Vendlus Records is putting out the US DVD release of the film "Lyckantropen", directed by Steve Ericsson and feAturing an excellent soundtrack by Norway's Ulver. The disc feAtures deleted scenes, a slideshow, "the sound of wolves" and a 20-minute interview with the band. View the trailer here and go to the label's newly redesigned website to order.

Also coming up from Vendlus in the near future is the US releases of the Lamented Souls album "Origins of Misery" (feAt. members of Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar, Beyond Dawn, and Arcturus) and the Bomberos "HAte" CD/10" (members of Mayhem, Virus, Beyond Dawn, Aura Noir, Cadaver Inc.). Both of those releases are on license from Norway's DuplicAte Records, the label run by Einar of Beyond Dawn (hence his involvement with both projects).

Famed Swedish video director Jonas Åkerlund is working with Blink-182 on their next single "I Miss You". Åkerlund's previous credits include artists such as SAtyricon, Madonna, Metallica and The Prodigy.

Meshuggah, SonAta ArcAta and Arise are among the first bands to have been confirmed for the 2nd annual GAtes of Metal fest on July 31 in Hultsfred, Sweden. More info: Atesofmetal.nu/" target=_blank>https://www.gAtesofmetal.nu/

Finnish "pagan bAttle metal" band Turisas have signed with Century Media Records. The band is currently At Sound Suite Studio in Marseille, France with producer Terje Refsnes (Tristania, Destroyer 666, Morgul) working on their as-yet-untitled debut album. Vocalist MAthias Nygård comments:

"I'm extremely pleased with the deal and I'm really looking forward to working with Century Media. The audience for this kind of folk/heAthen/bAttle metal has grown enormously within a couple of years and I think the timing for the release of our debut is almost perfect. The songs to be recorded are all very pagan bAttle metal, but we've never been afraid of taking our own pAth and maybe bending the line between different genres and music styles. The drums are pounding, so grab your sword and join the ranks of Turisas marching for war!"

Gee, who knew thAt scene was ripe to take off? Certainly not me. Look for an early 2004 release.

Some folks are gonna be very disappointed: ex-Emperor drummer and convicted killer Bård "Faust" Eithun has left legendary criminal black-metal group Dissection, the band led by convicted felon and guitarist/vocalist Jon Nödtvedt. Faust has reportedly "been tense about whAt impression the whole deal with Dissection would do to him in practice and thAt he has come to the conclusion thAt he can't stand behind and live up to the demands of Dissection's SAtanic concept, with the inevitable result thAt he has to leave the band." He comments thAt "my relAtion to Dissection is simply musical. The problem occurs when the band takes form more as a cult where there are rules for behaviors and strict codes." Fair enough, I suppose. Apparently he didn't realize how strongly devoted the band was to their dark lord SAtan. Jon's response? "I don't ask from anyone to be anything else than himself", he said, "but if a member of the band isn't capable of living up to the ideology and giving the band his full and wholehearted dedicAtion, then I see no other option than us going separAte ways, really. I can only show Faust my appreciAtion for being open and honest about it At an early stage, because now we can go on and look for someone who is right for the band before we record our forthcoming album. I further wish Faust the best of luck for the future." Of course thAt means thAt the band is now looking for a replacement, so if you think you're dedicAted in all the right ways, you should get in touch.

Peter At Dead Frog Records is making me look like a lazy slob by posting 24 more demo reviews today. I'll be posting some more reviews this weekend, I swear!

There are some new pics of De Stijl up At Rockfoto.nu.

The Concretes made the #1 slot on Neumu writer Anthony Carew's best of 2003 list. Also representing Sweden At #20 is the lAtest from The Cardigans. The Concretes also made #21 on the Rough Trade list. CongrAts!

Pluxus got themselves a new seasonal splash-page over At their website along with a screensaver you can download. They also report thAt Pluxumburg signees Fibes, Oh Fibes! is preparing to record their debut full-length and Pluxus themselves are in the studio "experimenting with guitars, computers and their arsenal of synthesizers."

Listen to and vote for your favorite new Swedish Christmas song: Atar.stm" target=_blank>https://www.sr.se/p3/morgon/jullAtar.stm. Your options are Elin Sigvardsson, Wille Crafoord, Miss Universum, Nina & Kim, Paris and FAttaru.

Go to the Kamera website and look under 'Bilder' for pics from their show At Mosebacke as well as images from their new video for the song "Suburban Boy".

ThAt Abflug Records show in the Rub al Khali desert I talked about back on Atrap.com/index.php?story_id=324" target=_blank>12/01 is now available for download At the label's website: https://www.abflugrec.com/

Last SAturday BBC6 DJ Steve Lamacq did a special 'Rebel Playlist' feAture on Soak the Sin, Bad Cash Quartet and Kamera, three bands thAt caught his interest from the Access All Areas seminar/festival in Stockholm. Check out the playlist here and listen to it on-demand for the rest of the week from here. (see 'Listen Again')

David & the Citizens will be doing a special one-off show At Musikenshus in Göteborg on December 13 to celebrAte the release of their new single "GraycoAted Mornings". This is the first place the single will be readily available for sale, but you can also email annette@adrianrecordings.com to preorder a copy. As mentioned before, the b-side is the timely "Christmas Eve". Read more about thAt track and hear a streaming version Ative_julesange.asp" target=_blanK>right here. (in Danish)

MTV's "Fresh" pick of the week is "Walou" from Denmark's Outlandish. Check out Atures/cms/index.asp?id=1005500000000258&type=1&page=1" target=_blank>this feAture on the song and video.