The new album "Random avenger" from Finnish post-rock/instrumental act Magyar Posse will be out sometime in April or May on Verdura.

Did you see that list of the top instrumental/post-rock albums over at Decoy Music? Claiming the #1 spot is a band from Norway cleverly named Samuel Jackson Five. I had seen their name in passing before, but I had no idea what they sounded like so I immediately went out and got a copy of their record "Easily misunderstood". I'm not the biggest post-rock/instrumental aficionado, so I'm not exactly qualified to state whether or not the album deserves the #1 ranking, but I do like what I hear: looping, hypnotic riffs, loud epic passages and a pronounced Scandinavian sense of melody. Some of the tracks remind me a bit of Finnish post-rockers Magyar Posse but then again, on tracks like the one I've posted today, you'll hear that SJ5 takes the "rock" part of the genre name much more seriously. It starts out quiet, but right around 2:30 they crank it up and kick out the jams.

MP3: The Samuel Jackson Five - No name

Did you see that list of the top instrumental/post-rock albums over at Decoy Music? Claiming the #1 spot is a band from Norway cleverly named Samuel Jackson Five. I had seen their name in passing before, but I had no idea what they sounded like so I immediately went out and got a copy of their record "Easily misunderstood". I'm not the biggest post-rock/instrumental aficionado, so I'm not exactly qualified to state whether or not the album deserves the #1 ranking, but I do like what I hear: looping, hypnotic riffs, loud epic passages and a pronounced Scandinavian sense of melody. Some of the tracks remind me a bit of Finnish post-rockers Magyar Posse but then again, on tracks like the one I've posted today, you'll hear that SJ5 takes the "rock" part of the genre name much more seriously. It starts out quiet, but right around 2:30 they crank it up and kick out the jams.

The Samuel Jackson Five - No name

Podcast: Build it up, break it down, mess it up

New track posted today from Plain Fade, an amazing post-rock act from Finland. I've been trying to hype them for awhile now, but have held off on posting an mp3 until today. There are some bands that hook me the very first time I hear them and Plain Fade are definitely one such group. Even hearing mere one-minute mp3 samples of their work was enough to get me excited, and that's saying something. Some bands grow on you with time, some you just know, intrinsically, without question. Catch my drift? The sound bears the typical trappings of the genre, such as the epic soundscapes and drawn-out dynamic passages, but there's more to it than that. Like countrymen Magyar Posse, they possess a melodic sensibility that I can't adequately describe, except to call it Finnish. It's dark and foreboding, but it's not metal. The only other band I can possibly compare them to would be Kayo Dot, as both acts share similar qualities such as the high, keening vocals and a refreshing rhythmic looseness that allows the songs to flow and breathe. Plain Fade might not be at the same compositional level as Kayo Dot yet, but you can tell they have grand ideas, they just need more time to develop them. My only complaint is that they rarely get quite as heavy as I'd like, but on the other hand, I must admit that the level of restraint works in their favor as it keeps them from becoming yet another band with only two volume settings. By far one of the most promising and audacious debuts I've heard this year. Dial-up users beware - this is a long song and a big download.

Updated live dates for Finnish post-rockers Magyar Posse:

06/16 - Down Town, Turku (FIN)
06/19 - Bar And Boos, Leiden (HOL)
06/21 - Le Boulevard, Breda (HOL)
06/22 - Molodoi, Strasbourg, (FRA)
06/25 - Clos Fleuri, Lyon (FRA)
06/28 - Glaz'art, Paris (FRA)
06/29 - La Rumeur, Lille (FRA)
07/26 - Tavasta, Helsinki (FIN)
07/29 - Afisha Open Air, Moscow (RUS)
07/30 - StarZ Club, Moscow (RUS)
08/12 - Kivistofolk, Vantaa (FIN)
11/18 - Kanneltalo, Helsinki (FIN)

Finland's Magyar Posse is currently working on their third album, tentatively titled "Terror. Death. Love." Upcoming live dates:

04/13 - Klubi, Turku (FIN)
04/14 - Klubi, Tampere (FIN)
04/16 - Club 25, Vaasa (FIN)
04/17 - 45 Special, Oulu (FIN)
04/22 - Vernissa, Vantaa (FIN)
04/23 - Nosturi, Helsinki (FIN) w/Liekki
04/29 - Club 19, Pori (FIN)
08/12 - Kivistofolk, Vantaa (FIN)

Go here to download a couple sample tracks from Finnish heavy post-rock act Plain Fade: http://www.kolumbus.fi/e.salmi/records.html
The band sounds like a mix of Isis, Cult of Luna and Magyar Posse and will release their debut album "Lies, sanctions and cruise missiles" very soon. Even though the sound clips are short, I definitely like what I hear and am eager to check out more. Be sure to listen to the dramatic vocals on "Cerebellum" - it's good stuff. (via)

Tons of Scandinavian music is the latest Aquarius Records new release list including Hans Edler, Magyar Posse, Pan Sonic, Aavikko, Finntroll and more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

Not only are there two new radio playlists added on the right, but there's also a new album of the month. Koma is a great band that manages to strike the perfect balance between heaviness and melody. Members of The Perishers and Cult of Luna and totally worth checking out. As for the radio stuff, take your pic between some sweet, summer pop tunes, both new and old. Or chill out with a selection of instrumental music, from noisy electronics a la Pan Sonic, to gentle jazz from Tord Gustavsen to epic post-rock from Magyar Posse. Or listen to both - the choice is yours.

Streaming playlist: Instrumental

They also cover Finnish post-rock instrumentalists Magyar Posse: http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/magyar_kings.html

Here's the new press page for the album "Kings of Time" from Finnish instrumental rockers Magyar Posse: http://www.verdurarecords.com/magyarpossekingsoftimecd/index.htm

Updated tour dates for Finnish postrock instrumentalists Magyar Posse:

04/23 - Down Town, Turku (FIN) w/Avarus
04/30 - Vernissa, Vantaa (FIN)
05/14 - Onervarock, Luvia (FIN) w/Penniless, more
05/15 - Ylakaupungin Yo, Jyvaskyla (FIN) w/Lapko, more
05/19 - Stella Star, Helsinki (FIN)
05/22 - Heinahattu, Kotka (FIN) w/Sergio
06/26 - Raumanmeren Juhannus, Rauma (FIN)
07/17 - Ilosaarirock, Ilosaari (FIN)
07/31 - Karmarock, Harjavalta (FIN)
08/25 - OMVF, Oulu (FIN)

The new album "Kings of Time" from Finland's Magyar Posse has been confirmed for a March 11 release.