Firefox AK on the road
New live dates for Firefox AK:
08/13 - Zitadelle Spandau, Berlin (GER) w/Hurts
09/07 - Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo, Helsinki (FIN)
09/10 - Berlin Festival, Berlin (GER)
Deathchain
Death gods
Pulverised Records
The first thing I'll say about this album is that it's a grower. First impressions are that it's yet another run-of-the-mill technical death metal blastfest, but after a few listens "Death gods" begins to redeem itself. There's nothing entirely new going on here at all, rather it's a collection of tunes that border on the oldschool Swedish sound and style and that manage to better the output of a great deal of the Swedish bands who have been embracing the revival over the last few years. That's not to say that Deathchain are jumping on the funeral cart -- they've been in the business of doing their own thing for the last decade and they've been damn good at it too. The bottom line on describing "Death gods" is that it will appeal to anyone hoping to find something a little more high-end in the current HM-2 explosion. The production does a good job of extracting maximum heaviness from all involved and, in the oversaturation within this genre right now, this can often be a deciding factor in purchase decisions. A bit more listener perseverance than usual required for this one but that's what elevates it from a 2 to a 7.
- John Norby
Mindy Misty is Fenriz' band of the week
Fenriz has selected excellent Norwegian noiserockers Mindy Misty as his band of the week: https://www.myspace.com/officialdarkthrone/blog/543813880
I tend to enjoy most of his picks, but this one will even appeal to non-metal folks.
jj + Ne-Yo - We can't stop
Listen to a new collaboration between jj and Ne-Yo, as brought together via Adult Swim and posted at Pitchfork: https://pitchfork.com/news/43396-listen-jj-collaborate-with-ne-yo/
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: https://www.runegrammofon.com/artists/humcrush/rcd-2114-humcrush-with-sidsel-endresen-ha-cd/
Pintandwefall back to Germany
Pintandwefall are heading back to Germany in September:
09/21 - Privat Club, Berlin (GER)
09/22 - Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg (GER)
PopMatters reviews Graveyard
PopMatters reviews Graveyard's much-hyped "Hisingen blues": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/141336-graveyard-hisingen-blues/
New Found Land - Holes (video)
Something new from Swedish folksie/melancholy act New Found Land.
Dia Psalma says goodbye
Gaffa reports that long-running Swedish Trallpunk act Dia Psalma will be calling it quits after 20 years and one last tour: https://gaffa.se/nyhet/51419
The Vectors/Frantic split out now on SIK Records
has just released their first new record since 2002, a split 7" from long-running Umeå old-timer punk acts The Vectors and Frantic. Samples and more info: https://sikrecords.se/
Kråkesølv taking a break
Norwegian indierocks Kråkesølv will be taking a year off following their show at Verketfestivalen on September 3.
Magyar Posse working on new album
Been a long, long time since we've heard anything new fromÝ postrock/instrumental act Magyar Posse, but apparently they are currently working on album #4 at home in Pori, Finland.
Viola - I like sad satellites
Viola's new tune for the month of August is a cover of member Tommi's old band sissy spacek and the song "I like sad satellites": https://www.violamusicclub.com/2011-08-i-like-sad-satellites
New Nicolai Dunger album in late August
Nicolai Dunger has confirmed that he will be releasing the new album "Ballad of this Land" on August 31. Said album was recorded with producers Jari Haapalainen and Nille Perned and is said to be inspired by his recent trip to Ireland and work of Irish Traveller/folksinger Tommy Daron.