New Diabolique in 2009?

Finally, some news from Swedish goth/metal act Diabolique: "We're currently in the process of negotiating a new record contract. Hopefully we'll be able to record the new album in the summer. More info on that and other news coming soon..."

Swedish goth/metal act Diabolique (ex-Liars in Wait, Grotesque, The Great Deceiver) report that a new album will finally be coming in 2009.

Here's the playlist for this week's special spooky/scary Halloween edition radio show:

01. TALK 1
02. Entombed - Hollywood Babylon
03. ARM - Humming bug
04. Camouflage - Oktober
05. TALK 2
06. Notre Dame - Red Cross
07. Sanctum - Lie low
08. Bay Laurel - Pale colours
09. TALK 3
10. At the Gates - Blinded by fear
11. Frode Haltli - Lude
12. Brighter Death Now - Little baby
13. Death Breath - Lycanthropy
14. TALK 4
15. Breach - Mr. Marshall
16. The Skull Defekts - Carved in bones
17. The Cardigans - Mr. Crowley
18. TALK 5
19. Diabolique - Catholic
20. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Masks, walls and other ways to keep things out, to keep things in
21. The Bear Quartet - Broken heart
22. Mercyful Fate - Come to the Sabbath
23. TALK 6
24. Beyond Dawn - Cigarette
25. Pimentola - Heart's dementia (Phase I)
26. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
27. TALK 7
28. MZ412 - Infernal affairs II
29. Satyricon - Nemesis divina
30. Switchblade - Selfdestruct schematics / Open aftermath
31. TALK 8
32. Rasion D'etre - Metamorphyses Phase IV
33. Cortex - We are the dead
34. TALK 9
35. Emperor - I am the Black Wizards

The playlist for this week's all-GBG radio show:

01. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
02. TALK 1
03. Hemstad - Sommar i Göteborg
04. Division of Laura Lee - We are numbers
05. Håkan Hellström - Kom igen Lena!
06. TALK 2
07. In Flames - Everything counts
08. Pistol Disco - Walking with Jesus
09. Viktor Sjöberg - W/nothing
10. TALK 3
11. Kristofer Åström - Just a little insane
12. The Knife - Listen now
13. Broder Daniel - Dark heart
14. TALK 4
15. Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline
16. MPTP - Jim Morrison
17. At the Gates - Cold
18. TALK 5
19. The Book of Daniel - The camels parade
20. Silverbullit - Magnetic city
21. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Nevermore
22. TALK 6
23. Nicolai Dunger - What tomorrow
24. The Kid - Portion control (Fatsuit haze/Zlatan wins the World Cup remix)
25. The Idealist - The knives are my eyes
26. C.Aarmé - Visions
27. TALK 7
28. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - I could have sworn I heard them SING
29. Junip - Official
30. Diabolique - Catholic
31. TALK 8
32. Convoj - My timekeeping heart
33. Tsukimono - Dear sister
34. Eric Beyond - Step off
35. TALK 9
36. Björn Kleinhenz - Out of style
37. Detektivbyrån - E18
38. TALK 10
39. Bad Cash Quartet - Too bored to die

The Great Deciever, the band of ex-Grotesque bandmates Tomas Lindberg (At the Gates, Skitsystem, Disfear, etc.) and Kristian "Necrolord" Wahlin (Liers in Wait, Diabolique), has signed with US label Deathwish Inc. for the release of their new album "Life is wasted on the living" later this year. Previously, the band had worked with both Trustkill and Peaceville and it's been quite a few years since I've heard anything about 'em. Listen to an unmastered cut at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deathwishinc

MP3: Diabolique - Rain

I've been talking about (and listening to) a lot of goth/darkwave recently, so I'm gonna keep on going with it. Diabolique formed in the mid-90s out of the ashes of Liers in Wait, one of the many New Wave of Swedish Death Metal bands that helped establish Göteborg as an international metal mecca. And if you go back even further, you'll find that frontman/guitarist Kristian Wåhlin (aka Necrolord) was also a founding member of the band Grotesque with vocalist Tomas Lindberg, pre-At the Gates. Kristian is also renown for his many cover paintings that graced oh-so-many of the 90's best metal releases (see a list at Kristian's official website). Anyhow, Diabolique released their first album "Wedding the grotesque" in 1997, and while it's a fairly decent example of doom metal with goth-leanings, it wasn't until their next release, 1999's "The black flower" that they really hit their stride. Heavy, shoegazer guitars mixed with deep vocals and a steady, pounding rhythm section. What I enjoy most about it is that heaviness - even though the music is most definitely not metal at this point, they still have a thick and beefy guitar tone that evokes the same sort of feeling. The bass is especially huge and driving. While I rank "The black flower" as one of my favorite Swedish CDs, the song I've posted today actually comes from the "Butterflies" EP that followed a year later. The music is a bit cleaner and lighter, but it's the vocals that really progressed the most. Kristian extends his range and instead of his usual baritone drone, he actually sings. I understand that many folks were turned off by that, but I think it works. Most of the time. The band's final album "The green goddess" (which I don't think was ever officially released, though somehow I did manage to find a copy in the used bin many years ago) goes even further by doing away with the deep vocals altogether and adding more electronic beats and synths. I absolutely hated it when I first heard it and I still can't say it's really worth tracking down. Regardless, eventually dissolved (probably at least partially due to label issues) and Kristian, along with drummer Hans Nilsson, eventually reunited with Lindberg in the band The Great Deceiver. But that's a post for another Friday...

Diabolique - Rain

Dark Dose posts a track from Swedish gothrock act Bay Laurel: http://darkdose.com/?p=35
Just like their post on Diabolique, this is another hidden gem that they've unearthed. I don't talk a lot about goth stuff on here because, to be frank, a lot of it is quite embarassing, but there are definitely some worthwhile bands out there to check out.

Check out the new mp3 blog Dark Dose, specializing in gothic and metal music with a heavy slant towards Scandinavian artists: http://www.darkdose.com/
Recently featured bands include Fallout, Shape of Despair, The Rapture (FIN) and Diabolique, a band I was planning on featuring in an upcoming Friday classic post. So yeah, very recommended.

Blackend Records will be reissuing a couple classic Swedish metal releases in the near future. First up is the debut EP from At the Gates "Gardens of Grief" which has now been remastered and will be out on July 5. Next up is the "Metal Militia" Metallica tribute featuring all sorts of all-stars from the early/mid 90s Göteborg metal scene such as In Flames, Luciferion, Ceremonial Oath, Dark Tranquility and Snotrocket (who sound awfully similar to ATG). I haven't listened to my copy of this thing in years, but it's cool to see that it'll be available once again. That comes out July 26. They are also reissuing the Black Sun Records tribute to Sepultura. It's got your usual suspects such as Impious, Gardenian, Dimension Zero as well as Deathwitch, Swordmaster, Lord Belial, Children of Bodom and more. It comes out September 27. And that's not all, the next albums in line for reissue are the classics "The Burning" and "Eternal Death" from The Crown, from what I think were still their Crown of Thorns days. The former comes out July 5, the latter on September 9. Last, but not least, look for the reissue of "Spiritually Uncontrolled Art" from Liers in Wait. This amazing band featured Kristian Wåhlin and Hans Nilsson from Diabolique/The Great Deceiver following the breakup of pre-At the Gates band Grotesque. There were some other dudes who came and went as well and Christopher Johnsson from Therion did guest vocals on this sole recording. Good stuff. That comes out August 9. As for the future, the label says they'll be doing even more reissues this winter featuring artists like Sacrilege (SWE) and Diabolique, who have always been one of my favorites. More details when I get them.

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.

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)

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.

A new month and a clean page. Last month's news is here.

Listen for Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks during upcoming episodes of "The Osbournes" on MTV.

The Great Deceiver, featuring ex-At the Gates singer Tomas Lindberg and members of the woefully underappreciated Diabolique, will be supporting Napalm Death on a few U.K. dates in December. Here's the shows, so far:

Dec. 17 – Bristol, UK @ Academy
Dec. 18 – London, UK @ Mean Fiddler
Dec. 19 – Birmingham, UK @ Academy

Apparently, the Foo Fighters dressed up as the Hives last night for their Halloween show at the Supper Club in New York. They even did a cover of "Hate to Say I Told You So".