Norwegian hardcore act Kvelertak will officially release their self-titled debut on June 21. Said record was recorded with Kurt Ballou (Converge) at Godcity Studios in Salem, MA and features guest appearances by Hoest(Taake), Andreas Tylden (JR Ewing, Altaar), Ivar Nikolaisen (Silver) and Ryan McKenney (Trap Them). Hear the latter on "Offernatt" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kvelertak
has signed The Malpractice, a new band started by Johannes Gammelby of I Am Bones (now officially broken up) and Beta Satan. Look for a single in June to be followed by an album after summer; otherwise, hear some demos at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/themalpracticedk
Niels Nielsen is streaming a dark new track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nielsfromhell
Apparently he also recently signed with a label here in the US, but no details are available yet.
The new Wildbirds & Peacedrums 12" EP "Retina", the first of two they plan to release, will finally be out on May 24 after a short delay. "Iris", the second part, follows on June 21.
Bob Hund will be releasing a new 4-song EP on May 19 called "Stumfilm".
Watch Swedish act Solander play a couple live acoustic tracks for Bedroomdisco TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSPL1hR0_wc
is giving away the new Årabrot single "End of first chant II" as a free download: http://diger.tigernet.no/DINGEL/ENDOFFIRSTCHANT2/End_of_First_Chant_%20II.mp3
"This song is about..." Who cares! It's summer project time! Martin Senter (EL-SD, Seven Feet Four, etc.) started a new punk band "just for the fun of it," which really, is the only reason to do music in the first place. Anyhow, the band is just him playing all the instruments and Isabella Sundell screaming out the words and I think it sounds great. Certainly goes well with the new Lögnhalsmottagningen 7" that just showed up today. Hopefully he'll pull something together and will take it to the stage because that's, as much as love punk singles (not really), that's the best place to experience this kind of music.
Lågkonjunkturen - Den här låten handlar om...
I like this because it doesn't take itself too seriously. And really, who doesn't like a good party track? Still proving, once again, that the best Swedish hip-hop is på Svenska.
Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2LFDChQLuY
has confirmed that Driven, the "girl group" led by Kim Hiorthøy (remember?) will be releasing their debut album "Disko" in August.
will be releasing Regina's latest album "Puutarhatrilogia" here in the US on June 22. I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure it will be digital-only, at least for now.
PopMatters isn't all that impressed with the new Serena-Maneesh album "S-M 2: Abyss in B minor": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/124441-serena-maneesh-s-m-2-abyss-in-b-minor
The GonerThe Goner is most definitely a grower! The first listen to any of Daniel Westerlund's releases always has the same result: it's always pleasurable with immediate effect; it always leaves a sort of eerie quirkiness that has you wondering what in the hell is going on in Westerlund's mind; and it always reassures you that the next few times the record gets a spin it's only going to get better. "Behold a new traveler" continues this particular aspect of The Goner's listening experience as unconventional vocals meet atmospheric, eccentric musical passages that interweave to create a truly captivating and addictive sound. The album's strongest moments are found on "Within the hour", one of the more uplifting sections of the recording, albeit in an oblique sort of way, and closing track "En route" with its drone-meets-grunge progression toward some pseudo-insanity. The production on "Behold a new traveler" is somewhat repressed, yet it fits The Goner's style perfectly. Anything brighter would definitely be to the detriment of the music and it's this choice of sonic output that really elevates the album to such high regard. Musically, he's hard to pin down. Think Rusted Root meets Wardruna meets Michael Stipe-gone-Cajun and you're pretty close to what Westerlund manages to create in his music. And the best thing about this album? The fact that even though it already sounds amazing, I know it's only going to get better! A tall order indeed, but The Goner has hit the nail firmly on the head.
- John Norby
Swedish indie act Brine has a new EP available for free download via : http://www.harboursea.com/
Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. Familjen
02. The National
03. Jonathan Johansson
04. The Radio Dept.
05. The Concretes
06. Beach House
07. Anna von Hausswolff
08. Robyn
09. Johnossi
10. Kent
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