Cryptborn to Detest
has signed Finnish act Cryptborn and will be releasing the band's demo tape at the upcoming Hell's Pleasure metal fest in late July.
Combat Rock confirms Atom Notes, Särkyneet for late August
has confirmed that the new Atom Notes and Särkyneet albums will both be released on August 31.
MP3: Walk Through Fire - Furthest from heaven
I was originally planning to discuss summer music this week, but it seems a bit inappropriate considering recent circumstances, not to mention the fact that, despite what the calendar says, it doesn't really even feel like summer here anyway. As the clouds build outside, it doesn't really look like it either. Instead, I bring you something new from Walk Through Fire, one the absolute most devastating doom acts I've heard since Abandon. Which makes perfect sense, since the two are related in some way. Anyhow, if you're looking to envelop yourself in the sounds of pure, soul-crushing darkness, look no further. Put this on, turn it up LOUD and be prepared to get fucking bummed.
Listen to the rest of the band's new record at Bandcamp: https://walkthroughfire.bandcamp.com/
Teddybears - Weed ina Rizzla (video)
New stuff from Teddybears, slowly finding its way online.
Live Evil 2011: Aura Noir
The 2011 edition of the Live Evil Festival, the UK-based metal fest booked entirely on recommendations culled from Fenriz' vaulted "Band of the Week" posts, has been confirmed for October 22-23 and will feature Aura Noir plus 16 more acts. It's yet to be updated with new info, but you should be able to stay informed of updates here: https://www.liveevilfestival.com/
Zero Illusions
Oblivion
ZI Productions
Predictable! Within two seconds -- literally -- of the bass intro kicking off on this album I can tell exactly how the riff's going to develop. Hoping for a pleasant surprise, however, is short-lived. The riff does, indeed, pan out exactly as I had imagined; as does the entire song. Not a good start. By third track, "Who you are", this has become a cringeworthy affair, not only because of having to endure a poor attempt at some sort of Zakk Wylde in-rhythm pinching, but also due to what can best be described as a collection of schoolboy riffs. "Honesty" almost redeems itself with a decent chorus reminiscent of something on Anthrax's "The sound of white noise", but the remainder of the song is entirely forgettable. Guys, I'm really sorry, but this isn't doing it for me at all. As you say in the song "Get out", I've tried to understand. And in all the metal that I have reviewed this year alone, within every subgenre under the sun, this is down there with the worst of them. It's not for the lack of effort, I'm sure, but if one positive thing is to be taken from this it's that there's obvious potential here. Closer "Enemy within" is actually well done and easily the best on the album. Too little too late this time, but it's more attention to detail and composition in the future that could find Zero Illusions release something noteworthy.
- John Norby
Arrow Meet Francis - Hurricane (video)
The official debut single from Arrow Meet Francis, aka Dick Pettersson of In These Woods.
It's a Trap! Clubnights fall update
It's a Trap! Clubnights for the fall season are starting to be confirmed and we've already got We Are the Storm coming on September 24 and then Kriget + Like Rats from a Sinking Ship on October 1. November is almost confirmed as well with a killer Norwegian act and I'll be sure to fill you in as soon as it's ready for public dissemination. Also, more crucially imminent: Into the Woods, the new band of Sara Wilson (First Floor Power, Kitchen and the Plastic Spoons), has been added to the bill on July 16 with Kajsa Grytt! If you find yourself near Malmö on any of those dates, you know where to go!
Cocteau Twins say nej to Anna Järvinen cover
Anna Järvinen's upcoming album "Anna själv tredje" has been pulled due to the Cocteau Twins disapproving her Swedish-language cover of the cong "Fotzepolitic", which she rechristened as "Hur man lättar helt enkelt". A new digital version of said album will be available on June 22 with the physical edition returning on July 4.
Even when our hearts stop beating, the song goes on and on and on
Theoretical Girl pays tribute to her sometime-duet partner Gustaf Kjellvander with his song "Heaven to me", one of the b-sides from the "Friday on my knees" EP: https://iamtheoreticalgirl.tumblr.com/post/6760593899/gustaf-kjellvander-25-april-1980-18-june-2011
It's still really hard for me to listen to his music, but I'm sure that's how he'd like to be remembered.
Pitchfork reviews Ungdomskulen, interviews Jóhann Jóhannsson
Pitchfork reviews the new Ungdomskulen pseudo-novelty project "Gimme ten": https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15554-gimme-ten/
Also at Pfork today, an "Guest List" interview with Icelandic artist Jóhann Jóhannsson: https://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/7985-johann-johannsson/
Pettersson & Fredriksson say name your price!
The excellent Swedish folk duo Pettersson & Fredriksson are giving away their album "Sotali" as a pay-what-you-want deal: https://petfred.bandcamp.com/album/sotali
At the very least you should check out the album stream because it really is quite good!
Behind the Wall of Sleep vs. The Skull Defekts
Behind the Wall of Sleep interviews Joachim Nordwall about The Skull Defekts: https://behindthewallofsleep.com/2011/06/06/the-skull-defekts/
Masquer - Happiness (video)
PSL has the premiere of Masquer's new video "Happiness": https://psl.svt.se/psl/2011/06/21/videopremiar-masquer-happiness/
Problems - Snake oil
New raging hardcore outta Oslo. Look for Problems' new tape to be released this summer.