Imperial Recordings artists Bobby will put out their third single "Tonight Let's Show The World" on February 21.
New Imperial signees Melpo Mene don't release their debut EP until March, but you can download some preview mp3s at their new website: http://www.melpomene.se/
One last Imperial-related item: José González will make his London debut at Besty Trottwood on February 6. It's a tiny venue (60 cap.), so it's probably advised to get tickets early.
Swedish Christian nü-metal act Blindside has a new song featured in the PS2 game 'Need For Speed Underground'. They are also involved in a Sony-sponsored contest to help promote it: http://www.sonymusic.com/contests/nfsu/
The band is also gearing up for the release of their new album "About A Burning Fire" on February 24 and is putting out the call to enlist street-team members. All you aimless teens with spare time to spam message boards and pass out merch at shows go here to sign up: http://www.blindsideonline.com/signup/
Upcoming European tourdates for Swedish hardrockers Backdraft:
03/12 - Rockcafé de Engel, Den Helder (HOL)
03/14 - Frontline, Gent (GER)
03/18 - Tap Tab, Schaffhausen (SWI)
03/20 - Angel, Jerez de la Frontera (SPA)
03/24 - Spirit Of 66, Verviers (GER)
03/25 - The Peel, Kingston/London (UK)
03/26 - The Royal George, Birmingham (UK)
Amulet and Cato Salsa Experience are teaming up for a few Norwegian shows under the banner of the 'Rocknroll Intercourse tour.' Dates:
03/12 - Folken, Stavanger
03/13 - UHS, Bergen
03/19 - Meieriet, Sogndal
03/20 - Samfundet, Trondheim
Upcoming Swedish dates for Amulet:
02/04 - Sticky Fingers, Göteborg
02/05 - Cafe 44, Stockholm
02/06 - Mariehamn
02/07 - Falun
02/19 - Studentuka, Hønefoss
02/20 - Sarpsborg
P3 Musikjournalen reports that MNW has narrowly avoided bankruptcy: http://www.sr.se/p3/musikjournalen/arkiv.asp?DagensDatum=2004-01-21&Artikel=355864 (in Swedish)
As reported before, MNW recently closed its distribution arm and is now concentrating solely on the label side of business. They used to be one of Sweden's biggest distros.
Pitchfork gives a tepid response to The Wannadies: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/w/wannadies/before-and-after.shtml
Pelle Gustafsson, Sanna Bråding and Valle Westesson are three more names being added to the P3 Popstad lineup.
Dusted reviews the new album "Guillotine" from Finnish psych/post-rockers Circle: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/1220
Zyklon has been tapped to open for Arch Enemy on the latter's upcoming European tourdates:
02/17 - Live Music Hall , Cologne (GER)
02/18 - RockIt, Aalen/Stuttgart (GER)
02/19 - New Backstage, Munich (GER)
02/21 - Cesena, Vidia (IT)
02/22 - Motion, Bergamo (IT)
02/24 - Razzmatazz II, Barcelona (SPA)
02/25 - Caracol, Madrid (SPA)
02/27 - Elysee Montmartre, Paris (FRA)
02/28 - Lantaarrn, Hellendoorn (NL)
02/29 - Effenaar, Eindhoven (NL)
03/02 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
03/03 - Works, Osnabruck (GER)
03/04 - Zeche Carl, Essen (GER)
03/05 - Hof Ter Loo, Antwerpen (BEL)
They'll also be heading to Japan for the first time to play the Extreme the Dojo Festival.
In Flames has resigned with Nuclear Blast and has set April 6 as the release date for their new album "Soundtrack To Your Escape". Europeans get the album one week earlier on March 26.
Hypocrisy recently finished filming a video for the song "Eraser" from their upcoming album "The Arrival". According to mainman Peter Tägtgren, it is said to contain "some science fiction, some naked ladies and then some." The album is due out February 16 on Nuclear Blast.
Musique One Stop is updated with new pics of the Latin Kings and Paris: http://www.photohenrik.com/mos/
Michael Denner and Hank Shermann, the core guitar duo of Mercyful Fate, will release the debut album from their new band Force of Evil January 26 on Escapi Media. The band also consists of bassist Hal Patino (King Diamond), drummer Bjarne Holm (Mercyful Fate), and vocalist Martin Steene (Ironfire). Various samples are available on the band's website here: http://www.forceofevil.net/