Webzine Aversionline is now updated for October with a feature on Arvika Sweden's ATTACK!fanzine along with their usual onslaught of reviews, including Apocryphal Voice, Blind Dog, Bolt, Victims, Hlidolf, Omnium Gatherum, Razor Crusade, Security Threat, Sewer Election, Switchblade, Total Devastation and tons more. As always, I don't necessarily agree with a lot of their taste, but anyone even remotely interested in hardcore and metal should definitely check it out.
Katatonia is currently assembling footage for an upcoming DVD to be released early next year, the group's first. No word on what it will contain, but they say they'll post details soon.
Soviac has been forced to cancel their current European tour and return home after completing eight dates. No specific reason was given for the move.
Electropop band KieTheVez is hard at work in the studio working on a new album, after taking an extended break following the group's performance in NYC way back in 1999. They also have a new website where you can download samples from the band's recent work, as well as watch old videos and get more updated info on the band's activities.
Swedish psyche-rockers Dungen have started work on a new album for release next year on Dolores (CD version) and Subliminal Sounds (vinyl).
Norweigan Sámi singer Mari Boine has won the Nordic Council's Music Prize 2003 for her music and lyrics and you can read a detailed profile on her over at MIC Norway.
Norweigan goth-rocker Gothminister aka Bjørn Alexander Brem has signed a licensing deal with BMG Germany's imprint Drakkar for rerelease of his album "Gothic Electronic Anthems". The album has already charted in Europe on its original Tatra Records release, but the new deal promises to open up the artist to many more people with an extensive promotional campaign. Gothminister also plans to tour Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy and France in support.
The latest Brainwashed Brain has reviews and samples from the Motorpsycho/Jaga Jazzist horns "In the Fishtank" record, among others. Check it.
Electra Productions is putting on a special release event for the new compilation "Money Will Ruin Everyting" from Norweigan avant label Rune Grammofon. The show will take place at London Deluxe Gallery in Hoxton, London on October 24 and will feature live sets from Phonophani, Maja Ratkje (winner of Prix Ars Electronica 2003) and new signees Susanna And The Magical Orchestra, as well as a DJ set by Kim Hiorthoy. There will also be an exhibition of Hiorthoy's sleeve designs for the label on display from October 23-24. More info: www.electra-productions.com
Rocky Dennis will play under his real name Jans Lekman at the Strange Fruit Festival at Bush Hall in London on November 16.
Also heading to the UK again in November will be the Shout Out Louds who will make an appearance at the Camden Monarch, Barfly Club on November 14.
Finnish death metal supergroup Chaosbreed reports that they are done laying done the tracks for their upcoming album "Brutal". "Sande and Nicu have already done a rough mix of the album, which to these rotten hearing aids known as ears sound killer to say the least," reports drummer Nalle Österman in a recent web-posting. "For the most part we recorded everything live," he continues, "so what you will hear is very organic, energetic and at times chaotic as well, as everything was recorded in the first few takes to keep it fresh and raw. There are mistakes here and there, but so what — nobody's perfect. No everlasting Pro Tools-wanking here then, what you will hear is the real deal. No frills, just kills! Our old and dear friend Kasper Martenson came in to provide some haunting keyboards for some songs and also an eerie intro that will prepare you to die." In other news, the band's EP "Unleashed Carnage" will receive a proper release in North America and Europe through Crash music Inc. (ex-Pavement) on January 13.
Finland's The Black League will release an as-yet-undisclosed single next month from their forthcoming album "Man's Ruin Revisited", currently being recorded at Seawolf Studios. The full-length is due out early next year through Spinefarm Records.
Swedish drums and Hammond duo Sagor & Swing have the coveted 'Record of the Week' over at Aquarius Records. Here's what they said:
Sweden's Sagor & Swing are an instrumental drums and Hammond organ duo. HAMMOND ORGAN! We know some of you are crazy for the Hammond organ. We are too. And Hammond-freaks or not, this is a lovely, lovely record. Super melodic and dreamy, calm and mesmerizing. Eric Malmberg (organ) and Ulf Moeller (drums) take much inspiration from dark and sleepy Swedish forests, we're told, but we're sure the music of legendary Swedish '60s Hammond/drums duo Hansson & Karlsson is also a big influence! Malmberg actually plays a Hammond that Bo Hansson used on his beloved 1970 Sagan Om Ringen (Lord Of The Rings) album! Not only that, but he writes a comic strip published in a Swedish newspaper called -- get this -- Hansson & Karlsson In Outer Space. The duo's H&K obsession serves them well, without them becoming mere copyists at all. Some tracks are lively and spirited, with stick-in-your-head folk-derived hooks a la fellow Swede Bjorn Olsson (himself a sort of Bo Hansson protege), while others are more like slightly sinister Dario Argento/Goblinesque lullabies, that combine music box melodies with one-note ambient minimalism a bit like that one Aphex Twin-esque track on Burzum's Filosofem. Just a bit. Some Kraftwerk rhythms are hinted at as well, and Magyar Posse's cinematic epics. This is definitely a universal AQ-staff fave, and we think you'll love it too. Apparently it's S&S third album, so we'll have to track down their other two asap!
Head on over for samples and their usual slew of new reviews.
Johan Bergqvist has put up his recent Hultsfred gig in streaming video at his website. Otherwise, he plans to lay low for awhile right now and concentrate on recording his new album.