NonExist has confirmed the departure of vocalist Johan Liiva (Hearse, ex-Arch Enemy) leaving only guitarist Johan Reinholdz as the sole member of the band. Liiva decided he wished to concentrate his time on his other band Hearse and there are no hard feelings between the guys. Drummer Matte Modin (Dark Funeral, Defleshed) left recently citing that he too would need more time to concentrate on his other projects. But has that slowed the band? Of course not! Reinholdz is still writing material that he says is "slower, heavier and a bit more melodic" than the group's previous work, but is, of course, "still brutal." He will begin working on the new album at his home studio shortly and is currently seeking a replacement vocalist. Interested parties should contact johanreinholdz@hotmail.com.
Marduk did a surprise reunion with former vocalist Joakim Göthberg during their set at the Party.San Open Air festival in Germany this last Saturday. The singer joined the band and current vocalist Legion for the song "The Black" and the event was captured on film for possible inclusion on the band's upcoming DVD "Funeral Marches And Warsongs", due out in November.
Finnish electronic artist O Samuli A will be performing a free show at Cafe Svaj in Stockholm on August 15th at 15:00 local time. Those of you who can't make it in person can listen to the live webcast here:
Server 1: svaj.mine.nu/svaj_live.mp3
Server 2: svaj.mine.nu/svaj_live.ogg
Server 3: shine.erased.org:8000/svaj_live.mp3
In other news, check out a new mp3 of the track "Potunnostolaulu2" over at micromusic.net. And lastly, O Samuli A is also providing the soundtrack for a video installation called "Pienten Asioiden Jaljilla (On the trail of small things)", now available for streaming at beeoff.se. The video was made by a "very mysterious anonymous & anonymous duo" and is part of Beeoff's Exchange2 project. It runs for 30 days, beginning on August 12. Those of you unable to check out Beeoff's studio in Stockholm can also view a webcast of the video from the following locations:
Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland
Museet for Samtidskunst, Rosklilde, Denmark
Humlab, Umeå, Sweden
The Norrbotten County Museum, Haparanda, Sweden
The Jonkoping County Museum, Jonkoping, Sweden
Ex-Immortal drummer Horgh's new band Grimfist has posted a number of sample mp3s online here. The tracks all come from the forthcoming album "Ghouls of Grandeur", due out September 23 on Candlelight Records. Despite the terrible band name, they claim the music "masterfully blends the best of death, black metal and traditional thrash for a crushing wall of immense sound that will leave metal fans gasping and begging for more."
Go here for a bunch of pictures from the recent videoshoot for "First Day Of My Life" from The Rasmus.
The Whyte Seeds say they are working on a new single and video, once again joining forces with the folks from Stylewar.
Finalized Turbonegro dates for Australia:
10/10 - Loudmouth At The Drive, Adelaide
10/11 - Livid Festival, Sydney
10/12 - Livid Festival, Melbourne
10/15 - Corner Hotel, Melbourne
10/16 - University, Newcastle
10/17 - Annandale Hotel, Sydney
10/18 - Livid Festival, Brisbane
Laakso has posted a bunch of pictures from their ongoing recording sessions as they work on their new album.
Acclaimed Norweigan singer/songwriter St. Thomas has holed up "deep down in a valley in Valdres" to work on his fourth record. Joining him are drummer Karim Sayed and bassist/producer Robert Jønnum. He hopes to be done sometime in October for a January release.
David has updated the Ariel Kill Him web diary on his homepage with a list of excuses why you haven't heard from him for awhile. He also details the latest going-ons for AKH and his other band Leiah. Turns out he just finished a new 6-track EP at his home studio and will turning it over to Kasual Records sometime next week for release. No dates yet, but he says the artwork and stuff is done, so I would figure we'll see it by the end of the year. Mikael? Johannes? Can I get a confirmation?
Italian webzine Nixine.org has posted an interview with the Sahara Hotnights.
Peter, Björn and John are heading over to England for a couple shows:
08/22 - Metro, London (19-23 Oxford street)
08/23 - Catch 22, London (Hoxton)
The Fashion's debut album "Rock Rock Kiss Kiss Combo" has been confirmed for a September 15 release. They'll be shooting a video for the first single "Let's Go Dancing" next week and it's already regular rotation on Denmark's P3 radio.
Here's some pictures of Home Groan/Cream of the Crop performing at Øyafestivalen.
P3 Musikjournalen reports that Nina Rochelle's debut album "Om Sverige Vill Ha Det Så" is coming out this fall and features guest appearances from Martin Svensson on guitar and Kent's Markus Mustonen on drums. The first proper single "Taxi 43" is out in September and you should be able to hear the song "Jag öppnar mig för vem som helst" on the radio already.
Rockfoto.nu has updated with a bunch of pics from Göteborgkalaset featuring José Gonzáles, Bear Quartet, Franke, The Sounds, Fireside, Looptroop and Moneybrother.
New bands confirmed for Hovstock: Florence Valentin, Min Pappa Är Starkare Än Kungen, Platitude, Satirnine, Whyte Seeds and Östermalm. The fest takes place August 30 at Huskvarnas Folkets Park in Sweden. More info: www.hovstock.com