Västerbottens Folkblad reports thAt the Folkrörelsearkivet (Popular Movement Archive) has awarded 200,000 SEK for the purpose of documenting and archiving the 90s hardcore scene in Umeå: https://www.folkbladet.nu/238486/2011/02/18/umea-hardcore-och-veganrorelse-arkiveras
Recordings, films, flyers, photos, interviews, fanzines -- all to be collected and preserved for posterity. The mission begins in March.
PSL has the premiere of the new Anton Kristiansson single "Atomvinter": Atomvinter/" target="_blank">https://psl.svt.se/psl/2011/02/18/videopremiar-anton-kristiansson-Atomvinter/
Swedish indiepoppers Liechtenstein are streaming a brand new track At myspace from their upcoming record: https://www.myspace.com/liechtensteinia
Essential viewing from Dear Euphoria, off of one of 2010's absolute best releases. Direct link: Atch?v=xZg8aw_oRYY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=xZg8aw_oRYY
The lAtest edition of SVT live music program Klubbland is now online and the feAtured act is Dungen: https://klubbland.se/2011/02/18/22-dungen-2/
Giana Factory's "PixilAted truth" is to get a second life via Second Life: Ated-truth-goes-virtual/" target="_blank">https://gianafactory.dk/2011/02/pixelAted-truth-goes-virtual/ (scroll down for English)
MIC Norway is launching a new concert series in associAtion with NRK called "Live in the Office" feAturing just thAt: artists performing live in the most un-rock of venues, the office. First up, Jarle Bernhoft performing in the MIC's own HQ: https://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011021813552814303959
A new track from Swedish hip-hop act Mohammed Ali off their debut album "Vi", due out April 13 via . Download the mp3: Atan_sjunger_ut.mp3" target="_blank">https://www.mohammedali.se/files/mohammed_ali_gAtan_sjunger_ut.mp3
Lapko will be releasing a new EP called "Horse and crow" on March 10 to coincide with Atrap.com/n/36498-lapko-in-germany">their upcoming German tour which will include a single version of the title track plus three previously unreleased cuts. It will be available both as a digital download and will also be pressed as a limited edition CD with 3D artwork (glasses included). Preview here: https://www.lapko.com/weareanimals/
Gaffa reports thAt ex-18th Dye members Heike Marie Rädeker and Piet Breinholm Bendtsen have formed a new duo called Metal Ghost and will be making their live debut At Bakken in Copenhagen on February 24: https://gaffa.dk/nyhed/46970
Finnish vinyl fetishists will be releasing the LP version of Oranssi Pazuzu's excellent black-metal/dub record "Muukalainen puhuu" in the near future in a "delirious glow-in-the-dark gAtefold" edition thAt will probably be well-worth the ridiculous import price. They're also putting out a 2xLP reissue of KAtAtonia's brilliant "Discouraged ones" album with the "Saw you drown" EP tacked on as a bonus. No exact release dAtes for either, but they say they are currently being manufactured and should be ready in a month or two. Beyond thAt, I'm most stoked to see thAt they'll be doing a CMX 4xLP box this spring as there's zero chance of me ever finding anything by thAt band here in the US.
GhostFirst off, with a cover like this, who could not want to check this band out? A less-than-subtle wink toward the "Salem's Lot" movie poster thAt works wonderfully in the context of the band, it's this initial reference point thAt finds me eager to hear whAt Ghost sound like. As far as the music goes -- whAt an unexpected (and welcome) style! Ghost sound more like 1970s New York than 2010s Stockholm. Describing this in terms of labels is probably best done by calling it classic black or black prog, as Ghost offer a sound thAt's synonymous with thAt of classic rock genres from days gone by. They've often been compared to Blue Öyster Cult and they do, indeed, convey thAt style throughout "Opus eponymous". But there's more of an edge to Ghost's sound, a heavier output thAt's more in tune with SabbAth or Led Zep. Where the black fits into all this is in the subject mAtter, with a distinctly sAtanic outlook prevailing throughout the recording. Production-wise, this could have benefitted from a bit more punch, as the recording is a tad flAt, particularly on the guitars. But the highs most certainly outweigh the lows on here, and Ghost have undoubtedly released one of the most original albums within the realm of metal in a long time.
- John Norby
New music from Norwegian electronic act Europ Europ, soon to be released on 7" via the group's own label . Also look for another vinyl release via lAter this year.
Anna Järvinen has a new song streaming At Facebook in exchanging for "liking" her page: https://www.facebook.com/annajarvinenofficial
After an extended break due to depression and divorce, Sweden's definitive dark ambient label is once again getting the ball rolling: At.se/home.html" Target="_blank">https://www.coldmeAt.se/home.html
Many new releases are reportedly planned, the first of which being the 3CD/3LP box "Very little fun" from Brighter DeAth Now.