Viola - Suddenness
Viola's new free track for the month of March is now up: http://www.violamusicclub.com/2011-03-suddenness
Country: Finland
Koria Kitten Riot - Mother (video)
Check out a new video from Finnish artist Koria Kitten Riot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOvkMmkawr4
Look for the new album "The lows & the highs" to be released later this year.
Deathbed is dead
Finnish hardcore act Deathbed is calling it quits: http://killedbybed.blogspot.com/2011/02/2005-2011.html
The band's last two shows are February 26 at Roosterfest in Lahti and March 18 in Jyväskylä.
Pintandwefall - Paranoid (video)
"Paranoid", video #9 out of 11. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udlojutPxFU
No Shame to film live DVD
Finnish punks No Shame will be filming their upcoming gigs at Semifinal in Helsinki on April 8-9 for an eventual DVD release.
Lemonator - Superb (classic video)
Speaking again of 90s nostalgia, how 'bout this old Lemonator clip from 96? I seriously had no idea those dudes used to go off so hard! Pretty exciting to have stumbled across it over the weekend.
Lapko to release new EP
Lapko will be releasing a new EP called "Horse and crow" on March 10 to coincide with their upcoming German tour which will include a single version of the title track plus three previously unreleased cuts. It will be available both as a digital download and will also be pressed as a limited edition CD with 3D artwork (glasses included). Preview here: http://www.lapko.com/weareanimals/
New Svart vinyl coming soon
Finnish vinyl fetishists will be releasing the LP version of Oranssi Pazuzu's excellent black-metal/dub record "Muukalainen puhuu" in the near future in a "delirious glow-in-the-dark gatefold" edition that will probably be well-worth the ridiculous import price. They're also putting out a 2xLP reissue of Katatonia's brilliant "Discouraged ones" album with the "Saw you drown" EP tacked on as a bonus. No exact release dates for either, but they say they are currently being manufactured and should be ready in a month or two. Beyond that, I'm most stoked to see that they'll be doing a CMX 4xLP box this spring as there's zero chance of me ever finding anything by that band here in the US.
PopMatters reviews Delay Trees
PopMatters reviews Finnish act Delay Trees: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/136804-delay-trees-delay-trees/
Sielun Veljet returns
Finnish act Sielun Veljet is back and will be playing their first-ever show in 20 years at Ilosaarirock in Joensuu, Finland on July 16. They also have a new single out called "Nukkuva hirviö" which you can preview here: http://www.sielunveljet.com/
New Black Audio out now
Been awhile since we've heard anything new from Finnish blues weirdos Black Audio, but now they're back with a new LP on called "Endurator": http://www.ifsociety.com/item/black_audio-endurator-lp
MP3: Barbe-Q-Barbies - All over you
They've got a bummer name and a bit too much of a try-hard corny look for my tastes, but unlike contributor John Norby, I actually really like it when Barbe-Q-Barbies channel AC/DC. In fact, I'd say they're at their best when they lean closer to classic 70s rock/powerpop (think Cheap Trick) than 80s glam/hair metal. Give them a heavier sound and they'd probably end up generic also-rans, but give me big hooks and raw power and I'm sold.
Barbe-Q-Barbies - All over you
Off the Record: The Soundtrack of Our Lives (live video)
There's a new episode of Off the Record online featuring The Soundtrack of Our Lives performing three acoustic songs at Kafe Moskova in Helsinki, the bar owned by famed director Aki Kaurismäki: http://offtherecord.fi/tsool/
Nightsatan
Midnight laser warrior
Solina Records
A bit of a strange mix, this. First off, the name Nightsatan might give the impression that we're dealing with some sort of extreme metal outfit. Then, the cyberpunk album artwork hints that we might be in for a punk rock affair, quite possibly laced with a good measure of electronica. What the Finnish trio have essentially come up with is an instrumental style that sounds off like Genghis Tron (minus any hint of metal) and Kraftwerk doing cheesy '80s movie soundtracks. It works well for the most part, offering an odd amalgam of the music of "The Terminator" and John Carpenter's "Dark star", and there's a definite atmosphere here makes it an enjoyable listen. It does require a certain frame of mind to be able to sit through the entire album though and, when you've found that headspace, it's quite sublime. That said, the drum sound is atrocious and ruins any segments that require the use of a snare. Bottom line, "Midnight laser warrior" is an average album that could do with a little less self-indulgence -- and a bearable drum sound.
- John Norby
New album confirmed for Shine 2009
The new album "Realism" from Finnish electronic pop duo Shine 2009 has been confirmed for release on April 12 via offshoot label .