The Bear Quartet - Carry your weight
is giving away the new Bear Quartet single "Carry your weight" (remember?) as a free download: http://www.adrianrecordings.com/default.asp?newsid=249
MP3: Eskatol - Dype spor
Leave it to the folks at Tiger// to unearth the best raging hardcore Norway has to offer. Eskatol isn't an actual FF release, but it fits in just fine alongside their catalogue as a fine addition to 's list of offerings. However, whereas bands such as the superb Obliteration are content to wallow fabulously in old-school, bottom-dweller filth, Eskatol mixes it up to the extreme, tossing "new school" hardcore-style technical runs, bits of Swedish-style melodic metal leads, His Hero Is Gone-style crust and various other influences in with their ripping d-beat attack. Sounds sketchy, but it works because they don't let those flourishes overpower the 'core. Kinda in the same way that Converge pulls it off; those attributes are the appetizers, not the main course. Check out "Blodørn"'s opening cut "Dype spor" and I think you'll hear what I mean. I actually listened to this record straight through twice in a row when I first got it, that's how much it impressed me.
Eskatol - Dype spor
Ólöf Arnalds - That lucky old sun (video)
Check out Icelandic artist Ólöf Arnalds covering the old country evergreen "That lucky old sun" for The Take-Away Show: http://vimeo.com/groups/takeaway/videos/8067207
Pitchfork reviews the new Jónsi single
The new Jónsi single "Boy lilikoi" is in the Pitchfork Track Reviews: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11684-boy-lilikoi/
Osloprisen 2009: Årets osloskive
Voting is now open for the Olsoprisen "Album of the Year" award: http://www.nattogdag.no/avstemninger/osloprisen-2009-arets-osloskive
Nominees include Montée, Obliteration (my personal choice), Maribel and Chris Lee and the final decision is 50% jury-based, 50% voting.
Ulver - I had too much to dream last night
Ulver has posted the first taste of their upcoming psychrock tribute on myspace, a cover of "I had too much to dream last night" by Electric Prunes: http://www.myspace.com/ulver1
Joining them on this recording are Lars Pedersen of When on drums and Mats Engen from Euroboys on bass. Also note the 2010 European tourdates.
Brothers of End - Big bird
Brothers of End are now streaming their new single "Big bird" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/brothersofend
Crunchy Frog signs Thee Attacks
has announced that they have signed Thee Attacks. Expect a new release in April.
New Burning Hearts single in February
has announced that they'll be releasing the new Burning Hearts 7" single "Night animal" on January 26.
Kiki Pau album teaser
Finnish indiepop act Kiki Pau have posted a video teaser to promote their new album, due out in March 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8tg-eyzLyQ
Solstorm signs with Duplicate
has announced the signing of Bergen-based sludge/noise act Solstorm and will be releasing their debut full-length in 2010. Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/solstormofficial
Cosy Den's top 25 songs of 2009
You don't need to be able to read Swedish to enjoy the top 25 songs of 2009 as selected by the folks at Cosy Den: http://www.minradio.se/gimmeindie/adventskalendern/lucka/tio.html
All Scandinavian 2010 Denmark preview
AllScandinavian lists 10 Danish acts they say to keep an eye on in 2010: http://allscandinavian.com/2843/top-1010-best-of-2010-the-danish-edition/
Aversionline on Lighthouse Project
Aversionline on the new EP from Finnish hardcore act Lighthouse Project: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2009/12/10/lighthouse-project-lust-for-lie-7/