Junip - Always
There's a new Junip single streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/junip
The band's debut full-length "Fields" comes out September 14.
Dark Funeral needs new singer
Vocalist Masse Broberg has parted ways with Dark Funeral and the band is looking for a replacement: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=14838
Dear Euphoria
This night will flee
Given Productions/Herbivor Music
The term euphoria couldn't really be more appropriate to represent what Stockholm native Elina Johansson does. Listening to the art she creates is a truly enigmatic experience. Where the vast majority of music is specific to mood, Johansson's output draws you in and has profound effect regardless of your current demeanor: if you're up it saturates the senses and genuinely heightens euphoric states; if you're down it rests gently on your shoulder and comforts you as an old friend, reassuring and promising. It's probably best described as "music for all moods" and it's without doubt some of the most beautiful music to ever emerge from Sweden. "This night will flee" is a four-track EP that builds on Johansson's previous releases, the "For everything of worth" and "Heal my violence" albums and, while retaining the characteristic elements of Johannson's output, sees her progress in a slightly more pop vein, albeit with dark undertones. This EP is not unlike something you would expect fellow countrymen Paatos to release and Johansson's vocals are quite reminiscent of their singer Petronella Nettermalm, another outstanding Swedish vocalist. Standout track on here is undoubtedly "Coming down" and is actually the song closest to Paatos in terms of vocal style. It's almost as if Dear Euphoria have taken the best bits of Paatos, Massive Attack, Kate Bush and Portishead, stuck them in some kind of musical blender and come out with a track that, to these ears at least, easily stands equal with any of the aforementioned acts. That, together with the title track (which is possibly the most haunting few minutes that Johansson has ever revealed), are the most epic songs on the disc, with the others -- "Rescue" and "No more time to weep" are more in line with what we've come to expect from Dear Euphoria. An absolutely sublime record that has the potential to profoundly touch everyone it reaches.
- John Norby
Vice interviews Morbus Chron
Vice interviews up-and-coming young Swedish old-school death metal act Morbus Chron: http://www.viceland.com/music/2010/07/a-fist-in-the-face-of-god-morbus-chron/
PopMatters reviews Food
PopMatters reviews the new record on from international jazz act Food: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/128356-food-quiet-inlet/
Listen to the sound of The Universe
Swedish instrumental act The Universe (ex-Iisole) are streaming their new album at Bandcamp, as well as offering it up as a paid download to raise money for an eventual vinyl release: http://theuniversemusic.bandcamp.com/
If you're into the kind of stuff that puts out (ie, Scraps of Tape, September Malevolence, etc.), you'll probably be into this as well.
Liechtenstein - On the tram (video)
The b-side for the band's new single "Passion for water". I actually like it better than the flip, I must say. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnJxER78de8
Annika Norlin to retire from music
Aftonbladet reports that Annika Norlin (Hello Saferide/Säkert!) is walking away from the music business: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/article7516271.ab
Too much, too soon, too much pressure; totally understandable: "Det jag gillar med att plugga är att musiken blir en hobby. Då får man in mer lust i det. Man gör saker av rätt anledningar." Her final Säkert! album "Facit" comes out September 15 and a new Hello Saferide album (recorded at the same time) will follow in spring.
Robyn - Hang with me (video)
Great song, great clip, love the innuendo. Took me a few tries to get used to this version of the track after listening to the acoustic take on "Body talk pt. 1" so many times, but I think it's finally won me over. Direct link: http://vimeo.com/13643546
Some Place Else clearance sale
Finnish label/distro is clearing out their entire mailorder: http://www.someplaceelse.net/
They specialize in industrial/noise, but who knows what you might find?
Britta Persson - Meet a bear (video)
The bizarro physics make my head hurt. In a good way, I think. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btsrJDFOT18
Sirius playlist week #30
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU, all metal/punk to coincide with the new podcast:
01. TALK 1
02. Waklevören - Attakk
03. Eskatol - Fane av løgner
04. Årabrot - End of the world / Revelations
05. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Positivt tankande
06. TALK 2
07. Grave - Liberation
08. Obliteration - Exterminate
09. Liket Lever - Levande begravd
10. Knugen Faller - Jag vill inte vara med
11. TALK 3
12. Haust - Anti-reproductive
13. Underachiever - Cut a smile
14. Pointless Youth - Damaged head
15. Wolfbrigade - In adrenaline
16. Darkthrone - I am the graves of the 80s
17. TALK 4
18. Nekromantheon - We're rotting
19. Slugathor - The smoke
20. Tyrant - I'll burn that bridge (before you can cross it)
21. TALK 5
22. Bitch Boys - Automobile
23. Mögel - Jag är så rädd
24. Okkultokrati - On mouth of hells
25. Victims - Another way to die
26. Nitad - Stockholmsnatt
27. TALK 6
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.
The Crown - Blood O.D
There's a new track from Swedish thrashers The Crown up at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thecrownonlineswe
Jónsi US tour this fall
Jónsi is touring the US this fall:
10/15 - 4th And B, San Diego, CA
10/17 - The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
10/19 - Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
10/21 - House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
10/22 - The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT
10/23 - The Marquee, Tempe, AZ
10/25 - Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX
10/26 - Austin Music Hall, Austin, TX
10/27 - Verizon Music Theater, Houston, TX
10/29 - Voodoo Festival, New Orleans, LA
10/30 - Moogfest, Asheville, NC
10/31 - The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
11/02 - The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
11/03 - Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL
11/05 - The Fillmore, Detroit, MI
11/06 - Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH
11/08 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC
11/10 - Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, NY