Enter the Hunt's debut EP "Become the Prey" will be released on June 14.
The new three-song Fattaru EP "100:-" has been confirmed for a June 14 release. Details: https://www.emi.se/nyheter.aspx?ssoid=1985 (in Swedish)
Dead Frog Records has posted 50 new demo reviews, those brave souls: https://www.deadfrogrecords.com/demos-reviews/
Norwegian label dBut has announced that Sternklang's as-yet-untitled new album has been confirmed for release on September 4. Preview a few tracks at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/sternklang
Finnish act Day Eleven will recordtheir second album at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden starting in late Augst. Jens Bogren (Katatonia, Opeth, Disco Ensemble) will produce with Miitri Aaltonen (Stam1na, Mokoma) assisting.
Burning Heart has posted the video for "Perfidia" from all-star reggae/dancehall act Club Killers: https://www.burningheart.com/bands/index.php?id=226
Backyard Babies will travel to Japan for a few shows in October:
10/15 - Loud Festival, Tokyo
10/17 - Club Quattro, Nagoya
10/18 - Club Quattro, Osaka
Lupatarkastaja reports that Finnish death/thrash metal band Dauntless has signed with Firebox Records: https://lupatarkastaja.samizdat.info/2006/05/23/dauntless-signs-a-deal-with-firebox/
Aversionline talks about the new Path of No Return record: https://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/05/from-label-formerly-known-as-gangstyle.html
Ratatosk Online interviews Norwegian melancholic rock act Washington: https://www.ratatoskonline.net/index.php?axelref=news&id=381
The new Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band single "Kill the DJ" is now streaming at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/ralphmyerz
MP3: Marvins Revolt - Mouth blood
The debut album "Fell in love with tanks & satellites" from Marvins Revolt reminds me a bit of Muse's first record "Showbiz". It's disjointed and even a bit amateurish at times, but it's also ambitious and quite promising. But instead of trying to mash together "Bends"-era Radiohead with Nirvana, Marvins Revolt tries their damnest to make Interpol-style post-punk work with big, noisy guitar-rock ala Chavez. Sometimes they do okay, especially when they rely on the latter rather than the former like on the track I've posted today, but a lot of the time it just doesn't quite click. Still, like I said, the potential is there. Muse figured it out and delivered a stunner for their sophomore album, so it's certainly possible that Marvins Revolt could do the same. Keep an eye on 'em.
Marvins Revolt - Mouth blood
MP3: Viktor Sjöberg - Winter guitars
After a week of beautiful sunshine, we're now back to the typical rainy doom & gloom here in Washington State. It's quite fitting then that today's mp3 comes from Viktor Sjöberg off his debut solo album "On a winter's day". The music probably works best as the soundtrack to a still, snow-blanketed landscape, but it also blends nicely with the steady pitter-patter of raindrops. It's unobtrusive in the way that it doesn't necessarily demand your full attention, but it definitely sets a specific mood. Like, you might not notice the record when it's on, but you'll definitely feel it when it stops and the quiet, contemplative atmosphere is sucked out of the room by silence. Viktor builds his compositions with gentle, processed guitars and field recordings which means that all of the source tones are natural and warm. Even when he turns the strum of a guitar into a shimmering ripple of sound, it never feels cold and digital. Even if it's already summer where you're at, put this on with headphones and close your eyes. The seasonal theme may be winter, but this kind of music still sounds good year-round. [BUY IT]
Olof Broström
Giant owl
Monument [2]
I'm pretty fearless in my willingness to review weird records; I guess I like the challenge of seeking a perspective on strange and offbeat sounds. So I didn't flinch after listening to Swedish electronica songwriter Olof Broström's curious sophomore full-length disc, although I wasn't sure what I would say. But let's start with the often surreal lyrics (which were handily printed out on an insert sheet), Olof's alternatingly deadpan, disembodied or just plain sad vocals, and the determinedly offbeat synth and rhythm track combo employed throughout the 15 songs. Interesting tracks include "The creation," where the vocal seems to convey a sort of pain generated for dramatic effect rather than personal catharsis, "We travel north," notable for its gurgling percussion and more balanced vocal track, "The mighty teardrops," whose minimal synth--possibly even played on a cheap Casio--does nothing to dampen the very eccentric arrangement and effects, which features an appearance by Penny Century, and on "You look like gold," the quaver in Broström's vocal adds drama to the already strange lyrics ("Of course I hear you/You're outside my window"). The instrumental "Mexico 86" sounds like traveling through a forbidding landscape at dusk, and the two "Big waters" tracks that close the album are densely textured ambient music, with the latter making a genuinely eerie, hypnotic and unsettling impression. So...Olof is eccentric and a bit outside of categories. This isn't an easy listen, but I dig artists like Mr. Broström who come from a place far away, and capture that feel in their music quite well.
- Kevin Renick