The winners of Norway's 2005 Alarm Awards:

Best electronica album: Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band - "Your New Best Friends"
Best pop album: Annie - "Anniemal"
Best metal album: Enslaved - "ISA"
Best jazz album: Lars Horntvedt - "Pooka"
Best video: Kings of Convenience - "I’d Rather Dance With You"
Best song: Euroboys - "One-Way Street"
Best hip hop/rap album: Jaa9 & OnklP - "Sjåre Brymæ"
Best rock album: WE – "Smugglers"
Best live band: WE
Best newcomer: Annie
Alarmjuryens pris: Jim Stärk

For a full list of everyone who was nominated, go here: http://www.nrk.no/magasin/upunkt/musikk/4316676.html
Don't forget that both WE and Jim Stärk are featured on the "It's a trap! reader's companion" compilation which can be had for a mere $6. More info on the right.

Speaking of Aquarius Records, this week's new release list features a ton of Scandinavian artists such as Enslaved, Nordvargr (MZ412), BJ Nilsen (Hazard), Circle and tons more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

Upcoming live dates for Enslaved:

01/27 - Camden Underworld, London (UK)
02/05 - Alarm Awards, Oslo (NOR)
02/09 - Loppen, Copenhagen (DK)
02/10 - Rosenkeller, Jena (GER)
02/11 - Lokschuppen, Rosenheim (GER)
02/12 - Tor 3, Osnabrück (GER)
02/13 - Headbangers ballroom, Hamburg (GER)
02/14 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt (GER)
02/16 - Vera, Groningen (NL)
02/17 - Doornrosje, Nijmegen (NL)
02/18 - Patronaat, Haarlem (NL)
02/20 - Garage, London (UK)
02/22 - Locomotive, Paris (FRA)
02/23 - Ubu, Rennes (FRA)
02/24 - Sala Tunk, Irun (SPA)
02/25 - KGB, Barcelona (SPA)
02/26 - Sala Jam, Bergara (SPA)
02/27 - Ritmo y Compas, Madrid (SPA)
02/03 - Antidox, Torino (ITA)
03/04 - La Gabbia, Bassano del Grappa (ITA)
03/05 - Rainbow club, Milano (ITA)
03/06 - Gaswerk, Winterthur (SWI)
03/09 - Black Pes, Prague (CZ)
03/10 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
03/11 - Mostovna, Nova Gorica, (SLV)
03/12 - Mochavara, Zagreb (CRO)
03/13 - Wigwam, Budapest (HUN)
03/14 - Stara Pekaren, Nitra (SLO)
03/15 - Underground, Cologne (GER)
02/16 - Voxhall, Aarhus (DK)
03/20 - Folken, Stavanger (NOR)

The nominees for the 2005 Spellemannspris, Norway's equivalent to the Grammy, have been announced. Here's a selection of the categories:

Female artist:
Maria Solheim - "Frail"
Sissy Wish - "You May Breathe..."
Bertine Zetlitz - "Rollerskating"

Male artist:
William Hut - "Versus the End of Fashion Park"
Sondre Lerche - "Two Way Monologue"
Odd Nordstoga - "Luring"

Pop act:
Kings of Convenience - "Riot on an Empty Street"
The National Bank - "The National Bank"
Savoy - "Savoy"

Rock:
Gluecifer - "Automatic Thrill"
Gåte - "Iselilja"
Span - "Mass Distraction"
Tellusalie - "Tangerine Dreams"
WE - "Smugglers"

Electronica/contemporary:
Biosphere - "Autour de la lune"
Deathprod - "Morals and dogma"
Lars horntveth - "Pooka"
Lasse marhaug - "The shape of rock to come"

Metal:
Black Debbath - "Den femte statsmakt"
Enslaved - "Isa"
Mayhem - "Chimera"

Hip-hop/R&B:
Jaa9 & Onklp - "Sjåre brymæ"
Madcon - "It's all a madcon"
Tungtvann - "Iii:folket bak nordavind"

Jazz:
Børre Dalhaug - "Bigbandblast!"
Sharp 9 - "No:network"
Skomsork - "Skomsork"
Solveig Slettahjell - "Silver"
Petter Wettre - "Hallmark moments"

Open category:
Frode Fjellheim - "Aejlies gaaltije - the sacred source"
Karl Seglem - "Femstein"
Trygve Seim - "Sangam"
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra - "List of lights and buoys"
Transjoik - "Uja nami"

Music video:
Margaret Berger - "Lifetime guarantee"
Illumination feat. Anneli Drecker - "Kool karma"
Jim Stärk - "Morning song"
Kings of Convenience - "I'd rather dance with you"
Bertine Zetlitz - "Fake your beauty"

Newcomer of the year:
Annie - "Anniemal"
Margaret Berger - "Chameleon"
Madcon - "It's all a madcon"
Side Brok - "Høge brelle"
Span - "Mass distraction"

Hit of the year:
Erik Faber - "yesterday's call"
Jim Stärk - "Morning song"
Kurt Nilsen - "My street"
Odd Nordstoga - "Kveldssong for deg og meg"
Ravi & Dj Løv - "Dødsøt"

Winners will be announced on February 26. Read more: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005010714073264546578

Download the video for "Isa" from legendary Norwegian black-metal act Enslaved: http://www.digitalmetal.com/Enslaved/enslaved_isa_candlelightusa.wmv
DigitalMetal has also posted a brand-new interview with the group: http://www.digitalmetal.com/interviews.asp?iID=6188

Enslaved
Isa
Tabu Records

If this album was from someone else other that Enslaved, I'd probably recommend it wholeheartedly. However, considering the band's reputation as one of the longest-running and most progressive black-metal acts ever, it is sadly disappointing. There's just too many plodding, grim (read: boring) riffs that go nowhere. Every time they break away from same ol' tired formulas and decide to change up the rhythm or build upon the melody, the results are fantastic. It just doesn't happen nearly enough. I still think Enslaved are one of the world's best BM bands, I just wish they'd do more to keep moving the genre forward.
- Avi Roig

DigitalMetal.com is teaming up with Candlelight Records to launch the new Enslaved album "Isa" in the US: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=6172
I'll try to get my review of the album posted this weekend, but I'll just say right now that I'm not terribly impressed with it. It's not bad, but I've come to expect a lot more from these guys.

The nominees for Norway's Alarm Prize have been announced:

Video:
Ugress - Manhattan Sapphire
Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
Ravi & DJ Løv - Dødsøt
Wibutee - We Are In Space, So Are You
Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You

Rock:
Gåte - Iselilja
International Tussler Society - s/t
Gluecifer - Automatic Thrill
Euroboys - Soft focus
WE - Smugglers

Pop:
Thomas Dybdahl - One Day You'll Dance For Me, New York City
Kings of Convenience - Riot on an empty street
Minor Majority - Up for you and I
Annie - Anniemal
Bertine Zetlitz - Rollerskating

Metal:
Red Harvest - Internal Punishment Programs
Khold – Mørke Gravers Kammer
Mayhem – Chimera
Enslaved – Isa
Darkthrone – Sardonic Wrath

Hip-hop/rap:
Tungtvann - III: Folket Bak Nordavind
Jaa9 & OnklP - Sjåre Brymæ
Gatas Parlament – Fred, frihet & alt gratis
Karpe Diem – Glasskår
Madcon – It’s All A Madcon

Electronica:
Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band - Your New Best Friends
Mental Overdrive - 083
Snuten with friends - We Are The Future
Ost & Kjex - Some, But Not All Cheese Comes From The Moon
Illumination - The Poppy Rocks

Jazz:
Scorch Trio - Luggumt
Lars Horntveth - Pooka
Wibutee - Playmachine
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra - A list of lights and buoys
The Thing - Garage

P3 prize for best song:
National Bank - Tolerate
Annie - Chewing Gum
Jim Stärk - Morning Song
Kings Of Convenience - I’d Rather Dance With You
Euroboys - One Way Street

Live:
Gåte
Tussler
Thomas Dybdahl
Ralph Myerz
WE

Newcomer:
Samsaya
Bonk
Samsaya
The Beautiful People
Annie

Winners will be announced February 5, 2005. Go here for more info and to vote: http://www.alarmweb.org/

Vreid, the new band formed by the three surviving members of Windir, have been tapped to support Enslaved on their upcoming European tour. Dates:

02/09 - Loppen, Copenhagen (DK)
02/10 - Rosenkeller, Jena (GER)
02/11 - Lokschuppen, Rosenheim (GER)
02/12 - Tor 3, Osnabrück (GER)
02/13 - Headbangers ballroom, Hamburg (GER)
02/14 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt (GER)
02/16 - Vera, Groningen (NL)
02/17 - Doornrosje, Nijmegen (NL)
02/09 - Black Pes, Prague (CZR)
02/10 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
02/11 - Mochavara, Zagreb (CRO)
02/13 - E-Klubb, Budapest (HUN)
02/16 - Voxhall, Aarhus (DK)

I'm not totally impressed with Enslaved's new album "Isa", but I have no doubt that they'll still put on a great show.

Global Domination interviews Cato from Enslaved: http://www.statikmajik.com/gd/interviews/enslaved.php

Antenna interviews Enslaved: http://www.antenna.nu/enslaved/interview2.php

Enslaved's newest album "Isa" has been confirmed for a European release on November 8 and a US release on February 7. A video was recently filmed for the title track and should be available soon.

Enslaved are more than just the world's best viking metal band, they are also excellent fishermen: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28427 (via Blabbermouth)

Norway's Inferno Festival is going to the UK! Arcturus, Enslaved, Red Harvest, Grimfist and Madder Mortem are the first bands confirmed for the event which is scheduled to take place on January 27 at the Underworld in Camden. As is often the case with such events, there will be press/partner sessions during the day before the show. "The plan is to make this an annual event," says the organizers, "and maybe expand to 2-3 consecutive days, or even different cities."

Acclaimed viking/black-metal act Enslaved has finally announced that they'll be releasing their new album "ISA" on November 8 via Tabu Recordings. It is currently being recorded at Grieghallen Studios by the team of Jørgen "Sir Duperman" Træen, Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin and the band themselves. Mixing will be handled by Sir Duperman at his own Duper Studios. Candlelight Records should be getting it out in the US sometime early next year.