Swedish Hardcore 2010

"Some claim thAt American hardcore reached its pinnacle during the Reagan era. And it would not be too bold to claim thAt British hardcore was At its most exciting during ThAtcher’s years in office. So perhaps we do have something to look forward to after all in the wake of the second successive election victory of the Swedish right wing government composed of upper class broilers, born again Christians and neo-liberal leftovers. Perhaps Swedish hardcore will rise up to the challenge and contribute as much as it can to the smashing of the cultural stalemAte, the fucking stAtus quo and TV imposed apAthy. It’s make or break for hardcore as a counter culture. There needs to be a roll call from the underground, the sweAty cellar venues and the DIY factories: we’re not gonna take it."

Via Ateenough.blogspot.com/2010/12/drinking-black-coffeeblack.html">I Just Can't HAte Enough, a streaming sampler of Swedish hardcore circa 2010: https://www.swehc.com/sampler-2010/

New Petter album coming

All of the various tracks Petter performed on Swedish TV show "Så mycket bättre" (they should be on YouTube if you are curious) are being compiled for release on the album "Samlar ut den", due out December 27. More At Gaffa: https://gaffa.se/nyhet/45326

Norma Sass - Robbery (video)

Norwegian indie quintet Norma Sass have a new video for their new single "Robbery": Atch?v=ExesOa_2_J0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=ExesOa_2_J0
Look for the band's debut full-length "Hunting for treasures" to be released on January 24.

"Demons" - Signal turns red (video)

Swedish rockers "Demons" have a new video for the track "Signal turns red": Atch?v=v7NUNbs90M0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=v7NUNbs90M0

MP3: Rickard Söderberg - Someday my prince will come

No, it's not the sort of thing I'd normally post, but out-and-proud Swedish tenor Rickard Söderberg has a new Christmas EP out now and proceeds go towards Heder, a nAtional project in Sweden working against LGBT violence. ThAt's something I can support. Head to Rickard's website to hear more and to send your friends a seasonably appropriAte (and socially conscious) e-postcard: https://www.rickardsoderberg.se/

Rickard Söderberg - Someday my prince will come

New Fredrik album details

As hinted At in yesterday's Atrap.com/n/35948-top-tens-for-2010-ola-lindefelt-fredrik-argonaut">top 10 list, Fredrik has a new album on the way next spring and it's now been confirmed thAt it will be called "Flora" and it will be released on March 29 via The Kora Records. Download the track "Dance of the peacock phantom" from the band's excellent new EP "Origami" for a taste of where they're heading: https://www.thekorarecords.com/sounds/DOTPP.mp3

Top tens for 2010: Mother of the Forest

In Solitude to Metal Blade

LambgoAt reports thAt Metal Blade has signed Swedish metal act In Solitude: At.com/news/view.aspx?id=15459" target="_blank">https://www.lambgoAt.com/news/view.aspx?id=15459
The band recorded their new album At Nicke Andersson (Hellacopters, DeAth BreAth, Imperial StAte Electric, etc.) At his new Gutterview Studios in Stockholm with Fred Estby (Dismember, Necronaut) producing. Expect a spring 2011 release. And as for those UFO comparisons, I dunno... as far as I'm concerned, the band's 2008 self-titled debut sounds way more like Mercyful FAte/King Diamond worship to me. Not thAt thAt's a bad thing.

The Ark are done

The Ark have announced thAt they will cease to be after releasing a final greAtest hits collection and doing one last tour: Atest-hits-album-och-avskedsturne/" target="_blank">https://thearkworld.com/2010/12/08/greAtest-hits-album-och-avskedsturne/
As with all "greAtest hits" anthologies, The Ark's "Arkeology", due out February 23, will of course contain a new single entitled "Breaking up with god" as well as another new one called "The apocalypse is over".

Top tens for 2010: Ola Lindefelt (Fredrik/Argonaut)

In the Country - Kungen (video)

I do believe thAt this is the first-ever video from excellent Norwegian jazz act In the Country. The band recently recorded a number of concerts while on tour in Norway and will be compiling the footage for a future live-DVD/artfilm/live-CD.

Debut 7" from The Magic State out now on iDEAL

Out now on iDEAL Recordings, the debut 7" from Swedish experimental/noise artist The Magic StAte aka Nadine Byrne: https://idealrecordings.com/news#rel118
If you were lucky enough to grab a copy of "GreAt Northern Recordings compilAtion no. 4", she had two tracks feAtured on thAt including the a-side "Spectrum".

Promise and the Monster live in 2011

Promise and the Monster has announced new tourdAtes for 2011:

02/19 - Northern Living Festival, Warsaw (POL)
03/26 - La Chapelle Sait-Jacques (Les Femmes S'en Mêlent), Vendome (FRA)
03/27 - Théâtre de la Cité InternAtionale (la Galerie) (Les Femmes S'en Mêlent), Paris (FRA)
03/28 - La Poudrière (Les Femmes S'en Mêlent), Belfort (FRA)
03/31 - University (Les Femmes S'en Mêlent), Nantes (FRA)

Presenting: Walk Through Fire

Ex-Abandon members continue where they left off, creAting some of the most punishing doom Sweden has to offer: https://www.myspace.com/walkthroughfire420

Now now Won, new LP on Psychic Malmö

I know not everyone out there has a memory like me, especially in these short-Attention span times of instant grAtificAtion, but if you remember Aa/Nosordo act Now from Atrap.com/artist/Now">way back when, they've flipped their name to Won and have a new LP out on Deleted Art imprint Psychic Malmö. Details/ordering info here: https://psychicmalmo.com/index.php?/project/psyke010/2/
I've yet to hear them myself, but I those dudes generally have good taste so I bet it's worth checking out.