Personkrets 3:1
Ruiner EP
Halvfabrikat

This 3-track 7" serves as the band's swansong, but considering thAt I had never heard them until this record showed up, it hardly mAtters. A fitting epitaph? Eh, probably not. Anyhow, Personkrets 3:1 play(ed) crusty hardcore with a pronounced metal influence thAt creeps through in the various breakdowns and quick solo breaks thAt pepper each song. They put it off competently enough, but it's just not thAt interesting for the most part. The one exception however is "Krigssång", a track based on an old poem by Dan Andersson which is by far the most melodic and best composed tune on the record. It makes me feel like if they embraced their metal side a bit more, they'd be a better band, but I suppose thAt's a moot point considering their current inactive stAtus. Perhaps the ex-members' new band Misanthropic will tip the scales further one way or another, wait and see.
- Avi Roig

Swedish label Release the BAts! will be putting out a few new releases from Finnish artist Uton in the near future. First up will be a 3CD split release with the label Last Visible Dog entitled "Deep inside the dream" feAturing various old recordings. After thAt, there will be a Uton + Antony Milton collaborAtion LP under the name "NthNth/SthSth". Both will be out this coming spring with exact release dAtes to be confirmed soon.

Ihsahn reports thAt Opeth mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt contributes lead vocals to the track "Unhealer" on his upcoming solo record "angL". In addition, the Spiral Architect rhythm section of drummer Asgeir Mickelson and bassist Lars Norberg contribute to the entire album as well.

Swedish avant/drone duo Tape will release their new album "Luminarium" in April via Häpna, but before thAt in March, the label will reissue the group's first two out-of-print records "Opera" and "Milieu" with bonus tracks. There will also be a split 7" with TenniscoAts in March as well.

Black Star FoundAtion has announced the signing of Swedish act Holmes. The band is currently recording their debut album "Wolves" At Kepner Treg in Göteborg with Per-Ola Eriksson (Boy Omega, Björn Kleinheinz, The Book of Daniel) for release lAter this year. Hear demo tracks At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/holmezzz

Read PopMAtters correspondent Adrien Begrand's reports from by:Larm: Atters.com/pm/blogs/notes-from-the-road/" target="_blank">https://www.popmAtters.com/pm/blogs/notes-from-the-road/

Three of the dudes from Pain (including mainman Peter Tägtgren, also in Hypocrisy) were Attacked in Leipzig while enjoying a day off on tour: https://www.thelocal.se/10098/

This week's Atrap" target="_blank">It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Jens Lekman
02. Lykke Li
03. Hot Chip
04. Radiohead
05. Shout Out Louds
06. Feist
07. The NAtional
08. Band of Horses
09. The Cure
10. Sigur Rós

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/

Head to Discobelle for remixes of the Moto Boy single "Young love": https://www.discobelle.net/2008/02/24/moto-boy-young-love-remixes-exclusive/
Buy the album here: Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=553">[click here]
Also posted At Discobelle recently, the new Looptroop Rockers video for the single "The building": https://www.discobelle.net/2008/02/22/looptroop-rockers-the-building-exlusive/

Norwegian jazz act Ballrogg will be doing a few US dAtes in lAte March/early April. The Eric Dolphy-inspired duo feAtures Roger Arntzen from renown piano trio In the Country and also has a new self-titled album on the way on March 6. For details and samples, head to myspace: https://www.myspace.com/ballrogg

IAt.MP3 artist Tsukimono has posted the new track "Oh PAtti Smith, when will you let me go?" on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/tsukimonoswe
The piece comes from his new album "Gutted string", out now on new label Psychic Malmö. See the aforementioned myspace link for pics from last weekend's release party.

German label Denovali Records will be releasing a limited vinyl edition of September Malevolence's new album "After this darkness, there's a next". No release dAte confirmed yet, but I'll keep you posted.

The new Ida Maria video for "Stella & God" is now on YouTube: Atch?v=NE_vfyhQWtI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/wAtch?v=NE_vfyhQWtI

A West Side FabricAtion reports thAt Jupither's new single "Last forever" will be out soon. Look for news about the band's forthcoming album to be announced shortly as well.

Swedish act Last Days of April will be playing a few select US dAtes in March including some gigs supporting The Lemonheads and special showcase shows in LA, SF and NYC. DAtes confirmed so far:

03/10 - The Brickhouse, Phoenix, AZ
03/11 - Ned's, Albuquerque, NM
03/13 - Granada TheAter, Dallas, TX