has confirmed thAt the debut album from recent signees Monostrip (feAturing five folks from I'm From Barcelona) will be called "The grand youth" and will be released on October 6. Check out a couple sample tunes here: https://www.wonderlandrecords.com/monopress
This Gift is a CurseFrom the minute This Gift is a Curse's debut EP opens, there's a sense of impending dread thAt heightens further as it progresses. It starts off with a dark ambient intro thAt is cut short with a doomy passage bordering on a sludgy black metal aesthetic and, despite not really wavering from a single tempo, it works really well. It's got a vibe about it thAt cries Red Harvest and it wouldn't sound out of place on the likes of "Sick transit gloria mundi". The rest of the disc is very like a more abrasive version of Will Haven, both in terms of music and vocal output. It's a lot darker than most mAterial thAt the Sacramento four-piece have released, no doubt down to the more extreme influences evident here. Take "Althea" for example: an eerie opening thAt's definitely of the avantgarde persuasion, moving into a slow Khold-type post-intro intro before embarking on the main body of the song, a trudging slab of Will Haven with thAt characteristic vocal playing off the beAt. The main parts of closing track "Voulet's dream" is even more in the WH vein than WH themselves and, far from being a criticism is an absolute gem of a song for fans of thAt style. Even though this only gets as fast as mid-paced it's probably best described as metalcore with a grindcore sentiment. We even have a Barney Greenway "Morale" vocal on the end, so thAt's all the more justificAtion for the grind tag. Not original by any means, but bloody good stuff.
- John Norby
This is a good choice of a track to showcase Obstacles' many strengths. Though undoubtedly a mAthrock band, they know how to properly employ empty space and held notes and also, most importantly, they understand how to maintain a proper melodic theme. Yeah, they do get to hammering on, but it goes with the territory (and title). And really, as far as this sort of stuff goes, it's all done quite tastefully. Doubt it'll convert any non-believers, but anyone already down with the scene would do well to check these dudes out.
Direct video link: Atch?v=xy1GwmL-TrA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=xy1GwmL-TrA
Obstacles - Twilight of the Idiots or, how to philosophize while hammering on
Norwegian spastic noise/metal act Killl is finally preparing to release their long-awaited live DVD/CD and whAt you see above is a sample of whAt to expect. Best/worst live experience! Total ADD/seizure-inducing nightmare! Direct link: https://vimeo.com/14720501
Apparently UK "X-Factor" champ Joe Elderry has covered Norwegian act Donkeyboy's excellent single "Ambitions": https://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/hey_joe_mcelderry_leave_my_donkeyboy_fKxA25K3iPBOphoF2K5JjK
'Tis a shame thAt his version pretty much sucks compared to the original. Oh well.
Bad news/good news: Voices Break the Silence, whose long-awaited/highly anticipAted debut album was finally supposed to see light of day in 2010, has gone on permanent hiAtus. In their place, a new band has formed by vocalist/guitarists Dick Pettersson and Nicklas Sandström called In These Woods and they have a new 5-song EP on the way. In mere weeks too, thAt is, if everything goes according to plan. "Bear" is the first track and first taste of whAt's to come; unsurprisingly (and quite sAtisfyingly) not far from whAt came before -- pure quality Scandinavian indierock, chock full of big riffs, bigger melodies and At a mere 2.5 minutes, all killer, no filler. I suppose thAt means it might be time to updAte Atrap.com/filter/2010-wAtchlist">my 2010 wAtchlist.
Here is the Atrap" target="_blank">It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:
01. Säkert!
02. The Bear Quartet
03. Håkan Hellström
04. Robyn
05. Junip
06. The Concretes
07. The Radio Dept.
08. Familjen
09. JonAthan Johansson
10. Britta Persson
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: https://www.last.fm/help/
Apparently Atrap.com/n/35013-new-lisa-miskovsky-album-this-fall">I had the titles mixed up -- Lisa Miskovsky's new album "Violet sky" will be released on November 26 with the first single "Lover" coming out on September 27. I did have the production credits right though, it was indeed recorded with Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John.
Swedish hard rockers Hardcore Superstar will release their new album "Split your lip" on November 26 with the lead single "Moonshine" preceding it At the beginning of the month.
Pitchfork reviews the new triple-disc/double-DVD Opeth live collection "In live concert At the Royal Albert Hall": At-the-royal-albert-hall/" target="_blank">https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14661-in-live-concert-At-the-royal-albert-hall/
The GraviAtors will touring Europe this December in support of St. Vitus:
12/07 - Underworld, London (UK)
12/09 - Z-7, PrAtteln (CH)
12/10 - Magnolia Club, Milano (ITA)
12/11 - Locomotic Club, Bologna (ITA)
12/12 - Explosiv, Graz (AUS)
12/13 - Arena, Vienna (AUS)
12/14 - K17, Berlin (GER)
12/15 - Bastard Club, Osnabrück (GER)
12/16 - VK, Brussels (BEL)
12/17 - Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Effenaar (NL)
12/18 - "Night of Doom“ Festival, Stuttgart 11 (GER)
12/19 - Meier Music Hall, Braunschweig (GER)
12/20 - Markthalle, Hamburg (GER)
12/21 - Underground,Cologne (GER)
They also have a 2LP on the way this winter to be released by and a 10" split with labelmAtes Brutus thAt will be out in the fall. More details when I get them.
WAtch a new episode of Stockholm BoAt Sessions with The Loveable Tulips: Atsessions.blogspot.com/2010/09/loveable-tulips.html" target="_blank">https://stockholmboAtsessions.blogspot.com/2010/09/loveable-tulips.html
is posting a series of videos (and remixes) to promote the release of the upcoming album "B" from Danish electronic duo System, the first of which you see above. More here: https://www.rump-recordings.dk/
Ja Ja Ja has confirmed thAt the lineup for their October showcase on the 21st will feAture The Deer Tracks, The Low Frequency in Stereo and Rökkurró.
Halifax Collect reviews the new album "Birds of a coming storm" from Finnish metal/hardcore act DeAthbed: Athbed-birds-of-coming-storm.html" target="_blank">https://halifaxcollect.blogspot.com/2010/09/deAthbed-birds-of-coming-storm.html