The Silent Ballet reviews Biosphere
The Silent Ballet reviews the latest Biosphere album "N-plants": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/4341/Default.aspx
Country: Norway
Casiokids confirm new album, offer sample tune for download
The new Casiokids album "Aabenbaringen over aaskammen" has been confirmed for release on October 11 via . Check out the lead single "Det haster!" here: http://iheartvinyl.polyvinylrecords.com/em/dethaster
Mindy Misty is Fenriz' band of the week
Fenriz has selected excellent Norwegian noiserockers Mindy Misty as his band of the week: http://www.myspace.com/officialdarkthrone/blog/543813880
I tend to enjoy most of his picks, but this one will even appeal to non-metal folks.
Sandra Kolstad - Fire burn, blood flow (video)
A new video from Norwegian artist Sandra Kolstad off her debut album "Crux", available now via .
Rune Grammofon confirms Humcrush album details
has posted details for the new Humcrush album "Ha!", which includes vocalist Sidsel Endresen and will be released on August 19: http://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/humcrush/rcd-2114-humcrush-with-sidsel-endresen-ha-cd/
Kråkesølv taking a break
Norwegian indierocks Kråkesølv will be taking a year off following their show at Verketfestivalen on September 3.
RIP Harald Johnsen (Tord Gustavsen Trio)
Norwegian jazz bassist Harald Johnsen of the Tord Gustavsen Trio (among many other fine acts) has passed away after a long illness. There will be a funeral in Oslo on Wednesday at Paulus Kirke.
Magnus Eliassen & Kråkesølv - Til dem du e glad i (video)
A new charity single from Magnus Eliassen and Kråkesølv benefitting the Norwegian Red Cross in the wake of last week's tragedy. More here: http://8000bodo.tumblr.com/post/8119369609/tildemduegladi
Execration
Odes of the occult
Duplicate Records/Vendlus
In the short space of time that Oslo's Execration have been around they've managed to build a reputation as being one of Norway's heaviest bands. With their feet planted firmly on old-school death metal ground, they have nevertheless managed to create something of an enigmatic body of work in their second full length, "Odes of the occult". Right from the beginning -- and in various other sections of the album -- they give off a heavy stoner vibe that blends with their death metal overtones to perfection. It's an effortless combination that makes for one of the most interesting albums to come out of the country in years and, above all, it works. From the predominately mid-paced opener "Ode to obscurity", through the dronetastic "Intermezzo I" and "Intermezzo II", to the relentless blasting of "Grains", the band manages to cover all corners of the extreme metal spectrum in an utterly convincing manner. Slightly reminiscent of Autopsy in places, where "Odes of the occult" really shines is in its ability to create an overwhelming atmosphere throughout. The production is bang on the money; it's tight, but far from clinical; dirty, but far from sloppy. It ticks all the right boxes and it's an album that truly captures the essence of what the early death metal movement was all about.
- John Norby
The Inarguable interviews Fenriz
There's a new, long interview with Fenriz of Darkthrone at the blog The Inarguable: http://theinarguable.blogspot.com/2011/07/made-of-music-interview-with-gylve.html
Fuck Burzum
And fuck you if you support this piece of shit in any way. Read here: http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/war_in_europe01.shtml (intentionally not hyperlinked)
It's continually appalling that "respectable" labels continue to release this guy's music and even worse that "respectable" people continue to buy it. There are no excuses.
Fenriz' Band of the Week: Hårda Tider
Fenriz' band of the week is Swedish HC act Hårda Tider: http://www.myspace.com/officialdarkthrone/blog/543740537
Dusted reviews Jenny Hval (Rockettothesky)
Dusted reviews Jenny Hval's new record "Viscera", her first under her own name and not Rockettothesky: http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6576
Oslo Skyline
Washington Post Express writer and friend-of-the-site Christopher Porter reflects on the music of Norway in light of last week's tragedy: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/07/the-music-of-norway.php
MP3: Execration - Ode to obscurity
Down with Norwegian right-wing extremists, up with Norwegian extreme death metal! It's impossible for me to articulate just how horrible last week's events make me feel. The best I can do is extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Norway along with everyone else affected by this tragedy.
As for Execration, there will not be a better death metal album released in 2011.
Execration - Ode to obscurity