is expanding their Finnish punk + hardcore vinyl reissue business and will be releasing two old LPs from a pair of the label's more recent acts: Endstand - "Never fall into silence (, 2002) and Manifesto Jukebox - "Desire" (, 2000). No exact release date yet, but they should both be available in May.
is giving away the new Erik Zettervall single "Snöänglar" as a free download: http://www.bdpop.se/news.php?newsid=167
jjOn last year's well-received debut "n° 2", jj brought a summery sound akin to a hypothetical The Tough Alliance-light, if such were a project (and an obviously close reference, as they're on their label). Its mixture of slower ballads with down-tempo firelight pop numbers took in the breezy coastal Swedish twilight. Perhaps they've not waited long enough before issuing their second album, perhaps they've had this release written and recorded before their first was out, but it's glaringly obvious that it doesn't reach the heights of "n° 2". It's as though they took the median of their first record and wrote each track accordingly, while also leaving out (both melodically and sonically) those aspects which would cause one to randomly hum "Masterplan" or "Are you still in Valda?". And that's quite a shame, too.
- Matt Giordano
Gonna continue with another mp3 post of dirtball metal-punk because, well, just because. Metal was my first musical obsession so it's never far from my heart, but we do fall out of favor from time to time. As any fan will tell you, the stereotypes are true too often and they make for a major stumbling block to the uninitiated; factor in a serious predilection towards the worst, most over-compressed, trigger-happy recordings ever and there's plenty not too like. Still though, I stick it out because metal has and always will be very important to me and also, despite all the machismo and misogyny, classic Heavy Metal (in caps, always) is the one kind of music my wife and I see eye-to-eye on. Can't get her into most modern torch-bearers though, but I try and Sonic Ritual are probably one of the better candidates -- unlike Darkthrone (see yesterday), the vocals are always clean, they've got strong choruses and they have a female guitarist. I wish the latter wasn't important, but in a male-dominated world/genre, it most certainly is. Anyhow, whether or not you know that shouldn't affect your appreciation of the music because these dudes rip. "Early graves" is the first taste of what will be their debut LP I believe and, as always, I'm eager to hear more.
Sonic Ritual - Early graves
MBV has a new song from The Tallest Man on Earth available for free download: http://www.mbvmusic.com/2010/03/25/new-tallest-man-on-earth-mp3-burden-of-tomorrow/23234
Grande Roses have broken the cycle of endless delays and can now confirm that they will release their third EP "Say it to my fervent heart" on April 29. Of course, many things can go wrong between now and then, but I think this might actually happen.
Swedish metal act Enforcer has confirmed that they will be releasing their sophomore album "Diamonds" on May 24 via /. Check out a preview track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/enforcerswe
Niels Nielsen is offering up a new track for free download called "Shadow twin": http://nielsnielsen.net/
Look for his new album "Cmon vultures part: 2" to be released soon.
Check out the video for the new Ludwig Bell single "Jag är en idiot": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mUgKZeqreA
Pitchfork has what I believe to be an accurate assessment of the new Kissaway Trail album "Sleep mountain": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14057-sleep-mountain/
Also reviewed, the new Love Is All record "Two thousand and ten injuries": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14062-two-thousand-and-ten-injuries/
Watain's new album "Lawless darkness" has been confirmed for release on June 7.
have announced the signing of Katatonia sideproject October Tide and will be releasing their new album this coming fall. The band's much-heralded 1997 album "Rain without end" was recently reissued by the label.
have signed yet another new band, Petter & The Pix, who are also apparently the live backing band for Miike Snow. Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/petterandthepix
Dungen will be doing a couple UK dates at the end of May:
05/30 - Euroculted, Manchester
05/31 - Luminaire, London
Aske Zidore and Kristoffer Rom of Danish indie act Oh No Ono have launched a new record label called to handle all of the various sideprojects and other extracurricular activities the guys are involved with. First up from the label in May will be an EP from Kirsten & Marie, yet another Scandinavian twin sister duo which was produced by Aske, to be followed by new releases from 4 Guys From The Future, Treefight for Sunlight and Thulebasen.
