The Centerfolds - Six feet under
New rock'n'roll from Swedish act The Centerfolds featuring guest vox from Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters/Imperial State Electric. Debut album due out this coming August.
Ditt Inre - Månljus (saknad)
Pitchfork is streaming a new track from Swedish electropop duo Ditt Inre, a new signing to the label : https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13548-manljus-saknad/
Dig & Mig album coming in late May
Danish synthpop/punk act Dig & Mig have announced that their Sune Wagner-produced debut full-length "Sommervarmen" will be released on May 14. Check the band's charming debut single "Skyggerne" right here.
Dreamon - Rise (video)
I think this has got to be the 3rd or 4th kaleidoscope/mirror-image video I've seen this week, had no idea it was a thing all a sudden. Anyhow, Norwegian hip-hop still has a ways to go to my hears, but the production here is decent.
PopMatters reviews Ane Brun
PopMatters gives a middling review to the latest Ane Brun record "It all starts with one": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/156587-ane-brun-it-all-starts-with-one/
Paper back to Germany
Paper will be heading back to Germany for a few shows in just a couple weeks:
05/15 - KULLUKCU, Münich
05/16 - Privatclub, Berlin
05/17 - Molotow Bar, Hamburg
Nordagust
In the mist of morning
Karisma Records
Heaps upon heaps of mellotron combined with heavy prog rock guitars and emotional vocals ensure that this debut by the Norwegian six piece is firmly ensconced in the retro catalogue. This is proggy folk rock at its most haunting and with an eerie cinematic feel in its instrumental passages that would sit well in any psychological horror. The "out in nature" aspect of this album with its extensive use of field recordings works in places but fails in others -- such as in the pot-of-boiling-potatoes of "In the woods". A lot of the music itself is quite reminiscent of the likes of fellow countrymen Arcturus or Enslaved with the heavier guitar parts very like the stoned tree-hugging brother of the former's "Sideshow symphonies". To hear that style in such a different setting is refreshing for someone who is familiar with any of Arcturus' material and, likewise, prog fans who enjoy "In the mist of morning" could do worse than check out "Sideshow...". The only problem is that once the comparison is in there, that's all you can hear. On the whole, however, this is one stormer of a debut that stands up well alongside classic releases from the famed Swedish bands of yesteryear such as Anekdoten and Änglagård.
- John Norby
Illberg - Home
Check out some dramatic powerpop from Gotland-based act Illberg.
Millencolin - Carry you
Expressen has the premiere of the brand new Millencolin track "Carry you": https://www.expressen.se/noje/musik/varldspremiar-lyssna-pa-millencolins-nya-lat/
RA.309: Svarte Greiner
Check out a podcast mix and interview with Norwegian experimental/electronic artist Erik K Skodvin (Svarte Greiner/Deaf Center) over at Resident Advisor: https://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast-episode.aspx?id=309
300ad - WOK01 preview
Scandinavian/international experimental music blog/collective recently put out a 3-way split featuring music from dark ambient/darkwave acts Natassja, Sharku and Agen. This is a preview, more info here.
Desperat - Läggdags för mänskligheten
Fresh mangel from Desperat off their upcoming 7" "Början på slutet", due out late May/early June via . Also on the way, a split 12" with Deathraid and the band's much-anticipated full-length debut LP which will be out this fall.
Islets of Dust - More life
Islets of Dust = ex-Under Byen founder Katrine Stochholm + Kasper Staub. The duo's debut mini-album "People and birds" will be released on May 7.
RIP Thomas Mera Gartz (Träd, Gräs och Stenar, Bitter Funeral Beer Band)
Swedish drummer/artist Thomas Mera Gartz, a man probably best known for his work with pioneering psych/progg act Träd, Gräs och Stenar, passed away this weekend at the age of 68. pays tribute: https://www.countryandeastern.se/?p=2863
Håll Käften, Vad Vill Du!? - Mörkrets tid
So says Håll Käften, Vad Vill Du!?: Today is International Worker's Day, so what better way is there to celebrate than to release a new song about bullshit politicians!?