Country: Norway

Beyond Dawn collection to finally see light of day in 2012

is finally getting around to putting out the long-awaited Beyond Dawn rarities collection "The righteous underground" and are looking to secure preorders to make it happen: http://duplicate-records.com/beyonddawn.htm
If I had cash to throw around, I'd get right on it -- Beyond Dawn is/was one of the finest, most interesting bands to come out of Norway's metal scene in the 90s, evolving from doom-with-trombone to experimental art-rock and beyond. All of their records are worth having and I'm sure this vault of previously unreleased material contains many gems.

Norway at SXSW

Listen to Norway has posted a full schedule for Norwegian acts showcasing at SXSW (along with a Spotify playlist): http://listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2012031211270879330281

Emil Nikolaisen signs with Smalltown Supersound

has signed prolific artist/producer Emil Nikolaisen of Serena-Maneesh: http://www.smalltownsupersound.com/2012/03/12/signing-emil-nikolaisen-serena-maneesh/
Not sure if that means his band or a solo project, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

Listen to Norway: A walk on the dark side

Listen to Norway has assembled a Spotify playlist showcasing some of the best heavy music their country has to offer: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2012030916030445138933

Live at the Office: Katzenjammer

Check out Katzenjammer doing the Live at the Office thing for Listen to Norway/NRK at the Norwegian HQ of Spotify. Great band, very recommended!

Fenriz' Band of the Week: Avfall

Fenriz's latest Band of the Week: Norwegian crust/metal act Avfall. Check out their demo at Bandcamp.

99 Minutes #21

Episode #21 of Listen to Norway's excellent podcast program "99 Minutes" is now online: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2012030809342039053788
No unifying theme this time out, just a diverse batch of interesting Norwegian music from all genres.

Razika to release new 7" via 540 Records

, the label run by the dude who puts on Chaos in Tejas, will be releasing a new 7" from Norwegian act Razika. Details forthcoming.

mylittlepony now Making Marks

Norwegian indie act mylittlepony (nee My Little Pony) has changed names once again and shall henceforth be known as Making Marks, the title of their sophomore album. They'll break in the new name with a few dates in Italy:

04/18 - Black Market, Roma
04/19 - Spazzio Mavv, Vittorio Veneto
04/20 - Carmen Town, Brescia
04/21 - La Mela di Newton, Padova
04/22 - odelay!, Bologna

New SJ5 album in April

Norwegian postrock act The Samuel Jackson Five have announced that their new self-titled album, their fourth overall, will be released on April 27 via . This will mark the first time the band will be heard on record with vocals, as the new album will feature songs sung by guests such as Truls Heggero (Lukestar, Truls and the Trees), Pål Angelskår (Minor Majority) and Thomas Bratlie (Rumble in Rhodos), in addition to new band member Jonny "the Captain" Knutsen. Samples soon?

Mikhael Paskalev - I spy (video)

Urørt winner Mikhael Paskalev now has an official video for his award-garnering single "I spy".

New music from Barren Womb (ex-Like Rats from a Sinking Ship)

Bad Sounds brings news of the new band Barren Womb rising from the ashes of Like Rats from a Sinking Ship: http://www.badsoundsmagazine.com/article/barren-womb-fresh-blood-from-experienced-players/
The band's debut release will be a split 7" with crust/grind act Forræderi, due out May 4 via /.

Thrashing Rage III

A Fist in the Face of God has assembled a new chapter in their "Thrashing Rage" mix series, but instead of harkening back to 80s glory days, this one focuses solely on bands from the 90s and beyond: http://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2012/03/fist-in-face-of-god-presents-thrashing.html
Of course Scandinavia is well-represented or I wouldn't be posting it -- featured bands include Antichrist, Audiopain, Nekromantheon, Corrupt, Condor and more.

Listen to Norway talks to Thomas Dybdahl

Listen to Norway talks with Thomas Dybdahl ahead of his upcoming European tour: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2012030214023184069581

120 Days album stream

has posted the new 120 Days album "II" as a single continuous track for streaming-in-full: http://splendour.no/post/18551310098/listen-to-120-days-new-album-ii-in-full-here