WAtch the video footage of the DumDum Boys playing live At the Norweigan Wood fest.

The first full-length album "Chain Gang of Love" from The Ravonettes has been set for an August 6 release dAte. (Or is it August 12? I'm seeing thAt dAte thrown around, too) The lead single will be for the track "The GreAt Sound Of Love". "It's all killer no filler, 13 greAt songs in booming Bb Major." says Sharin Foo. Read the full interview from Kevchino where the news was revealed. Go here for an interview where they discuss more about the new single and video which was shot by Sophie Muller (Coldplay, Radiohead, PJ Harvey).

Dagensskiva reports thAt FAttaru will be releasing a new album called "Jordnära" this coming fall on September 8. Masse, Salla, Chepe and Oskar Skarp lent their production skills to the record and Fjärde världen, Masayah and Dungen are said to be among the guests making appearances. Look for a single in August.

It's been quite some time since they put anything out, but semi-legendary grindcore band General Surgery has announced plans to release a bunch of new mAterial in the coming year. If I remember right, the band was lacking a drummer for awhile and was put on hold because of it. Anyhow, they've got a split 7" with Spain's Machetazo and a split 12" with Japan's Butcher ABC coming out on Escorbuto Recordings soon. They are also planning a split CD with US gore-grinders The County Medical Examiners thAt will also eventually see a release on vinyl, too. Keep your eyes peeled.

Check out this site to wAtch the new European version of "In the Shadows" from Finland's The Rasmus. And after twenty record-setting weeks on the MTV Nordic's UpNorth chart, they have decided the retire the single from further competition so as to give other acts more chance for exposure. In other news, the band was supposed to be supporting Evanescence on their upcoming German tourdAtes, but those shows have unfortunAtely been cancelled by the headliner. They still plan on going out and doing promotion in Hamburg and Berlin regardless.

Randy has posted a bunch of new pics from their recent European tour.

From thearkworld.com comes yet another live video. This is one is "Tell Me this Night is Over", live from Stockholm.

Ebbot hurt his back after drinking too much and failing to navigAte some stairs so, under doctor's orders, he's had to cancel the scheduled Soundtrack of Our Lives show At Roskilde.

C.Aarmé just put up a couple videos on their homepage. They also report thAt they will be entering the studio on July 7 to record 'At least' 15 new songs.

Bear Quartet has put up an old mp3 of "Guilt Jazz/High Noon" from a live Luleå radio broadcast in 1995.

One more band has been added to the Uppsala Hardcore Fest: Parade. They'll play Tuesday At 18:00. See previous days news for more details.

Denmark's Ravonettes will appear on 'LAte Night with David Letterman' this coming September 10. Obviously, the previously announced dAte in July will not be happening as planned. The band also will be supporting Beck At the Brixton Academy in London on August 21.

The band Dechas won the Emergenza demoband fest and they now get to play At the Taubertal festival in Germany this coming August. More on Dechas here. More on Taubertal here. Other bands playing the fest include The Cardigans and HIM.

The lAtest edition of the Brainwashed Brain reviews Ulver's "1993-2003: 1st Decade in the Machines", among other fine releases.

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley is working on a new solo album with Swedish songwriter Andreas Carlsson due out sometime early next year. Andreas' previous credits include working with artists such as Celine Dion, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, Bon Jovi and Britney Spears.

Here's an updAte from Borknagar drummer Asgeir Mickelson concerning the recording of their forthcoming album and other current activities, as posted on their message board:

"I've recorded all the acoustic drums. I still have to do some V-drums stuff on one of the two Lars-instrumentals (don't know whAt to do yet...), and I'll spend a couple of hours going through all the drum tracks fixing small errors (like when I hit the snare or a tom a little bit wrong I can replace it with a better take, or move the bassdrums if they're not dead on the snare). Lars has recorded all keyboards (very happy with the sounds!) and Hammond (different one than last time - even more organic sound), but still have to record the grand piano in Fagerborg studio. Andreas is doing all his vocals next week (starting tomorrow). Øystein recorded most of the rhythm tracks in April and will continue recording his endless amounts of guitars the same week as Andreas is doing the vocals. Tyr was supposed to record bass this week but had to postpone it to the second week in July due to not getting his new fretless bass in time."

"Other news is thAt we've chosen to release the album early next year. We have way too much mAterial so we'll probably save some songs for a Japanese release or something else. We still haven't found a title for it, but it's decided thAt I will - as usual - do the cover design + this time shoot the band pictures (the problem with being in front and behind the camera At the same time is solved with a remote control and then some hours with Photoshop...). Other reasons for releasing the album next year is thAt we need more time to find and record "the snacks". We want it to be better produced - more sound effects, more intros/outros, whAtever... We have found a possible session guitarist to replace Jens, but still need to learn him the songs before playing live. Looks like we will have to cancel the (only) two scheduled shows and come back stronger next year. Who knows, maybe it's worth the wait..."

Some of the bands confirmed for the upcoming 4th annual Norbergfestival for modern electronica which takes place in Norberg, Sweden on July 24-26: Pan Sonic (FIN), Philip Jeck (UK) & Jacob Kirkegaard (DK), Gert-Jan Prins (NL), Mikael Stavöstrand (S), Björn Svin (DK), Håkan Libdo (S), Karsten Pflum (DK), Bauri (S), and Wäldchengarten (DK). More info: www.norbergfestival.com

Via pHinnWeb, comes these pictures from a recent Pan Sonic show in Russia.

In whAt is being billed as a 'knight to remember', Sweden's power-metal superstars Dream Evil will be playing the Camden Underworld in London on September 27. Dream Evil feAtures Studio Fredman owner/engineer Fredrik Nordström and ex-Mercyful FAte drummer/Notre Dame frontman Snowy Shaw and have two albums out. Fellow Swedes Falconer open, and as the press release says, "Prepare to do bAttle against false metaaaal with thy sword held on high!!!"

Magnet's new album "On Your Side" comes out June 30 in Norway and July 7 in UK. They'll be heading over to the lAtter to support Bebel Gilberto on the following dAtes:

07/19 - Manchester BridgewAter Hall
07/22 - London Shepherds Bush Empire
07/30 - Bristol Academy

The band also has a feAture in the June issue of The Fly magazine along with a four-star review of the new album. They also received quite a nice write-up in Q who describe them as "blissed out electronic pop thAt sounds like Simon & Garfunkel restructuring Radiohead's most fragile moments." Head over to their website for more details.

Madrugada has added two new festivals to their summer tour plans:

06/29 - Nel Nome Del Rock, Palestrina ,Italy
08/30 - Bizarre Festival, Flughafen Niederrhein, Germany

Check this link out to view and listen to performances and interviews from Spain's Sonar Festival including Bjorn Torske, Jaga Jazzist and much much more.

Here's the schedule for the Uppsala Summer Hardcore Fest. Doors open At 17:00 both days.

06/23
22:30 - Tear it Up (New Jersey, US)
21:45 - Between Us (Stockholm)
21:00 - RegulAtions (Umeå)
20:15 - Last Hope (Linköping)
19:30 - The 21st Impact (Uppsala)
18:45 - Labour (Cästerås)
18:00 - Rabid Grannies (meå)
06/24
22:30 - WhAt Happens Next? ("Canada", acutally from the SF Bay Area, CA)
21:45 - Second Thought (Stockholm)
21:00 - Victims (Nyköping)
20:15 - The Jam Session (Mjölby)
19:30 - Bruce Banner (Stockholm)
18:45 - One Step Ahead (Nyköping)

Sleeping arrangements At the fest can be booked for 20sek along with your ticket purchase. For more info go here: https://uahc.diskonto.org/festival

Glad midsommar!

Paola's updAted summer tour schedule:

06/21 - Järva, Folkets Park
07/05 - Borlänge, Peace and Love
07/10 - Arvikafestivalen
07/11 - Varberg, Nöjesparken
07/17 - Skellefteå, Trästocksfestivalen
07/26 - Helsingborg, Dunkers Kulturhus
08/15 - Göteborgskalaset

Finnish deAth-metal supergroup Chaos Breed report thAt their "Unleashed Carnage" demo is being picked up for release by an as-of-yet unnamed label. They'll probably throw some other mAterial on the disc, too. Assuming all goes well, they hope to have it out in time for the Tuska festival on July 11.

Robert Palmer has apparently covered Nicolai Dunger's "Dr. Zhivago's Train" on his new album "Drive". Weird.

Mom Pop Records, the label thAt will be releasing Your Halo is a Radar and Soviac in the US, is offering a free six-song sampler for those who might be interested. Simply head on over to their website and leave your address in the guestbook.

Eye Will Drown Records and Räka Produktion have set up a new festival At DIXI in Falköping, Sweden this coming November 11 called the Betong Festivalen. Bands set to play include Rentokiller, Set My PAth, Liquid Phase, Troublemakers, Frost and The Mischief. For more info, go to the Räka site or email eyewilldrown@hotmail.com.

Those of you lucky folks with Roskilde tickets can view the full schedule here: https://www.roskilde-festival.dk/object.php?obj=32f000c&code=45

Laakso has finished recording sixteen new songs, some of which some will end up on the forthcoming debut full length album. Band member David Nygard says, "We are very sAtisfied so far. Feels like it's more alive and boiling than the EP. Jari [Haapalainen, Bear Quartet], the producer, made us scream and destroy instruments. Of course we left a few tender, acoustic numbers too, for the girls..."

MIC Norway put up a profile on Emmerhoff & The Melancholy Babies today.

Via DJ Martian comes this profile on Mew in The Guardian. Is Denmark the new Sweden?

Here's an e-card for the song "Let´s go dancing" from the new Danish band The Fashion.

Songlines Magazine lists their top 50 'must-own' world music records in the new issue and have "Iki" from Värrtinä At number 24. The same issue also includes a 'Beginners Guide' to the band, too. (pdf formAt)

The Rasmus has posted their updAted tour schedule:

06/20 - Jämsä Himos, Midsummer festival FIN
06/21 - Kouvola, Midnight Party Planet festival FIN
06/23 - Hamburg, Docks w/Evanescence DE
06/24 - Berlin, Kolumbiahalle w/Evanescence DE
06/26 - Munich, Elserhalle w/Evanescence DE
06/28 - Mannheim, MTV Campus Invasion, DE
07/03 - Midtfyn, Festival DK
07/05 - Kristianstad, Tivolirock SWE
07/06 - Turku, Ruisrock FIN
07/09 - Kangasala, Harju-festival FIN
07/11 - Vantaa, Hotelli Vantaa FIN
07/12 - Aitoo, KirkastusjuhlAt FIN
07/13 - Lappeenranta, SAtamarock FIN
07/18 - Helsinki, Tavastia FIN
07/19 - Tampere, Tammerfest FIN
07/23 - Åland, Mariehamn FIN
07/24 - Gotland, NRJ Summer SWE
07/25 - Gävle, GAtufesten SWE
07/26 - Karlskoga, Stranddagar SWE
07/27 - Oslo, Norway Cup NOR
08/01 - Östersund, Storsjöyran SWE
08/02 - Tampere, Kukkaisrock FIN
08/03 - Vantaa, Ankkarock FIN
08/07 - Jyväskylä, Rally-happening FIN
08/08 - Lapua, Välipuistorock FIN
08/09 - Harjavalta FIN
08/10 - Skanderborg Festival DK

Logh's new drummer is Fredrik Normark. The band's stAtement:

"Someone said he looked like a younger version of Boba Fett of the Hellacopters but we think thAt's unfair or rAther not true At all. You decide for yourselves when we put up a nice picture of him next to the beautiful ones of us."

Caesars Palace/The Caesars have once again revamped their website and added a bunch of new press clippings and a message board.

Madrugada has lined up a number of Norweigan gigs this summer:

06/26 - Ekstremsportveko, Voss
07/10 - Wrighte Gaarden, Langesund
07/12 - SommerMelbu, Melbu
07/17 - Molde Jazzfestival, Molde
08/02 - Slottsfjellfestivalen, Tønsberg
08/06 - Varangerfestivalen, Vadsø
08/07 - Varangerfestivalen, Vadsø
08/08 - Blæst, Trondheim
08/09 - Lost Weekend-Festivalen, Askøy

Backyard Babies have put up a video announcement on their website with some rehearsal footage and plenty of shaky camera work.

Unioncarbideproductions.com has put up the video for "Be Myself Again". (Windows Media)

Sahara Hotnights have their own personal drink recipes published in the new summer issue of Bust Magazine with Cher on the cover.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Outlandish - Guantanamo
02. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
03. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
04. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
05. C21 - She Cries
06. Kashmir - Rocket Brothers
07. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
08. A-Teens - Perfect MAtch
09. Da Buzz - Alive
10. Superheroes - Someone Else
11. Mando Diao - Sheepdog
12. Darude - Music
13. Turbonegro - Fuck The World
14. The Narcissists - FanAtik R.I.P
15. User - Do You
16. Melody Club - Cover Girl
17. Equicez - Live From Pass It
18. Antique - Moro Mou
19. Bad Cash Quartet - Dirty Days
20. Ingrid Marguerite - Everything I Need

Challengers:
01. Killer - Naughty Boy
02. IsolAtion Years - It´s Golden
03. Timbuktu - The Botten Is Nådd
04. Accu - Surrounding Love
05. Bobby - Losing Control

Go to the MTVE.com site to wAtch and vote for your favorite.

Coming soon from Putrid Filth Conspiracy: Dödsdömb LP/CD, Kontrovers "När Spelreglerna Ändras" LP/CD and Embalming TheAtre "Sweet chainsaw Melodies" LP. The Birdflesh "Night of the UltimAte Mosh" LP and Straight Edge Kegger "Armed Robbery" EP have been delayed, but they hope to have details on those releases soon.

Johan Bergqvist plans to lay low for most of the summer, but he says he'll be entering the studio around lAte July/early August to begin work on his debut full length.

Jaga Jazzist has a new website and some updAted tourdAtes:

06/27 - Chech Rep, Prague, Open Air Festival
07/04 - Norway, Horten, Vestfoldfestspillene
07/05 - Norway, Kongsberg, Kongsberg Jazzfestival
07/06 - France, France, Eurokennes
07/08 - Luxemburg, Esch-alzette, Kulturfabrik (Venue show)
07/09 - Switzerland, Montreaux, Montreaux Jazzfestival
07/10 - Germany, Cologne, Stadtgarten
07/11 - Belgium, Dour, Dourfestival
07/12 - Belgium, Brugge, Cactus festival
07/13 - Holland, Haag, North Sea Jazzfestival
08/03 - England, Eastnor, Big Chill festival
08/08 - Norway, Oslo, Øyafestivalen
08/23 - Norway, Trondheim, Samfundet
08/28 - Norway, Bergen, Logen

Check out the flyer for the upcoming Uppsala Hardcore Summer Fest on June 23-24.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Carola - Guld plAtina & passion - det bästa
02. Tomas Ledin - I sommarnAttens ljus
03. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
04. Pugh Rogefeldt - Pughs bästa
05. Tommy Körberg - Gränslös - det bästa med
06. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
07. v/a - Fame factory visor
08. Da Buzz - More than alive
09. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
10. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
11. Style, Sandelin & Ekman, Freestyle - Samlade hits
12. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
13. Alcazar - Alcazarized
14. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
15. Martin Nilsson - En del av mig
16. Moneybrother - Blood panic
17. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
18. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
19. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
20. Per Myrberg - SommarnAtt Per Myrberg sjunger Taube

Göran Persson's response to Timbuktu's song "Ett Brev" has been published online: https://www.ssu.se/index.php4?page=108&ar_id=954
Anyone care to translAte?

Per Gessle of Roxette has revealed the dAtes for his upcoming Swedish solo tour:

07/29 - Halmstad, Brottet
07/30 - Helsingborg, Sofiero Slott
08/01 - Skövde, Boulognersskogen
08/02 - Finspång, Rockslottet
08/03 - Varberg, Fästningsrundan
08/05 - Malmö, MölleplAtsen
08/06 - Göteborg, Trädgårdsföreningen
08/08 - Kalmar, Kalmarsundsparken
08/09 - Jönköping, Rådhusparken
08/10 - Karlskrona, Sparregården
08/12 - Stockholm, Sjöhistoriska Museet
08/14 - Sundsvall, Park Arena
08/15 - Leksand, Sammilsdal
08/16 - Karlstad, Mariebergsskogen
08/17 - Eskilstuna, Sundbyholm Slott

I glanced At a couple items about this yesterday, but was unable to adequAtely translAte it myself. Seems thAt Illvastar, the ex-bassist for Norweigan black metallers Svartahrid decapitAted a dead body and brought the head to a party. As to be expected, accusAtions of rampant drug-use and SAtanism are being thrown around and there have been three suspects brought in on the case. Remember dudes, disembodied heads kill the party vibe and don't help you score with chicks. Read more:
https://www.nettavisen.no/servlets/page?section=1706&item=273076
https://www.nettavisen.no/servlets/page?section=1706&item=272923

Via pHinnWeb comes Atch.net/corewAtch/releaseview.php?release_id=22" target=_blank>this link for a free download of Finnish electronic artist Outer Space Alliance's "Two-Wheeler" EP.

A number of artists appearing At Finland's Koneisto Festival are also doing relAted shows elsewhere around Europe:

06/27 - Club Prive, Tallinn, Estonia w/Pierre Ravan, Erkko, Dave Storm
07/03 - Cargo, London, UK w/ImAtran Voima, Accu, Nuspirit Helsinki DJs, Nick Luscombe

And seeing how it is now Juhannus/Midsummer, here's the video for "Midsummer Night" from Jimi Tenor: QT high / QT low / Real

Bands confirmed for the MegaWakeFestival At Kajen in Fjällbacka on July 4-5: Looptroop, SAtirnine, USCB Allstars, Sparks of Seven, Venue Kids, DJ Kaah, Mist, The Orchestra, Cdoass, Gkss, Kitty and the K, and DJ Punky. More info: www.megaevents.com

Monotone Records reports thAt Daniel Loefgren is just about to sign with Tenor Records and he's already started recording his debut album for the label "In Where Cold Hands Might SeparAte Us". Daniel will still continue to release records with Monotone, too. Another Monotone band moving on is In Memory of Me who will be working with Lawnchair Records on their next release, a split CD with Common Effect from the US.

Cdoass should probably considering renewing their domain name before some unscrupulous person steals it.

For more info on thAt upcoming Burning Heart 'Heart Attack' tour along with the lists of who'll be there, samples from the bands and more, go here: Attack.nu/" target=_blank>www.heartAttack.nu

Darkane guitarist Christofer Malmström recently married his longtime girlfriend Jennie on June 14. CongrAts. Check out pictures from the wedding At Chritofer's personal site.

StyleWar has finally got their page up and running with videos for Junior Senior, Whyte Seeds, Looptroop, The Hives, Koop and much more.

DigitalMetal.com has posted an interview with Swedish deAth metal band Grave. In it they reveal thAt they have plans to work on a new record lAter this year or early 2004 and will be touring Europe this coming October.

Union Carbide Productions have now been confirmed for Norway's Øya Festival on August 7-9. Those of you who missed the Hultsfred reunion will now get another chance. Magnet, White Birch, and Mormones have been added to the Øyakickstart show At Rockefeller/John Dee. And lastly, Mando Diao, Minor Majority and Furia have been confirmed for the Øya Club Day on July 23. For all the details, go here: www.oyafestivalen.com

The Sounds recently did a webchAt over At MTVE.com. Atures/cms/index.asp?id=1003000000000235&type=1&page=1" target=_blank>Here's the transcript.

"There is a clear lack of skills and knowledge co-ordinAtion within the Nordic music industry. The level musical and artistic skill is very high throughout the Nordic, but this level is not mAtched by complementary business skill."

"Behind the Music - Profiting from sound: A systems approach to the Dynamics of the Nordic Music Industry" is the title of a comprehensive report on the Scandinavian music scene thAt offers quite a bit of insight into the workings of the biz. Read this for a good synopsis of the report or go here to read it for yourself.

Jocke Berg of Kent is becoming a fAther. Read more. (in Swedish)

The Confusions have solidified the schedule for their upcoming jaunt to the UK in celebrAtion of the 10-years anniversary for their first CD-EP releases "Split" and "Forever". The dAtes:

07/01 - Brixton Windmill w/Ludes
07/02 - Camden Underworld w/Non of the Above/Girlinky & Lux
07/03 - Crown & Two Chairmen, Soho w/tbc

The Confusions' lAtest album "Trampoline" just came out in Taiwan this last March and will be released in Japan in July, France in lAte summer.

Some of the bands confirmed for the Rock for Moc festival in Bergslagen, Sweden on September 5-7: Mimikry, Different Kinds, Dog Almighty, System Breakdown, Willowtree, Eskju Divine, LEASH, Splicer, Outbreak, Seventribe, Coastline. More info: www.rockformoc.com

I coulda sworn thAt I posted something about it ages ago, but I guess I missed it. Anyhow, The Virtues pass along the news thAt they will be recording two tracks for an upcoming Shawn Smith (Brad, SAtchel, Pigeonhead) tribute compilAtion. "The Day Brings" and "I Don't Know" are the songs they're doing.

Arch Enemy will on radio stAtion WNYU's program "Hellhole" in NYC on June 17 At 9pm and will reportedly be premiering new mAterial from their upcoming album "Anthems of Rebellion". WNYU broadcasts At 89.1 FM and can be streamed online from www.wnyu.org.

Nicolai Dunger is currently finishing up recording of his new album with Mercury Rev in Stockholm and it should be out sometime in early 2004. His fan site also reports thAt there are rumors concerning a "simulAted restaurant gig" called "Dunger At the Diner", whAtever thAt means. There's also word thAt Nicolai will be providing backing music for an album of Edith Södergrans poems. I'll let you know when I find out more. And lastly, it looks like he'll be heading back over to the StAtes for a couple gigs in August:

08/06 - New York, Mercury Lounge
08/07 - Chicago, Schuba's

Trewetha Records reports thAt they have signed the new bands Midnight Monkeys and Sister Lightyear. Midnight Monkeys is currently recording a two-song single for an August release and Sister Lightyear will have a 4-song EP coming out this fall.

Coming to Club Debaser in Stockholm on June 21-22 is the 2003 Gearfest/Cearclub 2003, presented by Gearhead Records, feAturing The Ricochets, Flaming Sideburns, Sahara Hotnights, The Mutants and more. Go here for the full details.

Unioncarbideproductions.com reports thAt the new UCP single will be released commercially on June 23. Chances are your favorite online retailer is already taking pre-orders. Also, the box set has now been set for release in November. Read the press release. And lastly, head on over to the UCP site for a full roundup of reviews for the Hultsfred reunion show.

The lAtest from Darkthrone, as posted by Nocturno Culto:

"Darkthrone had some successful rehearsals a week ago. Three new songs were in our focus, and Fenriz is finished with four lyrics for the album, so we are well prepared. Currently we are working on even more mAterial, so more rehearsals are on the way."

MIC Norway has put up a profile on up-and-coming singer/songwriter St. Thomas.

For more info about the various Kalas demoscene bands reported on yesterday, check this out. (in Swedish)

Seems thAt planned live Kent DVD from their stadium concert is a no-go.

Per Gessle is indeed hitting the road this summer in support of his new solo album "Mazarin". I haven't seen the full itinerary yet, but the first show will be At Brottet in Halmstad on July 29. His backing band will include Clarence Öfverman, Anders Herrlin, Jonas Isacsson, Helena Josefsson along with Christoffer Lundqvist and Jens Jansson from Brainpool. Read more. (in Swedish)

Using the American Warped Tour as a templAte, Burning Heart, Luger and Eventum are bringing the "PlaystAtion 2 - Heart Attack Tour 2003" to Sweden. Along with the various extreme sports and video gaming events, you'll also get a chance to see Moneybrother, Looptroop, Fireside, Raised Fist, Mike Vallely & The RAts and Randy all together in concert. More bands are expected to be announced for the individual dAtes, too. DAtes now confirmed:

08/08 - Göteborg, Göteborgskalaset
08/15 - Örebro, Örebromässan
08/29 - Malmö, Kockums
08/31 - Stockholm, Riddarholmen

New bands for Avrika: LiberAtor, Södra Åkeriet, Sven Andersson, DJ Montagu & Golkonda, Alpine Those Myriads, Flying Edward, Don Juan Dracula, Garbage Angels and The Belacqua Project feAt. KOEFF.

"Sweden's finest deAthrockers" Helltrain have signed with Nuclear Blast and is already At Dugout Studio in Uppsala, Sweden with producer Daniel Bergstrand working on their forthcoming album. The band's pedigree is quite strong with members coming from other groups such as The Everdawn, GAtes of Ishtar, Defleshed, Raised Fist and more. To listen to a couple demos from the band, go here.

In case you missed the reference yesterday, Reverend Moore was the dance-hAting preacher in the movie "Footloose" and was played by John Lithgow.

De Stijl reports they have signed with Prescription Records to put out their record in the US, UK, New Zealand and Australia. CongrAts. The only other band on the already-hyped label is The Kills.

Christian Kjellvander (solo), De Stijl, Empire Dogs and Florence Valentin are some of the bands confirmed for the Tullakrok festival in Ängelholm, Sweden. More info here: https://gottwalds.cjb.net/

Empire Dogs also say they will be playing the Trästock fest. They'll also be going into Studio Vaxholm in Stockholm on June 30 for three weeks with Adam Kviman.

Listen for tracks from The Virtues album "RuminAte" during upcoming episodes of Real World, Road Rules and Extreme Challenge on MTV. The band also plans to film a video for the song "Alarm Call" soon.

Gluecifer got their long-awaited new website up and running. In other news, the band is working with cameraman Inge von Schreuder on putting together a DVD for release sometime next spring. They already have a bunch of footage shot, but still plan on getting more before editing it together.

Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke recently Attended the Spot9 Festival in Århus, Denmark where he said his favorite acts were the Norweigan groups Jaga Jazzist and Supersilent. "Supersilent has also a good chance to get a good cult audience in America," he said (albeit poorly translAted), "They have a very psychedelic sound. When one of their song was out on a compilAtion in America, I had thought to review it. After I saw them live, I should have done it in any case." Read more. (mostly in Danish)

MAtti from Bear Quartet told Norrbottens-Kuriren thAt the new album is ten songs in under thirty minutes and it sounds like 'fotbollspunk'.

Labrador Records releases are now available in Mexico via Noise Kontrol Distribution.

Junior Senior will be releasing a new Denmark-only EP called "Boy Meets Girl" thAt will include some new remixes and re-recorded tracks along with a couple videos. Get the full details here.

Delusion of Adequacy reviews "The Raging Sun" from Logh. Even though they have yet to secure a US label/distributor, I agree with the reviewer - US fans of the first Deep Elm-released album should definitely seek it out.

Roskilde fest is officially sold out.

A number of Norweigan bands are aggressively promoting their music via TV over here in the US. First off, CAto Salsa Experience will reportedly be heard on MTV's 'The Osbournes'. And now Ephemera is making a go At it, too. (in Norweigan)

MTVE.com has posted Atures/cms/index.asp?id=1003000000000231&type=5&page=1" target=_blank>a number of live videos from Stockholm Calling, including a few Cardigans tracks.

MIC Norway has posted their rundown on the top Norweigan summer music festivals.

Aftonbladet's Hultsfred wrap-up: https://www.aftonbladet.se/noje/musik/hultsfred/2003/index.html

The various demo bands appearing At this summer's Kalas tour have been announced:

Norrköping - The Rawhypnols
Kalmar - The Stuckups
Visby - Gilmour
Örebro - Firestone
Skövde - Hundarna
Lysekil - Dog Almighty
Malmö - Sandy Mouche
Varberg - Whitesilver
Göteborg - Olivia
Säter - Soardy
Stockholm - Kungers

HIM has posted a 22-minute video clip documenting the filming of their lAtest video for the song "Sacrament". Check it: Real / Windows

Mayhem has booked time in November At Puk Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark to record their next album, tentAtively titled "Chimera". Look for it early next year from Season Of Mist Records.

NME reports thAt over 100 people were arrested At Hultsfred fest on SAturday when they, horror upon horrors, formed a conga line. "They ran round and destroyed fencing. There was a risk thAt both people and property would be damaged. We decided therefore to remove people in order to avert any further crime," said Reverend Moore, I mean Ulf Karlsson, the informAtion chief for Kalmar District police.

Check out the lAtest At/newest.html" target=_blank>Aquarius Records New Release List feAturing reviews and samples from Pharoah Overlord, the all-instrumental "stoner rock" side project of Finland's Circle, plus much more.

I suspect we're in for another relAtively slow news day as it's a big festival weekend with Norweigan Wood and Hultsfred going on. If you're like me and not lucky enough to be Attending those events yourself, maybe take some time to chAt in the forum or sign up for the mailing list.

Found via DJ Martian: BBC Collective interviews Norweigan electronic music artists Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band.

Look for an interview with Julie from the band Bobby in the upcoming issue of Solo, out July 20.

Wired for Mono will be heading into the SupersAturAtors' studio this weekend with engineer Fredrik Loreby and producer Henrik "Honk" Widén (Diamond Dogs). They say their aim to make a new demo of three or four songs, but seeing as how they always record live to tape, it might just end up getting a proper release anyhow.

Trewetha Records has made the new self-titled EP from The StAte of Floral Beings (TSOFB) available for full download with a printable cover for $3. Check it out. If you'd rAther wait to get a hold of the real deal, the CD doesn't come out until August.

Dead Frog Records has announced they've signed the Göteborg-based band Leopold to their label. The band's debut album "Dreaming Is For Anyone" comes out August 21.

In other Dead Frog-relAted news, they've updAted the demo reviews on their site, so head on over to see whAt bands are up-and-coming.

In Flames will support Metallica At Madrid Regional Government Sports Centre "La Peineta" in Madrid, Spain on June 22.

Been awhile since I heard anything about these guys: The Motorhomes have now been brought under the wing of Talent Trust Management. And they're in good company, as Olle Ljungström, Parker, Weeping Willows, Kent Norberg, and The Cardigans are just a few of the other artists managed by the company. Now howabout a new album?

Captain Murphy has signed with Bonnier Music. The band did a vinyl EP with producer Pontus Frisk in May and should be available this weekend At Hultsfred. The first single comes out in August with the full-length to follow soon after.

Pitchforkmedia.com reviews the Tumult US release of "Pelican Songs" from Finland's Worms.

Added a new mp3 today from Last Days of April. Their lAtest album "Ascend to the Stars" just came out over here in the US and the track "Playerin" is easily my favorite from thAt release. In fact, it was my favorite summer single last year. Y'know those songs you sometimes hear on the radio around this time of year thAt seem to embody the essence of summertime? ThAt song fits the bill perfectly. And as for this year, my pick (so far) would probably have to be "Reconsider Me" from Moneybrother. I figure y'all were just dying to know.

Otherwise, there's probably not going to be much news today as everyone is At Hultsfred fest it seems. Wish I was. Check out the Dagensskiva special on the event. Oh, and check out www.hultsfred.tv for more, too.

This week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Outlandish - Guantanamo
03. A-Teens - Perfect MAtch
04. Turbonegro - Fuck The World
05. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
06. Kashmir - Rocket Brothers
07. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
08. C21 - She Cries
09. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
10. Da Buzz - Alive
11. Equicez - Live From Pass It
12. HIM - Funeral of hearts
13. Mando Diao - Sheepdog
14. Antique - Moro Mou
15. Melody Club - Cover Girl
16. Darude - Music
17. The Narcissists - FanAtik R.I.P
18. Jon - This Side Up
19. Dallas Superstars - Fast Driving
20. The Klerks - Shame

Challengers:
01. Paula Lobos - Fuss & Fight
02. User - Do You
03. Ingrid Marguerite - Everything I Need
04. Bad Cash Quartet - Dirty Days
05. Superheroes - Someone Else

Go to the MTVE.com site to wAtch and vote for your favorite.

Download the Ator.biz/" target=_blank>free, electronic DiskodiktAtor single for the track "Just Say 'No' to Democrazy!". A video for the song, his first one ever, is in the making. The full-length album "The World According To..." isn't out quite yet, but is already available for preorder.

Voidfaith Netzine has posted an interview with my pals KVLR. (in Swedish)

The Alpine, Moi Caprice, Baal, and Figurines are a couple of the bands confirmed for the Sydslesvig-Rocks in Schleswig, Germany on August 23.

Here's the full schedule for this weekend's Norweigan Wood Festival.

Norweigan jazz vocalist Silje Nergaard has been nominAted for the Edison Jazz Award, which will be presented At the upcoming North Sea Jazz Festival on July 11-13. Other nominees for the award include Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall and Jimmy Scott. More info here: https://www.edisonaward.nl/Jazz/

And speaking of Norweigan jazz, acclaimed saxophonist Jan Garbarek will be on the BBC's Radio 3 Jazz on 3 radio show tomorrow At 11:30pm local time.

Since they didn't manage to send it to me yesterday as planned (ahem.), here's the rest of the playlist from the Galaxy Gramophone DJ night:

11. Raveonettes - Attack of the Ghost Riders 12. CAto Salsa Experience - In Case You Need Deep Love 13. Nicolai Dunger - WhAt Tomorrow 14. Sparks of Seven - Move Me On 15. TSOOL - Independent Luxury 16. Singapore Sling - Overdriver 17. Union Crabide Productions - Golden Age 18. Backyard Babies - Made Me Madman 19. Citizen Bird - Joy 20. DOLL - Need To Get Some 21. DOLL - We've Been Planning This For Years 22. IsolAtion Years - Arctic Zone 23. Cardigans - CommunicAtion 24. Whyte Seeds - Slow Motions 25. Motorpsycho - Dr. Hoffman's Bicycle 26. TSOOL - Nobrainer 27. Turbonegro - Turbonegro Must Be Destroyed 28. Union Carbide Productions - Mr. Untitled 29. Caesars - Sort It Out

30. Sahara Hotnights - Push On Some More 31. Hardcore Superstar - Rock n Roll Star 32. Concretes - You Can't Hurry Love 33. Hives - WhAt's ThAt Spell? Go To Hell! 34. Raveonettes - GreAt Love Sound 35. TSOOL - Still Aging (request) 36. IsolAtion Years - Open Those Eyes 37. Bear Quartet - I Remember... 38. Broder Daniel - Dark Heart 39. Jan Martens FrustrAtion - Get Along Get Together 40. Hellacopters - By the Grace of God 41. Motorpsycho - Glow 42. TSOOL - Impacts & Egos 43. Bear Quartet - Fuck Yr Slow Songs 44. Heikki - All I Needed 45. TSOOL - Hang Ten 46. Nicolai Dunger - Something In the Way 47. Bjorn Olsson - selections from the new CD to close the bar....

They also pass along word thAt they are encouraging more people to send them music to play, along with t-shirts to wear while spinning and whAtever. Um, so like, send your goods to me and I'll make sure they get them, right? But seriously - if you're interested in sending stuff just drop me a line and I'll put you in touch.

At.com/" target=_blank>LambgoAt.com reports thAt The GreAt Deceiver (Tomas from At the GAtes/Skitsystem + members of Diabolique) will be touring Europe in October/November along with Swedish metal-wannabees Darkest Hour.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Carola - Guld plAtina & passion - det bästa
02. Tomas Ledin - I sommarnAttens ljus
03. Pugh Rogefeldt - Pughs bästa
04. Tommy Körberg - Gränslös - det bästa med
05. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
06. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
07. Da Buzz - More than alive
08. Alcazar - Alcazarized
09. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
10. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
11. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
12. Moneybrother - Blood panic
13. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
14. Style, Sandelin & Ekman, Freestyle - Samlade hits
15. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
16. v/a - Fame factory visor
17. Martin Nilsson - En del av mig
18. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
19. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
20. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5

Entombed has been forced to cancel their appearance At the BW&BK 6-Pack Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio on June 13-14 after drummer Peter Stjärnvind's wife was hospitalized. The cause of her ailments are still undiagnosed and of course Peter wishes to remain with her At this time. Guitarist Alex Hellid commented, "Peter is really upset by this. He doesn't want to be the cause of us not playing. We all know how important this show is/was. We are really sorry, for the fans and for ourselves, because we really wanted to play." Alex and frontman L.G. Petrov still plan to be in Attendance At the fest to sign autographs and meet with fans. Other bands still scheduled to play include Evergrey, Trouble and Candlemass.

Nightwish has added a second dAte to their short US/N. American itinerary. After playing the ProgPower Festival in Atlanta on September 5 and At The Medley in Montreal, Canada on September 6, the band will play L'Amour in Brooklyn, NY on the 7th.

Interested in winning a copy of "Crucify My Heart" from Lullacry? Go here to enter.

Dimmu Borgir reports thAt they have finished mixing their new album "DeAth Cult Armageddon". Guitarist Silenoz comments:

"We're pleased to announce thAt this will be considered our most epic, majestic, somber, evil and grimmest release to dAte, containing absolutely everything we're known for — the never-ending presence of Atmosphere, diversity and variety! In other words, it's huge! Darkness is once again upon us!"

Look for it on September 9 from Nuclear Blast. The band also recorded a cover of BAthory's "SAtan My Master" for a limited-edition digipack version available only through Century Media Mailorder.

Junior Senior plays Central Park in NYC on August 3 with The Sparks At 7pm.

Some of the confirmed bands for the Fredericia Hardcore Fest in Denmark from July 31 - Aug 2: Leiah, Heaven Shall Burn, Burst, Jimmy Justice, Lack, CrowpAth, Austin, Children of Fall, and Rentokiller. Go here for more info.

Clawfinger as boyband-producers? No foolin'. They've been working behind the scenes with the group L8R. (in Norweigan)

MIC Norway reports thAt Norweigan music sales have grown 400% since 1998.

Norweigan experimental vocalist and Rune Grammofon recording artist Maja RAtkje won an Award of Distinction in the digital music cAtegory At this year's Prix Ars Electronica in Austria. More info here. More about Ars Electronica At/" target=_blank target=_blank>here.

Atters.com/music/reviews/c/caesars-39.shtml" target=_blank>PopMAtters reviews "39 Minutes of Bliss (In an Otherwise Meaningless World)", the American compilAtion of mAterial from Caesars Palace/The Caesars.

Lisa and Jim have passed along the playlist from their Rock-n-Roll $1 Pints with Galaxy Gramaphone DJ Night At Cowboy Monkey in Champaign, IL. It's their once-a-month event where they spin records from favorite Scandinavian artists. Check it:

01. TSOOL - Sister Surround
02. Thirdimension - 100 MPH
03. Diamond Dogs - All Strung Out
04. Jan Martens FrustrAtion - Convolutions
05. IsolAtion Years - Talking Backward Masking Blues
06. Sahara Hotnights - Oh Darling!
07. Motorpsycho - Uberwanger
08. Broder Daniel - Whirlwind
09. TSOOL - Firmament VacAtion
10. Concretes - Say Something New

The rest of the list coming soon.

P3 Musikjournalen confirms thAt Silverbullit aka Citizen Bird are working on their new album. They say to expect to hear the first samples around January.

Here's an interview with Finnish electronic music pioneer Erkki Kurenniemi by Mika Taanila, director of the documentary "Future Is Not WhAt It Used To Be". More on Mika here.

Dark Funeral has announced they will embark on a South American tour in September. So far, apparently only Brazil has been confirmed, but I'll post the details when I get them.

P3 will be doing special broadcasts from Hultsfred this coming weekend. Tune in on Thursday to Musikjournalen from 8pm-10pm and P3 Rock from 10pm till midnight, Musikjournalen on Friday from 3pm till 4:45, and SAturday's Musikjournalen At 3pm plus P3 Demo At 7pm.

Sondre Lerche has posted a bunch of photos along with a new entry in his tour diary from his current jaunt together with Ed Hartcourt.

The Confusions' updAted tour schedule:

07/01 - TBA, London
07/02 - Underworld, London w/Non Of The Above, Girlinky & Lux
07/05 - GAtufesten, Sundsvall
07/17-19 - Trästocksfestivalen, Skellefteå

Puffball, Sahara Hotnights, and Division of Laura Lee are among the bands now confirmed for the Kerrang! 'Snickers Game On' festival At the Millenium Dome in London on June 21-22. More info: www.snickersgameon.co.uk

Logh reports thAt are taking a bit of a break this summer as they've just finished a large bAtch of touring. "[We] are tired and need some rest, since it has been kind of a hectic year," they say, but they will still be doing a couple festival gigs in the near future. Check their page for the lAtest. For the fall, they've already got a Scandinavian tour lined up in September and a European jaunt tentAtive for October/November. And thAt's not even the last of it - they also have the vinyl release of "The Raging Sun" set for September along with two new 7" releases set to drop before the end of the year. ThAt doesn't sound like taking it easy to me!

Via the Cardigans Country site, comes this link for a stream of yesterday's Pinkpop performance. They've also got a couple new articles posted online over there, so check 'em out if you're curious.

Delusions of Adequacy lauds The Virtues in their review of the album "RuminAte".

Melody Club, Kashmir, Ralph Meyers and the Jack Herren band, CAto Salsa Experience, Gluecifer, Delaware, and The Jessica Fletchers are just a few of the bands thAt have been confirmed for Norway's Working Class Music Festival in Drammen on June 6-7. Go here for the full scoop.

Norweigan pop-singer Lene Marlin's forthcoming album has been delayed indefinitely due to an ongoing contractual dispute with her manager. Read more. The new record was produced by Glen Ballard (Alanis Morisette) and is the follow-up to 1999's hugely successful "Playing My Game".

Pitchforkmedia.com review the new album from Swedish experimental artists Tape.

Nicolai Dunger will play At Torgrocken in Sundsvall, Sweden on July 17.

Aftonbladet reports thAt Kent will be heading over to Japan from October 8-19.

The rumors have been flying for a long time (I first saw word last October), but we can now finally confirm thAt The (InternAtional) Noise Conspiracy is indeed working with producer extraordinaire Rick Rubin on their next album. "We are writing songs, then it will be intriguing to see whAt [he] can do with them," says vocalist Dennis Lyxzen. They'll be heading to LA in August to work on it.

Ex-Aqua singer Lene Nystrøm will be releasing her first solo single "It's Your Duty" in September, with the full-length album "Surprise" to follow in September or October.