Country: Norway

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Odd Nordstoga - November
02. Röyksopp - Senior
03. Dimmu Borgir - Abrahadabra
04. Kari Bremnes - Fantastisk Allerede
05. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2010
06. Elin Gaustad - Whole New Beginning
07. Christel Alsos - Tomorrow is
08. Skambankt - Søvnløs
09. Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel
10. Hellbillies - Leite etter lykka
11. Tommy Tokyo feat Starving for My Gravy - Go Time, Showtime & Absolute War
12. a-ha - 25
13. Filmmusikk: - Splitter pinne - Reinspikka hits fra knerten filmen
14. Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini
15. Linda Kvam - Anything For Love
16. Inger Lise Rypdal - De beste jeg vet
17. Kvelertak - Kvelertak
18. Bjørn Johan Muri - Airwaves
19. Jan Garbarek/The Hilliard Ensemble - Officium Novum
20. The Respatexans - Hellbilly Heaven

PopMatters reviews A-ha reissues

PopMatters reviews the 25th anniversary reissues of A-ha's first two albums, "Hunting high and low" and "Scoundrel days": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/129610-a-ha-hunting-high-and-low-scoundrel-days/

In Space No One Can Hear You Skweee

Check out a brand new XL8R TV feature on Skweee featuring interviews, live performances and more: http://www.xlr8r.com/tv/149

New Lukestar gets mastering date

The new Lukestar album will be mastered on October 25. I don't have any other details beyond that, but I'm stoked to hear it.

Ulver, live in Porto

Ulver will be travelling to Portugal to perform at Casa da Música on November 5 alongside industrial/noise legends Throbbing Gristle. Click here for details.

I Was A King to get US release via Sound Familyre

, the label of the Danielson Family, will be releasing I Was A King's latest record "Old friends" in the US on January 25.

Skambankt vinyl boxset coming in November

imprint is putting out a 4xLP Skambankt boxset which will include the band's first three albums as well as an expanded version of the "Skamania" EP with three extra bonus tracks. This article says something about how the new material was recorded back when the band was "an uncompromising punkrock band," but I remain skeptical as that period of time never existed.

Altaar cancel CMJ, plan 7"

Norwegian metal/noise act Altaar has scuttled their plans to play CMJ, but on the flipside, they'll be recording a 7" in December.

10 years of Nordic at Drowned in Sound

Drowned in Sound celebrates 10 years of existence with a week-long focus on Nordic music: http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4141266

MP3: Hope I Die Virgin - At crude garbage falls

Far more "indie" sounding than most of the stuff puts out, but that doesn't necessarily translate to less good. "At crude garbage falls" is the new single from Norway's Hope I Die Virgin, the first taste of their forthcoming album "Is forever no way" which will be released in 2011. Those dudes have some seriously ugly sweaters, but they make up for with excellent use of prominent keyboards. Direct link to the video: http://vimeo.com/15688045

Hope I Die Virgin - At crude garbage falls

New Hypertext album in November

The new Hypertext album "Astronaut Kraut!" has been confirmed for release on November 15. Hear the lead single "Ivy league" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hypertextband

A Fist in the Face of God interviews Deathhammer

A Fist in the Face of God talks to Norwegian thrashers Deathhammer ahead of their appearance at the Live Evil Festival in London: http://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2010/10/interview-with-sadomancer-of.html

PopMatters reviews Espen Eriksen Trio

PopMatters reviews Espen Eriksen Trio's "You had me at goodbye": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/131111-espen-eriksen-trio-you-had-me-at-goodbye/

MP3: Code 64 - Deviant

It's a shame that so many EBM acts such as Code 64 so often have such shamelessly lame teen-angst lyrics because the music is actually pretty good. C'mon now, grown-ass men should not be saying things like "I will never be a puppet of conformity!" with a straight face; there are far more poetic ways to express those feelings if you didn't get over it past high school. I guess you also have to consider the intended audience though and understand that many a basement-dwelling cybergoth oh so desperately wants to be misunderstood. Me, I just want good tunes I can jam without being embarrassed and only a portion of Code 64's new record "Trialogue" fits the bill. That is, if you pay attention to the lyrics. The tunes themselves are actually all pretty decent.

Code 64 - Deviant

Imperial State Electric/Bloodlights to tour, release split 7"

Imperial State Electric and Bloodlights, two overrated rock acts featuring members from bands that used to be good, will be touring together in November and will be putting out a split 7" with the two bands. I'm not sure what Bloodlights is doing, but ISE is covering "Castaway" by Greg Kihn. Dates at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/imperialstateelectric