One last Transubstans-affiliated mp3 for this week: Villebråd is an anomaly in the label's roster in that they aren't very heavy at all, at least not anymore. Progressive, yes, but also way more synth/post-punk than rock'n'roll. It's a streamlined sound, very clean and sharp and with a dark, artsy edge. "Vaknar aldrig" is all awkward up-and-down riffs, trading voices and speaking in staccato rhythms. So yeah, things get complicated, yet they've got everything so honed and locked down that it never feels messy, no matter how many different things are going on (and there are a lot). It's still not as immediately satisfying as the other Villebråd track I posted years ago, but it still sticks out for being undeniably interesting.
Villebråd - Vaknar aldrig
Elias and the Wizzkids will be heading down to Switzerland for a few shows in September:
09/03 - La Catrina, Zurich
09/04 - Gare de Lion, Wil
09/05 - KiFF, Aarau
It only took them 10 years, but Norwegian gamer/tech-metal act Next Life has added a live drummer to their lineup. Anders Hangård (NoPlaceToHide, Saprophyth) will take the stage with the band for the first time on July 16 at the Slottsfjell Festival in Tønsberg, Norway.
The release of Swedish rapper Ken Ring's new record "Hip hop" is now set for August 26. The first official single "Nu måste vi dra" will be out July 24.
It's a shame since I've just discovered them (and have been listening constantly), but Elmo will be playing their final show at Kulekalaset in Luleå on July 31. On a more positive note however, mainman Magnus Ekelund is doing new stuff under his own name på Svenska -- listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/magnusekelund (via)
There's a new Dyno track called "Burning blood" currently streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/dynodynodyno
7
"Fuck your scene, kid," emphasis on kid. This split 7" pairs up two sort of new-ish Swedish hardcore acts composed of long-time scene vets that attempts to teach the youngsters of this world how it's done. Come to think of it, it's actually kind of amazing how much of modern hardcore has turned into an old man's game -- young upstarts continue to flail and pose while the jaded bastards remain the ones who consistently deliver the goods. The pessimism and defeat of age has its benefits! As for the music, Makabert Fynd deliver four ragers in as many minutes with a fierce, dual-vocal attack and a Missbrukarna cover. On the flip, Nice Idiot does a similar fast and furious thing with the main differences being lyrics på engelska, a slightly longer attention span and a touch of crossover thrash. The get in/get out/wipe your hands approach of the former wins for me in the end, but both sides rage effectively. 447 copies, hand-numbered, dark purple vinyl; shame that the original screened covers got botched as Kranium's graphic design is almost reason enough to pick this up, though the offset print does the job fine. Also nice to know that "Volume 2" featuring Dobermann Cult and Fredag den 13:e is already out, so no waiting to see whether this series will take off or not. Respect your elders!
- Avi Roig
Danish act Cody have confirmed that their debut full-length album "Songs" will be released on September 14.
Pitchfork reviews the new Bergraven album "Till makabert väsen": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13256-till-makabert-vasen/
There's a cut from the new Service act Korrallreven in the Pitchfork Forkcast: http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/13116-loved-up/
Abramis Brama lean way closer towards party rock than most Transubstans acts. Still definitely hard n' heavy, still definitely touched by the hand of prog, but also full of smiles, good times and plenty of gratuitous jams. It's all in good fun though; these dudes seem way more into rocking out than pure flash and shred. And how about that cowbell? I'm a sucker for it, always and forever. I do think I'm a bit more partial to the gloom and doom overall, a sound that Abramis Brama doesn't quite bring to the table, but I'm also okay with a little diversity now and then. Good ballsy rock always makes me happy.
Abramis Brama - Kylan kommer inifran
Thomas Dybdahl will be spending more time playing in the UK and France this fall:
09/17 - The Pigalle Club, London (UK)
09/21 - Café de la Danse, Paris (FRA)
10/15 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London (UK)
10/26 - Spring & Airbrake, Belfast (IE)
10/27 - Academy, Dublin (IE)
10/28 - Cyprus Avenue, Cork (IE)
The Bombettes are heading down to Germany this week:
07/16 - Kulturbunker, Köln (GER)
07/17 - SUBSTANZ, Osnabrück (GER)
07/18 - Cafe Morgenrot, Berlin (GER)
07/19 - JUZ Mannheim, Mannheim (GER)
07/20 - Hafenklang, Hamburg (GER)
07/21 - Bumzen, Köpenhamn (DK)
New European dates for Mew:
10/28 - Grünspan, Hamburg (GER)
10/29 - Lido, Berlin (GER)
10/30 - Gebäude 9, Cologne (GER)
10/31 - Luxembourg Rockhal, Luxembourg (LUX)
11/01 - Botanique, Brussels (BEL)
11/03 - Wulfrun, Wolverhampton (UK)
11/04 - Academy, Dublin (UK)
11/05 - ABC, Glasgow (UK)
11/06 - Academy 2, Manchester (UK)
11/07 - Metropolitan University, Leeds (UK)
11/09 - Anson Rooms, Bristol (UK)
11/10 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London (UK)
11/11 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
11/12 - Maroquinerie, Paris (FRA)
Finnish electronic music/visual arts group Pink Twins have made their upcoming DVD "Sketches of pain" available for preorder and are giving away a bonus companion CDR called "Pink light/Pink heat" which includes the music from a few of the video works as an added incentive. Head to their site for full tracklist and details: http://pinktwins.com/2009/07/sketches-of-pain-dvd.html
Makabert Fynd/Nice Idiot