Norwegian electropop act Montée is now streaming the new song "Isle of now" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/monteemusic
Said song is the title track of their forthcoming album, due out March 16 via Strømland Records, the label run by Lindstrøm and Joakim Haugland of Smalltown Supersound.
Gbg hardcore all-stars The Eight Arms Around You have a new demo track up at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theviiiarmsaroundyou
The band plans to record a full-length album this spring.
Seance is back from the dead after 15 some years and it's almost like they never left. They've still got one of the heaviest rhythm sections in death metal, even without the same brutal monster-truck basstone that characterized 1993's landmark "Saltrubbed eyes". It's all about those little stops and starts and the ridiculous triplet fills that drummer Micke Pettersson employs in his ongoing mission to out-Slayer Dave Lombardo. Seriously, no other band does it better; certainly none of the young upstarts who seem to value technical guitar prowess above all. As always the best death metal is about quality, memorable riffs. Often that means simple and effective; the number of notes is irrelevant. Anyhow, I wasn't expecting much from this reunion record, but these dudes delivered far beyond all expectations. Sure, the new album "Awakening of the Gods" has a few weaker moments here and there (there's one Prong-like groaner, for instance), but "Wasted" is 1000% killer. Seance's jagged rhythms, those super-gruff vokills -- all great. Even when they go into cheesy acoustic breakdown before the solo section, they make it work. No need to push boundaries or over-intellectualize it, stick to the classic formula and do it right -- that's all there is to it. No bullshit, just pure death fucking metal.
Seance - Wasted
New albums on the way from National:
03/11 - Torkel Rasmsson & Kjell Westling - Mycel
03/18 - Hägga - Introducing the thieves from the north
03/18 - The Baboon Show - Best of
03/25 - Micke from Sweden - Waiting for the end
Also look for the new Baboon Show single "Mah business" on March 10. More details: http://www.national.se/index.asp
Promoe has another new track called "Blind" being given away for free download: http://www.looptrooprockers.com/blind/
The Elin Ruth Sigvardsson/Lars Winnerbäck duet "Kom ihåg mig" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/elinruth
Check out I'm From Barcelona's new video for the song "Gunhild": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vmp4Rnm0fI
Danish indierockers The Elephants have a couple new tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theelephantsdk
Read a lengthy interview with Finnish crust/noisecore act Ristisaatto at Vapaus! Fanzine: http://kaaosjavapaus.blogspot.com/2009/02/interview-with-nakke-risitsaatto-vapaus.html
All-star black-metal act Code (featuring members from DHG and At the Gates) will be releasing a new album entitled "Resplendent grotesque" this coming spring.
It now appears that Aavikko's new album "Novo Atlantis" will be released on March 25, not April as previously reported. Samples and (Finnish) tourdates at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/aavikko
PopMatters reviews Astrid Swan's "Spartan picnic": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/69060-astrid-swan-spartan-picnic
Dusted seems to like Hanna Hirsch: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4783
Delusions of Adequacy reviews Susanna's "Flower of evil": http://www.adequacy.net/2009/02/susanna-flower-of-evil/