The Raveonettes announce US tour for fall
The Raveonettes have announced the first batch of dates for their US tour this fall: http://www.myspace.com/theraveonettes
Norwegian metal round-up
Deathmetal.org does a review round-up on a number of recent Norwegian metal releases: http://www.deathmetal.org/?p=395
Artists covered include Mord, Satyricon, Aura Noir, Keep of Kalessin, 1349 and more.
MP3: Logh - Forest eyes (RBG version)
Despite releasing the new "Death to my hometown" EP recently, Logh has been keeping an extremely low profile as of late. Raising families, recording other bands, living life... just a few shows here and there, but mostly keeping quiet and out of the spotlight. It's a shame, but it's not as if I don't understand -- playing in an underappreciated band takes its toll, not to mention all the various false starts, botched US releases and other annoyances the band has faced. Of course I still stand behind them 100% and am happy to restate it, even if releasing a 7" wasn't enough by itself. As for the new EP, the standout for me is not the title track/single, but the new version of "Forest eyes" which originally appears on the album "North". As with much of the band's recent material, the mood is plaintive and reserved, though this updated version adds a synth throb and a driving beat that gives it so much more oomph over the original. Still, it's the band's restraint which gives them their strength -- the more they hold back, the more gripping it is. The e-bowed guitar adds more tension, too, way more than the plainspoken arrangement on the original. There's no massive conclusion either, but the resolve feels right. Anything else would be out of character. Still one of Sweden's best bands despite the lack of drama.
Logh - Forest eyes (RBG version)
Datarock - True stories (video)
Datarock have a new video for the Talking Heads-inspired track "True stories": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBRXGFcsrMg&fmt=18
Richard Reagh - Beautiful veins
Download the new Richard Reagh single "Beautiful veins": http://www.reagh.net/I'm_Younger_Than_That_Now/Beautiful_Veins.mp3
Look for the album "I'm younger than that now" to appear sometime around early October.
Hultsfred Festival to close?
Looks like the folks behind Hultsfred Festival are in financial trouble again and are contemplating curtailing their activities: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/supersommar2009/article5540050.ab (in Swedish)
Antenna talks to As We Fight
Antenna interviews new As We Fight vocalist Jesper about the band's new record: http://www.antenna.nu/?p=2279
Killing the Legacy to release debut 7" from Ill Omen
Finnish hardcore blog Killing the Legacy is turning record label to release the debut 4-song 7" from Ill Omen together with Poolside Records. Expect a September release.
Champagne Riot now equal 3
Danish indiepop act Champagne Riot has evolved from a one-man bedroom project into an international 3-person band: http://blog.champagneriot.com/2009/07/18/welcome-to-ulrika-and-anders.aspx
More details on the new Kings of Convenience album
EMI Norway has confirmed that the new Kings of Convenience album "Declaration of dependence" will be released on October 2. The new single "Boat behind" was released to radio today (July 20).
New Elin Ruth album in October
Elin Ruth Sigvardsson has a new album on the way in October.
Dead By April UK tour
Beware! Dead By April are coming to the UK this fall:
09/03 - Waterfront, Norwich
10/01 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
10/02 - Club Academy, Manchester
10/03 - Cockpit, Leeds
10/04 - Academy 2, Newcastle
10/05 - ABC 2, Glasgow
10/07 - Sugarmill, Stoke
10/08 - The Corporation, Sheffield
10/09 - Roadmender, Northampton
10/10 - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
10/11 - University Solus, Cardiff
10/12 - Academy 2, Oxford
10/13 - Academy 2, Bristol
10/15 - Pavillions, Falmouth
10/16 - Phoenix, Exeter
10/19 - Concorde 2, Brighton
10/20 - Electric Ballroom, London
MP3: Kongh - Unholy water
Swedish trio Kongh step up the game on their new album "Shadows of the shapeless" by delivering a concise, punishing record. "Concise" is a stretch actually, but when you consider how many of their ilk go for the longer=better formula, any tracks < 15 minutes stand out. Only one band can hold chords and my attention for any longer and that's Khanate and they're long gone; broke the mold and took it with 'em too. Anyhow, music that despairing is almost too painful to revisit with any frequency, so I much prefer the far more straightforward pummel of Kongh. It's slow and heavy, it's got discernible head-banging riffs, it makes me happy in a way that only the most crushing doom can. We'll see if Trust No One label bosses Switchblade can top 'em whenever their new one drops, but for now this one stands alone.
Kongh - Unholy water
Kasper Bjørke signs with HFN Music
Danish techno/electronic artist/producer Kasper Bjørke has signed with new German label HFN Music, a sub-label to Poker Flat Recordings (Trentemøller). Expect a new single in September with an album to follow.
Roliga Firman to release 'Chaos in Sweden'
The label Roliga Firman is releasing a new punk/Oi! comp LP in August called "Chaos in Sweden" featuring cuts from many, many acts including Antipati, Saturday's Heroes, Unit Lost, Royal Stakeout and more. More details and a few samples are up at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/roligafirmanrecords