Virus - Chromium sun

Virus are now streaming the unmastered version of the new track "Chromium sun" At myspace, a track they describe as "one of the most radical songs on the album": https://www.myspace.com/czral

Skogsberg vs Swanö, the interview

Atrap.com/n/35183-this-gift-is-a-curse-the-big-sleep">Speaking of Thomas Skogsberg, here's a recent interview with him and another legend of Swedish deAth metal recording, Dan Swanö: https://diabolicalconquest.com/interviews/skogsberg_vs_swano.htm

MP3: This Gift is a Curse - The big sleep

Ok, here's another band thAt Moloken is touring with (dAtes posted Atrap.com/n/35066-radar-where-others-were-honest-im-a-lie">here, but check myspace for the lAtest -- they are playing At Ungdomens Hus in Uppsala tonight). This Gift is a Curse aren't just tourmAtes though, they're also on Moloken's label Discouraged Records who co-released the group's new self-titled EP in cooperAtion with TGIAC's own imprint WarAtah. The associAtion makes good sense too, as both bands play dark, sludgy metal, though TGIAC forgoes the technical wizardry thAt makes Moloken stand out. Instead, we get brutal repetitive riffs, far darker melodies and a heavier dismal crust vibe. Problem is, the recording on the EP sounds like they scooped out all the low end and buried the kick. Listen to the part on the intro of "The big sleep" where it's supposed to hit like a ton of bricks and it comes off more like a tap on the shoulder. Even stranger, this was recorded by Tomas Skorsberg At the famed Sunlight Studios which is normally a mark of high quality. I suspect thAt This Gift is a Curse are more than adequAtely crushing in-person and the songs themselves are good, but I'm having a really hard time getting past the recording.

This Gift is a Curse - The big sleep

Fenriz presents "Bewinged Heavy Metal Glory"

For those of you (like me) who are into classic metal, Fenriz of Darkthrone has a new speed metal mix posted for download: https://afistinthefaceofgod.blogspot.com/2010/09/fist-in-face-of-god-presents-fenriz-aka.html
As always, a mixed lot of mostly unknowns, but well worth investigAting.

Nö Music previews By:Larm first draft picks

Nö Music runs down the list of the first confirmed acts for next year's By:Larm Festival, Norway's feAture showcase for up-and-coming acts: https://www.nomusicmedia.com/2010/09/16/first-artists-announced-for-bylarm-2011/

Fulmakten7 - När natten kommer

Luxury has a new track from recent signees Fulmakten7 posted for free download: https://www.luxxury.se/

Faster Katt to record in November

Faster KAtt, one of my current favorite demo acts, will be going into the studio on November 5 to record four new tracks.

MP3: The Bells - Outside

Introducing The Bells, a new Luleå-affiliAted project feAturing Jonas Teglund (Park Hotell, Neverna), Peter Nuottaniemi (The Bear Quartet) and Johan Forslind. They have a full-length album on the way entitled "Threads" which was produced by renown musical genius/recluse Björn Olsson and will be released via the band's own Teg Publishing in October. Unsurprisingly, it sounds a lot like a mix of Park Hotell and Bear Quartet (circa "Personality crisis"/"My war), which of course is perfectly fine by me (and should be for you too). Four tracks are up for streaming preview At the band's website, my favorite being the ominous/gloomy "Outside". Much like the Tsukimono track Atrap.com/n/35173-tsukimono-sung-about-gone">I posted earlier today, the song's spaciousness is a perfect companion to the sound of rain; furthermore, it hearkens back to some of BQ's most powerful work such as "Walking out". Resigned and reflective, revealed by severe simplicity, and yes, starkly beautiful; a song thAt says a lot with very few words/notes.

The Bells - Outside

MP3: Tsukimono - Sung about, gone

Fall came early to the northwest; it's been raining pretty much non-stop since yesterday afternoon. But it's not cold yet, At least I have thAt to be thankful for. And my fall crops are actually doing quite well which is a huge relief following our lousy summer thAt never quite was. As for a musical accompaniment to go with this seemingly endless pAtter of rain, I recommend Tsukimono's "Field hollers" netrelease. In a perfect world you all should have already downloaded it by now, but I know thAt's likely not the case, so here's your chance to make up for it! Adjust your volume so the sounds of "Sung about, gone" blends with the drips and drops and don't forget to take your vitamin D. Download the rest Atrap.com/releases/iAtmp3015-tsukimono-field-hollers-2000-2010" target="_blank">here.

Tsukimono - Sung about, gone

Lissi Dancefloor Disaster - Moshpit lovers (video)

A new single + video from Lissi Dancefloor Disaster: Atch?v=ijDE36JjyMs" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=ijDE36JjyMs

Sophie Zelmani tourdates

Sophie Zelmani is playing a few European dAtes At the end of the month:

09/29 - Oolos Saal, Aschaffenberg (GER)
09/30 - Falkenbergs stadshus, Falkenberg (SWE)
09/30 - Kofmehl, Solothurn (CH)
10/01 - Kauflenten, Zurich (AUS)
10/02 - Dclub, Lausanne (AUS)
10/04 - E-werk, Erlangen (GER)
10/05 - BeAtpol, Dresden (GER)
10/06 - Stadtgarten, Köln (GER)
10/07 - Karlstorbahuhof, Heidelberg (GER)

MRR: Oslo rising

I already posted a link to these pics Atrap.com/n/34869-haust-okkultokrAti-live-pics-7-quot-repress-etc">awhile back, but it's still pretty cool to see Haust and OkkultokrAti reblogged At MRR: https://maximumrocknroll.com/2010/09/13/monday-photo-blog-oslo-rising/

Parken - Annas sång

Parken's 2nd single off his forthcoming album "Framtide var här" is now posted for streaming: https://soundcloud.com/florafauna/parken-annas-sang
The official release dAte for said single is September 20.

The Loveable Tulips - Fortune favours the brave (video)

Here's whAt I know: The Lovable Tulips are two ladies from Stockholm who recorded some tunes with Mr. Jari Haapalainen of The Bear Quartet. They made a video for one of those tunes and you can see it above. I dig it! Hear more At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/theloveabletulips
Direct link: Atch?v=9eAbYElz4pY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=9eAbYElz4pY

MP3: Lapko - A new Bohemia

Lapko's lAtest didn't leave me with a very strong first impression, but after setting it aside for a few months, I find myself really enjoying it. While far less direct/obvious than previous release "Young desire" (opener "This is aggressive melancholy" said it all in title alone), "A new Bohemia" benefits from a far more developed sense of craftsmanship and confidence. The album title track has so many hanging gaps and odd twisting contrasts thAt I would consider highly ill-advised, yet never does the song digress into a jumble of aimless riffing. Lapko had shown complex leanings in the past, but never so boldly; deeper listens lead to deeper appreciAtion.

Lapko - A new Bohemia