just released a new, ultra-limited cassette from Norwegian noise act The White Tiger Prepade with the title "Ancient future". 30 copies, each with a unique cover; ordering info and samples here: http://www.oslogrammofon.com/ancient.html
Spanish webzine Necromance interviewed Norwegians Okkultokrati and the band has posted the original English version of their conversation: http://okkultokrati.blogspot.com/2010/08/okkultokrati-interview-in-necromance.html
I kind of hate the studio version of this song, even moreso having seen the above. Multi-tracked vocals and shitty machine percussion set for drum'n'bass circa 10 years ago are not befitting an artist such as Susanne Sundfør; she requires no such adornment and the more you layer on, the more it takes away. I especially detest the way the lines "You make me bleed / You make me breathe" are twisted into some sort of neo-R&B melisma harmony, even worse that they drop the floor from beneath her at that most crucial, cringeworthy moment. "The brothel", the title track of her latest album, is still the best song of 2010, but here you will see why I can't recommend it as a whole -- "It's all gone tomorrow" remains a terrific song at its core, but its production problems are emblematic of the record's shortcomings.
Susanne Sundfør - It's all gone tomorrow
The Metal Hammer-curated Ja Ja Ja showcase that was cancelled in April due to the Icelandic volcano eruption has now been rescheduled for September 16 and will feature Sólstafir, Thunderstone and Kvelertak: http://www.jajajamusic.com/events.php
Far From TellusFar from Tellus' self-titled album is a swirling, cohesive, and, most importantly, damned entertaining effort, combining elements of folk and blues, 70s rock and 80s pop, all on their own terms. Like some strange marriage between The Kinks and fellow Norwegians Superfamily, Far from Tellus ramble through decades of inspiration, tying these echoes together into seamless, layered, and often anthemic compositions. Also, like the aforementioned Kinks, Far from Tellus have a fine relationship with the poignant and the playful, never allowing the latter to overpower or besmirch the former: "Norwegian fairytale mix" blossoms to life with such swagger upon layers of guitar, piano, and banjo, only to transition into a gloriously simple and memorable chorus; "Mogens" opens with a strummed banjo and closes with enough rock organ to make any Zeppelin fan happy, its middle section reminiscent of the clever, driving compositions of Herr Nilsson, yet another Norwegian outfit (I'm sensing a theme here); and seven-minute closer "Bless our souls" builds beautifully to its wonderfully raucous ending, reminding me of Britpop acts like James throughout. "Far from Tellus" is an impressive display of talent and songwriting. I wouldn't be surprised to find it on my Best of 2010 list, even with almost half a year left to go.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Drowned in Sound asks a number of folks to recommend their "must-see" acts at this year's Øya Festival: http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4140630-who-to-see--industry-tips-on-norwegian-acts-at-øya-2010
The video for the title track of the new album, out now via . Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7kdRTVA-8w
Norwegian act Djerv (ex-Animal Alpha) have announced that their debut release will be the 3-track "Headstone EP", due out August 3 via their own label . The material was originally recorded as a demo, but is being released now to tide over fans until the eventual full-length which will be released in February/March 2011.
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Niels Nielsen - Dpend
02. TALK 1
03. Haleiwa - Pure vida dude
04. Óðmenn - Einn ég ræ
05. The Bear Quartet - Lovers goodbye
06. Night Minutes - Sweetheart at the funeral
07. TALK 2
08. A Swarm of the Sun - The worms are out
09. Logh - An alliance of hearts
10. Tomas Halberstad - I must be in love
11. TALK 3
12. Liechtenstein - On the tram
13. Scraps of Tape - Blindspot
14. Dear Euphoria - Coming down
15. Dyno - Emotional
16. TALK 4
17. Kvelertak - Ordsmedar av rang
18. The Social Services - Baltic Sea
19. Oriel Joans - Knuckles whiten
20. TALK 5
21. Ted Gärdestad - Oh, vilken härlig dag
Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.
WaklevörenBloody helvete! We all knew that Norwegian punk-laden thrashers Waklevören had it in them to create an absolute killer of an album, but until "De dødes arkiv" hit the streets, we had no idea just how much of a napalm blast it would create. This, their third release, is their best and most varied yet. It's got the hardcore, fuck-everything attitude they're known for, but it's so strong now that it just oozes from the speakers, leaving no doubt that this is truly genuine metal played with absolute passion.
You could maybe class Waklevören as the quintessential anti-supergroup. Comprising members of Red Harvest, Immortal, Aura Noir, Fuck You All and Infernö, they have every right to demand respect but, the fact is, they really don't give a damn. It's obvious in this, their heaviest record so far, that it has been a case of "Let's drink a shitload of beers and jam out some brutal hardcore thrash. If they like it, fair enough. If they don't, who cares!?" There's not much point in trying to single out highpoints on here as there's not a dull moment to be had. And the fact is, that if you're into the kind of filthy vehemence spewed by the likes of countrymen Obliteration or Sweden's crustcore kings Skitsystem, you'll absolutely adore this. It might be a bold statement, but I'd even go so far as to say that this is possibly the best album released that falls under that crusty, punky thrash umbrella. If ever there was an essential album within a particular genre, this is it. Having reviewed hundreds of albums over the years, I must also point out that this is the first I've ever given full marks to. Why? Just buy the fucking thing and find out!
- John Norby
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Hellbillies - Leite etter lykka
02. Contrazt - Ser på verden
03. Alexander Rybak - No Boundaries
04. Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel
05. Kvelertak - Kvelertak
06. Guren Hagen - Alle de beste
07. Karpe Diem - Aldri Solgt En Løgn
08. Aasmund Nordstoga - Friaren
09. Madrugada - Industrial Silence
10. Lars Vaular - Helt om natten, Helt om dagen
11. Knutsen & Ludvigsen - Dum og Deilig - Knutsen og Ludvigsen
12. Donkeyboy - Caught in a Life
13. Gitarkameratene - Kanon! Gitarkameratenes aller beste
14. Celine - Jentekveld
15. Divin' Ducks - Best Of
16. Steff Nevers - Ain't no bad life
17. A-ha - Hunting High And Low
18. StMorritz - Tusenvis av ting
19. A-ha - Scoundrel Days
20. Trond Granlund - Sanger jeg lærte av faren min
The new Virus album "The agent that shapes the desert" won't be out until late 2010, but their label is already starting to take preorders so they can raise enough money to do it right: http://www.duplicate-records.com/viruspreorder.htm
will be releasing a discography collection from Norwegian punks Siste Dagers Helvete in late August: http://tigernet.no/shop/release.php?code=129472
Also, I do suspect that the FYR001 catalog number means we'll be seeing more retrospective releases from the label in days to come.
Norwegian act Tommy Tokyo & Starving For My Gravy will release their new album on September 20. No title or any other details yet, but it was produced by Head (way too many credits to list) and was recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in Wales.
