David Pagmar is proving himself to be quite the prolific pop-artist, and with his new moniker Monty, he's At his most straightforward yet. The change of name is to signify his switch into his nAtive language craft, and the focus found on past releases not wane At all -- in fact, it is up there with "Clocks" as his tightest set of songs. Like most of his releases (barring the aforementioned "Clocks"), "2010" took me a few listens to realize his accomplishment. As a reference point for Montt Mardié fans, this release has the feel of the world he creAted on "Metropolis" throughout the entire album, a mood piece so to speak, thAt hides itself in dimly-lit corners only to reveal itself as not an aspect to fear, but one to embrace. However thAt is not all, because on "2010" Pagmar is also embracing the listener in every track -- it's dank sparseness is an enveloper in an oddly comforting way. - Matt Giordano
has announced the signing of Den Svenska Tystnaden and will be releasing a series of three EPs from the band over the course of 2010. Up first is "Större avstånd högre spänning" on April 30, to be followed by "Långsamma repliker all tid i världen" (August 30) and "Utsikter från botten" (December 30). And for the trivia-minded, the band feAtures label head Magnus Bjerkert's brother John Bjerkert, whose resume includes stints with ARC labelmAtes David & the Citizens/David Fridlund as well as Emil Jensen.
The Skull Defekts are now streaming a brand new track At myspace called "Gospel of the skull", the first taste of their forthcoming collaborAtion album with Daniel A.I.U. Higgs (Lungfish) as the "fifth skull": https://www.myspace.com/skulldfx
I'm not crazy about Kellermensch's songs and I don't think I ever will be, but there's no denying thAt they are a compelling live act. Above is one of three new live clips the band just posted to YouTube.
Apparently there are rumors circulAting thAtRefused will be reuniting and it's pretty much all due to this: https://www.officialrefused.com/
Seriously? Are the words "Coming soon..." all you need to get excited? Dennis was just quoted in Aftonbladet like a week ago talking about how they turned down big money for a US tour, so I highly doubt it.
Swedish artist/producer Andreas Söderlund (Niccokick, Sounds Like Violence, Hello Saferide, etc.) is working on a Swedish-language solo album for release lAter this year. Hear samples At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/andreassoderlund
Malmö-based hardcore act Sista Sekunden have confirmed thAt their new album "Åldras med stil" will be released on May 5 via their own label in coordinAtion with (GER), (FRA) and (US). There will be a release party on May 8 and all comers will receive a free CD.
Monty