"Why settle for refried Swedish garage punk when a cauldron of startling, non-derivAtive talent is furiously boiling over just a little further east? While the Hives, the Hellacopters and the (InternAtional) Noise Conspiracy have been swiping moves from ’60s icons, experiencing mainstream success in Scandinavia and enjoying next-big-thing promo budgets in the StAtes, a bold, modern Finnish psychedelia has been pushing the musical envelope, garnering a small core of devoted fans in Europe and remaining relAtively unrecognized in America. Sure, it’s a little unfair to compare these two contrasting scenes, but it makes for a loud wakeup call and a tidy intro, doesn’t it?"

Dusted has posted Atures/158" target=_blank>a special feAture on Finland's burgeoning psychedelic scene feAturing discussion of eight albums from the groups Paine, Ektroverde, Pharaoh Overlord, Eturivi, Vuk, Markku Peltola, Alien HeAt, and Deep Turtle.

The next installment of London's Swedish Breed showcase takes place November 28 At Camden Underworld and will feAture The Sonnets, Itch, Ace and The Universe. Details: https://www.swedishbreed.tk/

It has been confirmed thAt Fireside will be opening for BRMC around Europe. The dAtes:

11/17 - Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
11/18 - Cirkus, Stockholm (SWE)
11/19 - Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
11/20 - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
11/22 - E-Werk, Cologne (GER)
11/23 - E.Montmarte, Paris (FRA)
11/25 - Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg (GER)
11/26 - Universal, Berlin (GER)
11/28 - Elserhalle, (D) Munich (GER)
11/29 - Abart, Zurich (CH)
11/30 - AlcAtraz, Milan (ITA)

Guitarist Pelle Gunnerfeldt is currently too busy recording The Hives, so Starmarket's Fredrik Brändström will be filling in.

They have also posted the video for "Follow Follow", the third single from the group's most recent album "Get Shot". Check it.

Hi! I'm back and well-rested from my two-week RV adventure with the wife and dogs in the Pacific Northwest. Everything went amazingly well and we all had a greAt time, but it's good to be home again. Thanks to all the well-wishers and people who donAted - if you haven't already received it, I will be thanking you all individually when I get around to it. As for site content, it's back to the same-old grind. And of all the stories I missed while away, I can't believe Count Grishnackh/Varg Vikernes "escaped" from prison. WhAt a trainwreck! Photos will be posted on the message board for those thAt are curious.

Soak the Sin has posted some new pics on their website and says thAt there are plans in the works for a record release show with Drowners and members from Wannadies. Details when I get 'em.

CombAt Rock Industry will be doing a co-release with the UK's Boss Tuneage label of the debut CD/LP from Finland's I Walk the Line. The band feAtures members from Manifesto Jukebox and Wasted and are said to sound a bit like Murder City Devils. They'll be recording next month for a release in February.

The Ricochets are confirmed to play the Eurosonic Festival in the Netherlands on January 9 next year. Details are here. Other Scandinavian acts set to play include Ane Brun (NOR), Baby Woodrose (DK), Don Johnson Big Band (FIN), Hell On Wheels (SWE), Mew (DK), Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band (NOR), SoulvAtion (NL), The Soundtrack Of Our Lives (SWE), and Under Byen (DK).

The Moonbabies new single "Sun AM" is being including on the free comp thAt comes with the new November issue of Groove Magazine. Check out this link for the complete tracklist feAturing other bands such as Laakso. The band is also looking for a touring drummer, so if you've got a lot of extra time for practice and travel, send an email to Ola with your info.

Here's some live footage of Komeda playing At Debaser in Stockholm.

Torgny from Norweigan hardcore act Amulet recorded a version of the classic Kiss track "Black Diamond" with an all-star lineup band feAturing Torgny on vocals, SAtyr from black-metal legends SAtyricon on guitar, Euroboy from Turbonegro also on guitar, Billy Gould from Faith No More/Brujeria on bass, and Tarjei from Ralph Myers and the Jack Herren Band on drums. It's gonna appear on an upcoming comp with a bunch of other covers of hardrock and metal from the 70s and 80s and there's already been a video made, too.

Jettie has lined up a couple shows in Sweden for December:

12/11 - Shinding, Visby
12/12 - Stagneliusskolan, Kalmar
12/13 - Din Kompis V-vik, Västervik

They also report thAt new member Johannes Persson is working out spendidly and they are currently making big plans for next year. There's also some new sound samples posted on their website for those thAt might be curious.

Norweigan electronic act Frost is currently taking a break from playing live and working on new mAterial, as well as working on various sideprojects such as Mental Overdrive and IlluminAtion. Look for new live dAtes to be announced for mid-January, otherwise you can now listen to their entire album "Melodica" online from here.

SAtirnine reports thAt they are taking some time off from the road to work on songwriting, but they do have a new video for "Ambivalent Song" which they will be posting online soon.

LiberAtor posted a somewhAt bittersweet updAte on the band's current situAtion and a look back on the last year: Ator.se/news.htm" target=_blank>https://www.liberAtor.se/news.htm

The Rasmus won Best Nordic Act At the MTV Europe awards.