This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
02. BigBang - Too Much Yang
03. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
04. Samvirkelaget - Musikk
05. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
06. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
07. TNT - The New Territory
08. Tone Damli Aaberge - Sweet Fever
09. Superfamily - Warszawa
10. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
11. Magnet - The Simple Life
12. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
13. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
14. Vidar Busk and the Voo Doodz - Jookbox Charade
15. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
16. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
17. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
18. Rune Rudberg - Rett fra sofaen
19. Malin - Malin på månen
20. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Samvirkelaget - Musikk
02. Superfamily - Warszawa
03. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
04. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
05. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
06. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
07. Magnet - The Simple Life
08. Tone Damli Aaberge - Sweet Fever
09. BigBang - Too Much Yang
10. TNT - The New Territory
11. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
12. Monomen - Monomen
13. Ulf Risnes - Ingen andre
14. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
15. Vamp - I full symfoni (med KORK)
16. Vidar Busk and the Voo Doodz - Jookbox Charade
17. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
18. Marit Larsen - Under The Surface
19. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
20. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik

MIC Norway profiles Heroes & Zeros: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007053115145880299839
I posted a track from these guys not too long ago and, while I like that particular song a lot, I have to agree with Jonas' opinion that the record is a bit lackluster as a whole. Good, not great, but definitely a band to watch. And hey look: They even quoted that review! Nice.

Heroes & Zeros
Strange constellations
Nightliner/Universal

It has snowballed in a fast way for these Norwegian lads and I understand why. In these days, when every other band out there gets their kicks playing indierock with an epic touch, Heroes & Zeros perform with an edge that stands out. Sure, they sound a lot like Muse at times in their most energetic songs and the U2-influences is sometimes too obvious but, hey, that is in no way a bad thing. When a band can combine such influences with great songs, such as "The foolproof" and "Cellophane", a lot is won. In fact, the latter kind of sounds like Sparta and for that I applaud them. If this record contained more of that strong material I would reconsider the 6 out of 10 I eventually gave it. I'm not worried though; Heroes & Zeros will surely put out more of this arena rock judging by how young the band members are. Word has it that they're really good live so I'm awaiting some tour dates in Sweden to check them out. Meanwhile, I will put on "Porcelain" again and I suggest that you do the same.
- Jonas Appelqvist

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
02. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
03. The Kids - Hits fra Kids
04. Tone Damli Aaberge - Sweet Fever
05. BigBang - Too Much Yang
06. Magnet - The Simple Life
07. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
08. TNT - The New Territory
09. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
10. Vidar Busk and the Voo Doodz - Jookbox Charade
11. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
12. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
13. Sivert Høyem & The Volunteers - Exiles
14. Marit Larsen - Under The Surface
15. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
16. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
17. Vamp - I full symfoni (med KORK)
18. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik
19. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
20. Skambankt - Eliksir

MP3: Heroes & Zeros - The foolproof

The music of Norwegian act Heroes & Zeros comes across as a mish-mash of popular modern rock styles. A dash of Interpol's maudlin navel-gazing, a touch of Muse's histrionics, maybe even a bit of The Killers' pop bombast. The specter of U2's influence looms large as well. It's not terribly original (and neither are many of the acts I cited), yet somehow it works. Quite well, too. Heroes & Zeros do epic, brooding dark rock right. They're pop enough to secure a major label deal (at home in Norway anyway), but retain enough of an edge to make them stand out. I love this particular song that I've posted today for it's patient pacing and subdued chorus. It's one of the album's slower, more sombre moments and full of all sorts of subtle moments that make the hairs on my neck stand up. The swell of the keyboards, the surprising vocal harmonies, the little pause before the word "bruised" - an absurd attention to detail. I'm impressed.

Heroes & Zeros - The foolproof

My special guest on my radio show this week was Ola Frick of the Moonbabies. Here's what we played:

01. Johndoe - Kjøtere
02. TALK 1
03. Mixtapes & Cellmates - The better half of cynical boys
04. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
05. Breach - Lost crew
06. TALK 2
07. Silverbullit - Only gold
08. Lack - Primo Levi
09. Samuraj Cities - All along the shoreline
10. Rockettothesky - Barrie for Billy MacKenzie
11. TALK 3
12. Fireside - Let Rasputin do it
13. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
14. Moonbabies - War on sound
15. TALK 4
16. Moonbabies - Cocobelle
17. TALK 5
18. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom (comp version)
19. Björn Kleinhenz - Pocket of gold
20. TALK 6
21. Loney, Dear - Saturday waits
22. Revolvo - Marmelade
23. TALK 7
24. Emerald Park - Open up
25. KVLR - Capitol city child
26. TALK 8
27. David & the Citizens - Are you in my blood?
28. TALK 9
29. David Åhlén - Wasted breaths
30. Maia Hirasawa - Still June
31. TALK 10
32. Moonbabies - Sun A.M. (outtake version)
33. TALK 11
34. Moonbabies - Don't ya know?

Not only did Ola reveal that he used to be a member of the Mercyful Fate fanclub, but it also looks like he'll be recording the next David & the Citizens record. Excellent!

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
02. Tone Damli Aaberge - Sweet Fever
03. TNT - The New Territory
04. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
05. BigBang - Too Much Yang
06. Magnet - The Simple Life
07. Vidar Busk and the Voo Doodz - Jookbox Charade
08. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
09. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
10. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
11. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
12. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
13. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
14. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
15. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik
16. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
17. Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao
18. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Wayfaring Stranger - A Spiritual Songbook
19. Shit City - God bless our home
20. Jokke & Valentinerne - Prisen for popen

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli
02. BigBang - Too Much Yang
03. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
04. Magnet - The Simple Life
05. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
06. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
07. Christel Alsos - Closing The Distance
08. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
09. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
10. Finn Kalvik - Komplett Klassisk Kalvik
11. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
12. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
13. Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao
14. Rune Rudberg - Rett fra sofaen
15. Thomas Dybdahl - Science
16. Lomsk - Amerikabrevet
17. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
18. Jokke & Valentinerne - Prisen for popen
19. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Wayfaring Stranger - A Spiritual Songbook
20. Röyksopp - The Understanding

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. BigBang - Too Much Yang
02. Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
03. D.D.E. - No går det så det suse
04. Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør
05. Jonas Fjeld og Chatham C. - Amerikabesøk
06. Heroes & Zeros - Strange Constellations
07. Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao
08. Magnet - The Simple Life
09. Sivert Høyem & The Volunteers - Exiles
10. Steinar Albrigtsen - Moments of Peace
11. Silje Nergaard - Darkness out of blue
12. Marit Larsen - Under The Surface
13. Vamp - I full symfoni (med KORK)
14. Christel Alsos - Closing The Distance
15. Lomsk - Amerikabrevet
16. Ane Brun - Live in Scandinavia
17. Øystein Sunde - Sundes verden
18. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
19. Rune Rudberg - Rett fra sofaen
20. Madrugada - Live At Tralfamadore

MIC Norway is starting to profile many of the bands appearing at this year's By:Larm Festival, starting with In the Country, Heroes & Zeros and Christel Alsos: http://www.mic.no/english

Norwegian melodic hardcore act Heroes & Zeros has signed to Universal who will be releasing the band's debut album early next year. Listen to samples: http://www.heroesandzeros.net/heroesradio/heroesradio.htm