finnish prog act Alamaailman Vasarat reports that they are done with their new album "Maahan" and have two teasers tracks posted for download: https://www.vasarat.com/

Via One Chord to Another comes word that finnish indiepop act Puny will be releasing their new album "It kills you" on January 24 and also have a single available for free download at their website: https://www.punysounds.com/

2007 marks the 20th anniversary of legendary Swedish dark ambient/industrial/noise label Cold Meat Industry and they're celebrating by launching two new offshoots, the first being a DVD imprint entitled Cold Meat Visions. The first release will be a collection of short films from Martin Bladh (IRM/Skin Area) this coming spring. As for the second new imprint, nothing's been revealed yet, but it will be announced soon.
In other CMI news, the label has signed Pimentola, their first finnish artist. Listen to samples here: https://www.myspace.com/coldmeatindustry

finnish act Montevideo has posted the video for the single "Come clean": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPzGIbACKM

New tourdates for finnish act Jolly Jumpers:

02/09 - Vieska, Ylivieska (FIN)
02/22 - Franzis, Wetzlar (GER)
02/23 - Atomino, Chemnitz (GER)
02/24 - Cafe Glocksee, Hannover (GER)
02/25 - Kunstkeller, Fürth (GER)
02/27 - Mausefalle, Bonn (GER)
02/28 - Viktor, Augsburg (GER)
03/01 - Cafe Kairo, Bern (CH)
03/02 - Kraftfeld, Winterthur (CH)
03/03 - Bierstindl, Innsbruck (AUS)
04/04 - Wanha Jokela, Joensuu (FIN)
04/05 - Bar 68, Jyvaskyla (FIN)
04/06 - Semifinal, Helsinki (FIN)
04/07 - Vastavirta, Tampere (FIN)
04/08 - Henry's Pub, Kuopio (FIN)

American pop producer Timbaland is accused of ripping off finnish artist Janne Suni and here's the proof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4KX7SkDe4Q
Seems pretty blatant to me, so spread the word!

Laakso's finnish alter-ego has recenly posted some new tracks on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/laaksofi
The band is currently in the studio recording with producer/Bear Quartet guitarist Jari Haapalainen who is also apparently contributing quite a bit of his own musicianship to the proceedings.

Spinefarm has announced that finnish humppa-metallers Finntroll will release their fifth album "Ur Jordens djup" ("From the depths of the Earth") on March 28.

Musique Machine reviews finnish act Kuusumun Profeetta: https://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=1050
Also there today is a review of Geir Jensse (Biosphere): https://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=1049

finnish accordian master Kimmo Pohjonen is teaming up with Trey Gunn (ex-King Crimson) and Pat Mastelotto (ex-King Crimson, XTC, more) in their guise as KTU and will be touring and recording new material this coming year. Fourth member Samuli Kosminen is currently taking a break from the group, but will rejoin them for gigs later this spring. Dates announced so far:

01/29 - Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland (FIN)
01/30 - Klubi, Tampere (FIN)
01/31 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä (FIN)
03/07 - Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA
03/09 - Canadian Music Week, Toronto, ONT (CAN)
03/12 - Knitting Factory, NYC, NY
03/14 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/20 - Drum Pad Presents @ Durty Nellie's, Chicago (Palatine), IL
03/22 - Festival de México en el Centro Histórico, Mexico City (MEX)
03/23 - Festival de México en el Centro Histórico, Mexico City (MEX)

finnish alt-country act The Latebirds will come to the US in February to record a new album with Jim Scott (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, Wilco).

New dates for finnish doom metallers Callisto:

01/19 - Kuudes linja, Helsinki (FIN)
02/18 - Romeijn, Leeuwarden (HOL)
02/19 - Bitterzoet, Amsterdam (HOL)
02/20 - tba
02/21 - Ex-Haus, Trier (GER)
02/22 - Orange House, München (GER)
02/23 - tba, Bolzano (ITA)
02/24 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
02/25 - tba
02/26 - Knaack, Berlin (GER)
03/09 - El Mocamb (Canadian Music Week), Toronto (CAN)
03/11 - Sin-é, NYC
03/14 - SXSW, Austin, TX

Check out the video for "Teenage tiger" from finnish act The Micra Girls: https://www.themicragirls.com/jee/video/micravideo.html

Forthcoming releases on the way from finnish label Some Place Else in the next few months:

Mockingwyrd - Cracks in the Void 3" CDR
Moljebka Pvlse - Sadalsuud CD
No Xivic & Gelsomina - tba CD
Niko Skorpio - tba 7"

The label is also working on plans to celebrate their 10th anniversary this year with a book+CD release, but few details have been confirmed so far.

Combat Rock has announced that they've signed finnish punk act Confusa and will be releasing their self-titled debut album this coming spring. Upstart label Seiskahai will handle the CD version. Listen to samples: https://www.myspace.com/confusaband