Norwegian hardcore act Okkultokrati (feat. member(s) from Haust) have just released their debut 7" EP "Knarkskog", but since it's limited to a mere 200 copies and we live in a digital age, they're kinda offering it as a free download. Go here for linkage: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=433682046&blogId=505488133
Swedish industrial act Agent Side Grinder have completed a new project for release on cassette noise label Hästen och Korset entitled "The Transatlantic Tape Project". As the title suggests, the music for this tape was recorded by trading recordings through the mail, all over the world. For samples and more info, go here: http://www.myspace.com/transatlantictapeproject
The excellent Danish noiserock label Play/Rec has returned from a long hiatus to announce the signing of Marvins Revolt, a fine match I must admit. The band will be going into the studio this week to record a new album (tentatively titled "We are the enjoyments that meet you") with T.J. Lipple (MGMT, Medications, Aloha) at Sauna Studio in Copenhagen for release on November 2. The Richter Collective will be handling the release in the UK as will Parabolica in Japan, just like their previous release "Killec". Hip Hip Hip has them covered in France and negotiations are underway for the US/North America. Expect an early 2010 release for all territories outside Euroland.
I might post one more track before I call it a week, but I really am running low on music that I'm unequivocally enthusiastic about, so make of that what you will. Remember: next week is all negativity. I am an ill-tempered jerk.
Hopefully I don't gush about it too much, but I'm way into the current old-school Swedish death metal revival and Tribulation is one of the finer, younger bands in that style. I purchased a copy of their debut full-length LP "The horror" not too long ago (beautiful gatefold + matte print job, btw) completely blind, having never heard the band and banking completely on the reputation of Blood Harvest. I needed the Graveless and Bastard Priest demo tapes (both of which totally rule), so figured I'd take a chance. Worst case scenario, there's always the lucrative limited vinyl resale market. I'm no flipper, but it's good to know the option exists. Anyhow, these dudes are often compared to Merciless in that they've got quite a bit of thrash influence and loads of speedy blast parts; likewise I also detect a definite resemblance to Dissection. Tribulation's sound is a bit more meaty that they were without being too groove-oriented, but they've also got a blackened side that shines through in their melodies and horror-inspired interludes. I'm not surprised there's plenty of old dudes out there playing quality DM in the old ways, but it's even better that there's young folk out there to help carry the torch further.
Tribulation - Crypt of Thanatophilia
In addition to the news posted yesterday about The Amazing's upcoming vinyl release via Subliminal Sounds, I have been informed that the label will also be handling a worldwide CD and digital release of the album as well later this fall. Exact dates and tour info tba.
Peter Andersson reports that he his finished with the next Raison d'Etre album and it will be called "The stains of the embodied sacrifice". No official release date yet, but he says to expect it in about two months via Cold Meat Industry. In other news, he is also deep into his next project, a digital archive of every composition he has made since 1991. So far he has assembled all of the old data and gear, but it will be quite an undertaking to combine the two, so don't expect anything in the immediate future.
Subliminal Sounds will be releasing the vinyl edition of The Amazing's self-titled debut. As mentioned before, the band features members Dungen, Granada and The Guild and was originally released on CD via Fashionpolice.
An older track from Finnish shoegazers The Gentleman Losers made it to the Pitchfork Forkcast today: http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/13237-laureline/
Dusted reviews the new Subliminal Sounds release of Lisa O Piu and the album "When this was the future": http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/5180
MBV has a new track from Swedish indiepop act Liechtenstein: http://www.mbvmusic.com/new-liechtenstein-mp3-this-must-be-heaven/13462
Said song appears on the new Slumberland split 7" with fellow Swedes The Faintest Ideas.
Magnus Uggla made headlines today by pulling his music off Spotify. The Local has the English-language rundown on his blog missive: http://www.thelocal.se/21286/20090813/
The new Mange Schmidt single "Ledig" will be released on August 31 via Razzia Records.
Kning Disk won't be officially releasing it until October (on CD or digital, vinyl is out next week), but the new Erik Enocksson album "Man tänker sitt" can already be previewed at Klicktrack: http://www.klicktrack.com/kningdisk/releases/erik-enocksson/man-tanker-sitt
The folks from Sincerely Yours/The Tough Alliance made a mixtape playlist for You Were There, Too: http://youweretheretoo.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-yours-playlist.html
The day has finally arrived. I have succumbed to peer pressure and joined Facebook. Friends and associates, feel free to seek out my profile and add me. Marketers, business-types and other snake oil salesmen with whom I do not already have a pre-existing relationship, please continue to contact me in the usual way where I can ignore you more efficiently. Thank you!