Lock-Up, the all-star death-metal/grind band featuring Tomas Lindberg from At the Gates/Disfear/etc., Shane Embury and Jesse Pintado of Napalm Death and ex-Cradle of Filth drummer Nick Barker, have confirmed that they have finished mixing their new live album. The footage comes from the band's 2002 tour in Japan and is expected to be released late this year on Toys Factory Records in Japan and on Shane's own label, Feto Records, in Europe.

Metal Blade has confirmed a August 9 European release date for the posthumous album "Crowned Unholy" from The Crown. The album is a remake of the band's fifth album "Crowned In Terror", with newly re-recorded vocals from returned frontman Johan Lindstrand who was replaced by Tomas Lindberg (At the Gates, Disfear, etc.) on the original version. It also includes new bass tracks by Magnus Olsfelt, a new version of the intro music, digitally enhanced drum tones and 'cool synthesizer-spiced parts.' A bonus DVD will be included as well.

Unbelievable, but possibly true - Skitsystem has parted with singer/guitarist Tomas Lindberg (ex-At the Gates, The Great Deceiver, The Crown, etc.), the crustpunk band he helped to co-found 10 years ago. Apparently his other commitments with Disfear and whatever other gazillion bands he has going were taking too much away from the group and they decide to go their separate ways on positive terms. Micke Kjellman from Matyrdöd will be taking his place and they are already writing material for their next album. Go to the No Tolerance Records site for the full statement: http://www.notolerancerecords.com/

Peaceville Records has confirmed May 11 as the release date for "Terra Incognito", the sophomore full length release from The Great Deceiver. As mentioned numerous times, TGD features Tompa from At the Gates/Disfear on vocals and Kristian Wahlin of Diabolique/Liars in Wait on guitar. Read the full press release: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=4748

The Great Deceiver recently completed work on a video for the song "Lake of Sulphur" from the band's second album "Terra Incognito", due out in March through Peaceville Records. The clip was filmed at The Revolver Ranch in the Arizona desert with director Patric Ullaeus (Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, Lacuna Coil). As mentioned here before, TGD features vocalist Tomas Lindberg (Disfear, ex-At the Gates) along with Kristian Wahlin and Hans Nilsson from Diabolique.

Speaking of C.Aarmé, they'll be teaming up with Uffe (Entombed), Tompa (Disfear, ex-At the Gates, etc.) and everyone's best friend Satan to record two new songs later this month.

Swedish thrashers The Crown will be entering the studio on January 2 to mix the new version of the album "Crowned in Terror" with returned vocalist Johan Lindstrand redoing the parts originally sung by Tomas Lindberg (ex-At the Gates, Disfear, etc). Look for an early 2004 release on Metal Blade Records.

Happy turkey-day to all you Americans! Here's just a short update on a few things today:

Dead Frog Records has signed the band Waver. You might've heard em before, as their song "The Things You Told Me" was featured in the 2002 movie "Den Osynlige" (The Invisible). Bandmember Andreas Alfredsson also composed the score. The duo, which is made up of songwriter/musician/producer Alfredsson and singer/songwriter Josefina Andersson, is said to utilize "sweeping melodies and delicate guitar lines" that sound like "the soundtrack to Swedish winters." But don't take the official bio's word for it, download some songs yourself right here: http://www.deadfrogrecords.com/artists/waver/

The group has been busy recording throughout the past year at numerous studios around Sweden, including Umeå's famous Tonteknik Recordings and plan to release their debut album for DFR in April, 2004.

Entombed guitarist Uffe Cederlund has joined Disfear on second guitar. That means he'll be doing double duty with both bands during the Close-Up Made Us Do It tour which kicks off on December 3 and also features Raised Fist. As mentioned before, Disfear is another in the long line of dis-core bands (see Discharge) and features ex-At the Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg.

The Great Deceiver will release their second album "Terra Incognito" next March throughthe UK's Peaceville Records. The band features vocalist Tomas Lindberg (ex-The Crown, At the Gates, currently with Lock Up, Disfear, etc.) and guitarist Kristian Wahlin (ex-Diabolique, Grotesque) recorded the new CD at Dug-Out studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, In Flames, etc.) and are currently working on a video for the track "Lake Of Sulphur" with director Patric Ulleaus (Dimmu Borgir, Ace of Base, Transport League). And lastly, as mentioned here before, the band will be heading out on the road with wannabe Swedish metallers Darkest Hour. Dates:

11/03 - Skylten, Linköping (SWE)
11/04 - Kafe 44, Stockholm (SWE)
11/05 - Meeths Unga Salonger, Gothenburg (SWE)
11/06 - Wehrschloss, Bremen (GER)
11/07 - Thannignton Community Centre, Canterbury (UK)
11/08 - Doctor Drakes, Aberdeen (UK)
11/09 - Basement, Leeds (UK)
11/10 - The Star And Garter, Manchester (UK)
11/11 - Flapper and Firkin, Birmingham (UK)
11/12 - TJ's, Newport (UK)
11/13 - Underworld, London (UK)

Heavy metal drama! Seems that quite a bit of dirty laundry is being aired in Sweden's Close-Up magazine regarding the split between The Crown and vocalist Tomas Lindberg (ex-At the Gates, Disfear, Skitsystem, Lock-Up, etc). The Crown is blaming alcohol for the tension that led to the split while Tomas responds in a separate interview from the same issue with his own take on matters. To add fuel to the fire, the band is also re-releasing 2002's album "Crowned In Terror" with new vocals provided by rejoined frontman Johan Lindstrand and redone bass lines. The duet between the two singers on "Death Metal Holocaust" will remain intact though. Read more! (from Blabbermouth)

Check out Danish band Illdisposed's cover of the At the Gates classic "Slaughter of the Soul" right here. The track will be released on an ATG tribute comp due out this fall from Drowned Scream Records. If the rest of the contributions are this mediocre, I will be quite disappointed. Why pay tribute to such an amazing band with what barely amounts to karaoke?

I guess it was bound to happen eventually: there's a tribute album to At the Gates in the works. While I highly doubt it will be anywhere near as good as the "Slaytanic Slaughter" Slayer tribute (one of the best metal tributes ever IMO), I know I'll probably check it out no matter what. Anyhow, Godhate (formerly Throneaeon) are set to enter Studio Underground to record their version of the track "Kingdom Gone". Some samples of the band's other work: "Oblivion" / "In Loathing (For Your God)" / "Divine Soul"

DigitalMetal.com has posted an interview with Swedish prog-rockers The Flower Kings, the first review I've seen of the new Amorphis greatest hits comp/DVD "Chapters", plus a review of Nightrage, a newish band with members Tomas Lindberg (ex-At the Gates, Skitsystem, etc.), Gus G. (Dream Evil), Per Jensen (The Haunted), Marios Iliopoulos (ex-Exhumation) and Tom Englund (Evergrey).

The all-star metal band Lockup, which features members of Napalm Death along with ex-At the Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg, have announced their plans to release a live album later this year through ND's own Feto Records. The material in question was recorded in Japan on a June 2002 tour. The band is also considering going into the studio soon to record a special, limited edition EP of classic metal cover tunes by bands such as Possessed and Dark Angel.

Added a new mp3 today from Last Days of April. Their latest album "Ascend to the Stars" just came out over here in the US and the track "Playerin" is easily my favorite from that release. In fact, it was my favorite summer single last year. Y'know those songs you sometimes hear on the radio around this time of year that seem to embody the essence of summertime? That song fits the bill perfectly. And as for this year, my pick (so far) would probably have to be "Reconsider Me" from Moneybrother. I figure y'all were just dying to know.

Otherwise, there's probably not going to be much news today as everyone is at Hultsfred fest it seems. Wish I was. Check out the Dagensskiva special on the event. Oh, and check out www.hultsfred.tv for more, too.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Outlandish - Guantanamo
03. A-Teens - Perfect Match
04. Turbonegro - Fuck The World
05. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
06. Kashmir - Rocket Brothers
07. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
08. C21 - She Cries
09. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
10. Da Buzz - Alive
11. Equicez - Live From Pass It
12. HIM - Funeral of hearts
13. Mando Diao - Sheepdog
14. Antique - Moro Mou
15. Melody Club - Cover Girl
16. Darude - Music
17. The Narcissists - Fanatik R.I.P
18. Jon - This Side Up
19. Dallas Superstars - Fast Driving
20. The Klerks - Shame

Challengers:
01. Paula Lobos - Fuss & Fight
02. User - Do You
03. Ingrid Marguerite - Everything I Need
04. Bad Cash Quartet - Dirty Days
05. Superheroes - Someone Else

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

Download the free, electronic Diskodiktator single for the track "Just Say 'No' to Democrazy!". A video for the song, his first one ever, is in the making. The full-length album "The World According To..." isn't out quite yet, but is already available for preorder.

Voidfaith Netzine has posted an interview with my pals KVLR. (in Swedish)

The Alpine, Moi Caprice, Baal, and Figurines are a couple of the bands confirmed for the Sydslesvig-Rocks in Schleswig, Germany on August 23.

Here's the full schedule for this weekend's Norweigan Wood Festival.

Norweigan jazz vocalist Silje Nergaard has been nominated for the Edison Jazz Award, which will be presented at the upcoming North Sea Jazz Festival on July 11-13. Other nominees for the award include Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall and Jimmy Scott. More info here: http://www.edisonaward.nl/Jazz/

And speaking of Norweigan jazz, acclaimed saxophonist Jan Garbarek will be on the BBC's Radio 3 Jazz on 3 radio show tomorrow at 11:30pm local time.

Since they didn't manage to send it to me yesterday as planned (ahem.), here's the rest of the playlist from the Galaxy Gramophone DJ night:

They also pass along word that they are encouraging more people to send them music to play, along with t-shirts to wear while spinning and whatever. Um, so like, send your goods to me and I'll make sure they get them, right? But seriously - if you're interested in sending stuff just drop me a line and I'll put you in touch.

Lambgoat.com reports that The Great Deceiver (Tomas from At the Gates/Skitsystem + members of Diabolique) will be touring Europe in October/November along with Swedish metal-wannabees Darkest Hour.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
02. Tomas Ledin - I sommarnattens ljus
03. Pugh Rogefeldt - Pughs bästa
04. Tommy Körberg - Gränslös - det bästa med
05. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
06. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
07. Da Buzz - More than alive
08. Alcazar - Alcazarized
09. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
10. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
11. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
12. Moneybrother - Blood panic
13. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
14. Style, Sandelin & Ekman, Freestyle - Samlade hits
15. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
16. v/a - Fame factory visor
17. Martin Nilsson - En del av mig
18. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
19. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
20. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5

Entombed has been forced to cancel their appearance at the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio on June 13-14 after drummer Peter Stjärnvind's wife was hospitalized. The cause of her ailments are still undiagnosed and of course Peter wishes to remain with her at this time. Guitarist Alex Hellid commented, "Peter is really upset by this. He doesn't want to be the cause of us not playing. We all know how important this show is/was. We are really sorry, for the fans and for ourselves, because we really wanted to play." Alex and frontman L.G. Petrov still plan to be in attendance at the fest to sign autographs and meet with fans. Other bands still scheduled to play include Evergrey, Trouble and Candlemass.

Nightwish has added a second date to their short US/N. American itinerary. After playing the ProgPower Festival in Atlanta on September 5 and at The Medley in Montreal, Canada on September 6, the band will play L'Amour in Brooklyn, NY on the 7th.