Annika Norlin has a blog
Annika Norlin has started a new blog on lyrics: http://waitingaroundtodie.blogspot.com/
Swedish only unfortunately.
Don Martin Steps Out mixtape
Norwegian hip-hop group Gatas Parlament has a new mixtape for free download: http://www.gatasp.no/don-martin-steps-out-mixtape/
New Nephew on June 5
Soundvenue reports that the new Nephew album "Danmark/Denmark" will be released on June 5: http://www.soundvenue.com/nyheder/2009/01/27/nyt-nephewalbum-til-juni
Audrey to get Japan/UK release
Audrey's latest record "The fierce and the longing" will be released in Japan on March 11 via Zankyo Records and the band will be heading over in April to play at the Arabaki Rock Fest in Senda. Look for more shows to be announced soon. In other news, keep an eye out for their album to get a proper UK release as well sometime this spring. More details tba.
The Silent Ballet on Virak
The Silent Ballet reviews Danish act Virak: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2113/Default.aspx
New A-ha this summer
NRK reports that there will be a new A-ha album in June and a South American tour in March: http://www.nrk.no/musikk/1.6451953 (in Norwegian)
Truckfighters in Italy
Swedish stonerrock act Truckfighters will be heading to Italy in March:
03/04 - Sinister Noise, Rome
03/05 - Ex Emerson, Florence
03/07 - Shindy Club, Bassano del Grappa
Fluxblog on Veronica Maggio
Fluxblog on "Inget kan ändra på det" by Veronica Maggio: http://www.fluxblog.org/2009/01/darling-i-see-that-you-torment-yourself
The King Midas mixtape
Norwegian indie/funk act King Midas has made a mixtape for free download: http://www.kingmidas.no/
Stereogum premieres new Lykke Li video
Stereogum has the premiere of the new Lykke Li video for "Tonight": http://stereogum.com/archives/video/new-lykke-li-video-tonight-stereogum-premiere_048231.html
Dyno - Emotional (video)
Check out Dyno's new video for the song "Emotional": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQIlVz6ueJs&fmt=18
MP3: October Falls - IV
I don't keep up with black metal much anymore since the scene has become so large and fragmented. Of course I still follow the old heavies (Enslaved, Darkthrone, Satyricon, etc.), but there's so much new crap to wade through, I rarely bother. Every once in a while though I'll come across something, whether in print or from a personal recommendation, that will pique my interest and I'll check it out. So I don't know if it's this more reserved approach or a much-improved bullshit detector, but I'm finding that the few new BM acts I'm checking out tend to be above-average. Hence my latest example, October Falls from Finland. Their sound is a tad on the retro side -- I hear echoes of "Nightside eclipse"-era Emperor, a bit of early Ulver -- but it's also progressive in a way that brings to mind US artists such as Weakling and Wolves in the Throne Room. The Wolves comparison is especially apt actually, especially in the way they embrace environmental themes. After all, the album this track is from is entitled "The womb of primordial nature". Now I can't say if they're involved with eco-terrorism as has been insinuated about Wolves, but does it really matter? So much of BM's appeal is in the mystery behind the artists. Anyhow, it all comes down to the music in the end and October Falls makes beauitful, epic soundscapes that takes on qualities of shoegaze and drone, but always remains undeniably metal. Perhaps not melodic enough to win over non-metal converts like, say, Alcest, but very recommended for anyone interested in hearing that old mid-90s sound made fresh.
October Falls - IV
Per Gessle to tour Europe
Per Gessle is heading out this spring on his first club tour in some 20 years:
04/16 - Tavastia Club, Helsingfors (SWE)
04/19 - Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
04/20 - Vega, Köpenhamn (DK)
04/22 - Stodola, Warsawa (POL)
04/23 - Luccerna Hall, Prague (CZ)
04/25 - Grunspan, Hamburg (GER)
04/27 - Gloria Theatre, Köln (GER)
04/28 - Kaufleuten, Zürich (CH)
04/29 - Muffathalle, München (GER)
05/02 - Handelsbeurs, Gent (BEL)
05/04 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London (UK)
05/06 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
05/09 - Cirkus, Stockholm (SWE)
Pitchfork reviews 'Flower of evil'
Pitchfork reviews the new Susanna album "Flower of evil": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/148382-susanna-flower-of-evil