There's been so many new bands announced for Malmöfestivalen I don't even want to bother listing them all. Go here for the latest updated list.
Stockholm-based hardcore band Between Us has signed with Burning Heart Records. They'll be recording their debut MCD for the label in September and it should be out sometime before the end of the year. In the meantime, here's a couple mp3s to sample: "All that I missed" / "Thaw"
Also from Burning Heart comes the news that Division of Laura Lee is planning on entering the studio soon to record their next record. They hope to have it out sometime early next year.
Bombshell Rocks recently confirmed the departure of vocalist Mårten Cedegran. Now guitarist Crippe Mätää will taking over the mic instead and can be seen fronting the band on upcoming Heart Attack tour dates in Sweden. The band is also welcoming back original bassist Mini as he has recently rejoined the group.
The latest MIC Listen to Norway profile is on Hardanger fiddle player Per Anders Buen Garnås. Check it out.
Swedish power-metallers Hammerfall have announced that they have been invited to appear on the game show 'Fångarna' (formerly 'Fångarna På Fortet'). The details, straight from the band:
"For those who don’t know what this is, the contest takes place at Fort Boyard in France, which probably helps a lot of you Europeans in understanding what this is; I’m sure the show has been produced with the same format for many different countries. We will be competing against 23 other teams, some of which are very interesting, indeed: imaging facing (the rules have changed slightly for this season, as two teams now go head-to-head and only the winner gets to collect the golden doublons) four people from the Olympic ice-hockey champion team of ’94. Or why not four members of the fantastic football World Cup bronze medalists of that same, glorious year? Then we have the national swim team, the Gladiators, a team from the national ice-hockey league, teams with musicians and other shows on TV (like Big Brother, Expedition: Robinson etc). Whichever team we end up facing, I just know it will be a blast. This is something I have been dreaming about forever, being a part of one of these semi-athletic game shows, and I couldn’t be prouder or happier to be asked. It is an honour to be a part of this, especially considering the caliber of (most) of the other teams. Our episode is being shot next week, and we don’t find out who our opponents are until we’re on the plane to France."
In other news, the band's next show will be at the Spanish resort town of Palma de Mallorca in Spain on August 2. The rest of the band's summer festival dates:
08.11 - Göteborgskalaset, Göteborg, Sweden
08/21 - Malmöfestivalen, Malmö, Sweden
08/30 - Bloodstock Metalfest, Derby, UK
"Trampoline", the latest album from Sweden's The Confusions, has been released in Japan by 1977 Records imprint Egging. Go here for samples and more info.
NME reports that Turbonegro will be putting on an exclusive 'secret' Thames river boat party on August 20 that will feature a live appearance from the band along with DJs and guest appearances from Seaman Stains and Roger The Cabin Boy. Read more.
Also from Turbonegro, by way of Epitaph Records, comes the new video for "Sell Your Body (to the Night)". Check it: high / low
"Their music and Teemu's singing made me think perhaps of someone like Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Beloved or Momus; very "British-sounding", slightly melancholic but still dance pop, with songs of bittersweet and a bit sardonic lyrics such as "Give Me Love Or A Brand New Car" and "Helsinki Blondes".
That's an excerpt from the intro of an interview posted on pHinnWeb with half-Finnish/half-UK based electronic act Roger. Read more: https://www.phinnweb.com/5HT/interviews/roger/
Smalltown Supersound artist Jazzkammer won an Award of Distinction at Prix Ars Electronica for their production and contributions on the album "Voice" by Maja Ratkje, out on Rune Grammofon.
Dusted Magazine reviews Jaga Jazzist - "The Stix".
While they may hint at the passing hipness of Swedish psychedelic folk, the latest Aquarius Records New Arrivals list does cover a ton of great music including the newest one from Finland's Skepticism.
Delusions of Adequacy has posted a completely gushing review of "Ascend to the Stars", the latest album from Last Days of April which finally got a release in the US recently.
My friends over at Indieworkshop.com have posted some mp3s from Norweigan artists William Hut and Poor Rich Ones. Check 'em out.
Voidfaith Netzine has posted an interview with rising star José González. (in Swedish)