Norwegian rock act The September When, the old band of solo artist Morten Abel, will have a new album called "Judas kiss" out on December 5.
The video for the new David Sandström Overdrive single "Not a good boy" is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pMjSquuw3Y&fmt=18
Fellow ex-Refused member Kristofer Steen is the director.
Watch a trailer for Timo Räisänen's new b-sides/covers album "...and then there was Timo": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NPLfoq7g7I&fmt=18
A West Side Fabrication will be releasing a new Christmas single from power-pop act The Drowners in the near future.
Listen to a sweet classic metal mix put together by Fenriz of Darkthrone: http://fairtilizer.com/track/darkthrone
MP3: A Gilbert Play - All together now
A Gilbert Play's new album "lay-by" is unassuming to the point of near-invisibility. I swear I must've listened to the disc 5 or 6 times looking for a standout track to post with no luck. Which is not to say it's no good, it's more that it's emotionally flat, content to hover in the realm of quiet and mysterious without ever sticking its head above the surface. The band hasn't progressed too much from their previous release -- they're still mining the same 90s-era postrock textures ala Tortoise, mixing jazz, electronics and other elements into a mish-mash of sound. "All together now" only has a touch of the playfulness they sometimes exhibit; instead, it's more of a furrowed-brow work requiring a steady hand and pulse. Flickers of sunshine come up here and there, but they mostly keep it on the serious tip, heads down, no eye contact, floating onwards. There's an intricacy to the arrangement, but you gotta strain to hear it. Listen casually and it'll float on by.
A Gilbert Play - All together now
Swedish noiserockers Giant Boar (ex-Seven Feet Four) have new music posted at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/giantboar
If you dig KVLR, you'll love this. I know I do.
Tomas Halberstad's debut solo album "The anger" (remember this? Or maybe you've seen this?) is now available as a paid digital download: http://tomashalberstad.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/album-release-buy-it-now/
There will be somewhat of a more official release on December 1.
The Kid
Transient blood
Hybris
After their raw, goth-encapsulated debut record, The Kid have returned with a very impressive follow-up. The production is fuller, the aura less dark, but what they have created here is a brooding, even industrial, dance-pop album. The hooks in "Transient dance" and "The shadow of a horse", combined with 80s-inspired beats, have a certain breathing room that is lacking from most dance records. The slow, plodding "Bluemoon" is foiled perfectly at the end of the album by their cover of Cortex's "Mayhem troopers". A great album that updates, instead of retreads, the genres to which The Kid obviously loves.
- Matt Giordano
Norwegian indie-folk act The Captain and Me will release their new album "Leave your friends and family" on January 26 via Movemountains.
Swedish grind act Splitter will be doing a lot of touring in the new year, including a US tour in May. Dates here: http://www.splitter.se/gigs.htm
Danish singer/songwriter label Songcrafter Music has released a new album of Christmas songs written by Martin Hoybye entitled "Building memories". Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/buildingmemories
Look for the new Bombettes 7" "You have no chance Lance" to be out in time for band's tour in January.
Scandinavian artists in Paste Magazine's top 50 albums of 2008 include Lykke Li, I'm From Barcelona, The Tallest Man On Earth, Mugison, Ida Maria and Sigur Rós. Read more: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/11/signs-of-life-2008-best-music.html