Francis - Traktor (video) + full EP preview
The new Francis video for "Traktor" plus a full stream of their excellent new EP "This must be blood". Well worth checking out!
Ane Brun - Worship (video, feat. José González)
The second chapter of "It all starts with One", the Magnus Renfors-directed film accompaniment to Ane Brun's latest album of the same name.
New Moonface album to feature Siinai
Finnish act Siinai have recorded a new album in collaboration with Canadian artist Moonface, aka Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown). The resulting work is entitled "With Siinai: Heartbreaking bravery" and will be released on April 17 via . Listen to a sample tune: http://soundcloud.com/jagjaguwar/moonface-teary-eyes-and-bloody
Darxtar to release new album in May via Transubstans
Swedish spacerockers Darxtar will be releasing their new album "Aged to perfection" on May 14 via , both on CD and vinyl. This will be their first release for the esteemed Malmö-based psych/hardrock specialist label and their 7th full-length release since founding the band back in 1989.
MP3: Diskoteket - Mörka tankar
I told you about the upcoming Diskoteket LP the other day, now I bring you a sample tune. Forget about the mediocre new Thåström album, this is the brooding Swedish darkness you desire. Echoes of Commando M Pigg, Tant Strul and other exemplary postpunk of the past, but with its own sense of urgency and vitality. "Mörka tankar" is only one of two songs I've been privileged to hear so far, but it went straight to the top of my wantlist.
Diskoteket - Mörka tankar
The gates of Beläten are open
As promised, the doors of new Swedish avant-pop/darkness label have been thrown open and their first three releases are now available for ordering + streaming via Bandcamp: http://belaten.bandcamp.com/
I recommend starting with Michael Idehall's album "SOL".
Fleshpress
Acid mouth strangulation
Svart Records
It's generally a prerequisite of sludgy doom metal that intros and track lead-ins run for inhuman amounts of time and Finland's Fleshpress are no exception. We're over half way through the 11-minute opener, "Glass trails", before there's any hint of something solid starting, with the initial six and a half minutes sounding off like an ethereal soundtrack to one of the Wallander movies. The track then plods along in simplistic Tool-esque mode before hitting its stride and finally breaking into a killer mid-paced fist-pounder resplendent with vocals touching on a mix of The Secret and Zao. "Copper eye" kicks off with more of a straightforward dirty black metal outlook, although the sludge base is prevalent throughout, while closer, "Oblivion persistent" adopts the sludge penchant for dragging the hell out of a tune to the point that it seems like it'll never end. It's crafted so well and with such menace, though, that it's captivating -- and devastating -- from start to finish. The few moments that drag or don't seem too inspired on this take little from the remainder of the recording. Good stuff indeed!
- John Norby
José González, I Break Horses to ATP NJ
Swedish artists José González and I Break Horses will both be playing the ATP "I'll Be Your Mirror" Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey this coming September.
Mirel Wagner in the Village Voice
The esteemed Village Voice has a sizable profile piece on Finnish/Ethiopian artist Mirel Wagner in advance of her hitting the States for SXSW: http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-02-22/music/on-mirel-wagner-and-the-alleged-death-and-apparent-spread-of-freak-folk/
Sandra Kolstad - Right now
New music from Norwegian artist Sandra Kolstad. Expect a new album this coming fall.
Susanne Sundfør - White foxes (video)
Brilliant new sights and sounds from Norwegian artist Susanne Sundfør. "White foxes" is the first single off her forthcoming album "The silicone veil" which will be released on March 26.
The return of Nutid
Nutid, the excellent instrumental duo of Åsa Jacobsson and Alf Håkan Åkesson, will be releasing a new album this coming spring. Check out their new website: http://www.nutid.info/
Pyramido on the road
Swedish heavies Pyramido will be touring in April:
04/05 - Die Friese, Bremen (GER)
04/06 - AZ, Köln (GER)
04/07 - l'Astrophone, Metz (FRA)
04/08 - KuZeb, Bremgarten (CH)
04/10 - Ballonfabrik, Augsburg (GER)
04/11 - Proberaum, Karlsruhe (GER)
04/12 - Oettinger Villa, Darmstadt (GER)
04/13 - AZ, Mülheim (GER)
04/14 - AJZ, Bielefeld (GER)
04/15 - UJZ Korn, Hannover (GER)
New releases from Posh Isolation
Copenhagen-based Industrial/postpunk label has announced two new releases, a 12" from Swedish act Street Drinkers and a 2x C-40 comp entitled "Port out, starboard home" which is devoted to "the struggles of human trafficking to Scandinavia." More info here and also via Discogs.
Alpha Mound - Termination of short-term (video)
Joakin Westlund of Aerial/the Giant's Dream has a new solo project called Alpha Mound and this right here is his debut. Look for the album "Burning words" to be released later this year.