Laukaa (FIN) w/Swallow The Sun, Machine Men
Apparently drummer Mikko is still a bit messed up from a recent accident, so this weekend provides a rare chance to see him play one-footed.
The new Swedish band The Gmeyer featuring members from Weeping Willows, Bob Hund, Bear Quartet and Urga now have a website online: http://www.thegmeyner.com/
The new single "My Angel" comes out June 2 and you can listen to a sample here: http://www.thegmeyner.com/sound/my_angel.mp3
Some news from Green Carnation:
Tchort reveals to band members that he started working on ideas for what might become "Light of Day, Day of Darkness" part II and III. Tchort said "that I never thought about continuing on the path set with "Light of Day, Day of Darkness" - until now. Lately I have gotten new ideas that excites me alot. It might just be the weather and all the lite-dressed girls outside lately that makes me feel this way, but it also might be a rush of genuine inspiration that such work as making a second and third part would require."
The brand new (International) Noise Conspiracy album "Armed Love" has now been confirmed for a July 27 release date.
There's a singer/songwriter showcase at the Picnic Festival/Långholmen in Stockholm on June 12. Artists set to appear include Kristofer Åström, Richard Buckner (US), Nicolai Dunger, Anna Ternheim, Ane Brun and Tomas Andersson Wij.