MIC Norway profiles three artists appearing at this year's Sonar electronic music festival in Spain: Maja Ratkje, Deathprod and Susanna and the Magical Orchestra: https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004061810171838805218

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish albums:

01. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
02. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
03. Agnetha Fältskog - My Colouring Book
04. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten - Det Bästa
05. Carola - Credo
06. Gyllene Tider - Gt 25 - Samtliga Hits!
07. Di Leva - Tiden Faller
08. Günther & the Sunshine Girls - Pleasure Man
09. Shirley Clamp - Den Långsamma Blomman
10. Teddybears Sthlm - Fresh
11. The Solution - Communicate!
12. Peter jöback - Det Här Är Platsen
13. Sandra Dahlberg - Här Stannar jag Kvar
14. Per Gessle - Mazarin
15. Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell
16. jimmy jansson - Flickan Från Det Blå
17. Hans Martin - Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer
18. Infinite Mass - 1991
19. Petter - Ronin
20. Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye

Norwegian singer/songwriter Magnet aka Even johansen reports he is about halfway done with a new album. No word on when he'll finish, as he is still doing a number of European festival appearances this summer such as the V Festival and Big Chill, both in the UK. In other news, he reports that he's working on a US release for "On Your Side" and hopes to have it out over here around September and should hopefully also tour in support.

The Guardian reviews the new Kings of Convenience album: https://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1241157,00.html
So does the Independent: joyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/story.jsp?story=532731" target=_blank>https://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/story.jsp?story=532731
(via jmartian.blogspot.com" target=_blank>Dj Martian)

Three online music shops just opened in Sweden:

https://musikshop.gp.se/ (run by GP/Göteborgs-Posten, a big daily newspaper)
https://download.cdon.com/ (online retailer CDON)
https://www.poplife.se/ (brand new site)

As you can see, there's a remarkable similarity between the three of them. That's because Poplife are the people behind the scenes who put everything together. Same system, same catalogue. Purchases are only allowed to be made from Sweden, as I understand that IP addresses are being checked.

Emmon aka Emma Nylén from the synthpop band Paris now has a website for her solo project: https://emmonmusic.listen.to/

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Promoe - These Walls Don´t Lie
02. HIM - Solitary Man
03. Nightwish - Nemo
04. A-Teens - I Promised Myself
05. Venke Knutson - Scared
06. Petter - Repa skivan
07. The Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll
08. C21 - All That I Want
09. Eskobar - Bring The Action
10. Kashmir - Aftermath
11. Christian Walz - Maybe Not
12. Tungtvann - Slepp Dae Laus
13. Blue Foundation - End Of The Day
14. Elastinen - Syljen
15. 21st Century Noise - It´s Alright It´s Ok
16. Winta - I Want You
17. Whyte Seeds - Black Key Song
18. Bergman Rock - jim
19. jens Lekman - You´re The Light
20. Elin Sigvardsson - A Person Called She

Challengers:
01. Sugarplum Fairy - Stay Young
02. Dallas Superstars - Crazy
03. Malk De Kojin - Fågt Op I Skalle
04. Division Of Laura Lee - Does Compute
05. Nik & jay - En dag tilbage
06. Sahara Hotnights - Hot Night Crash

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite. They are also taking votes for your favorite summer songs over there as well.

Finnish 'harsh noise' label Toiko now has their first two releases available:

tok-01 Koje / Hombre Muerto - Goatzsche (split C30 cassette)
tok-02 Koje - Dustfly (3"cdr)

More info: https://toiko.no-input.net/

Blackend Records will be reissuing a couple classic Swedish metal releases in the near future. First up is the debut EP from At the Gates "Gardens of Grief" which has now been remastered and will be out on july 5. Next up is the "Metal Militia" Metallica tribute featuring all sorts of all-stars from the early/mid 90s Göteborg metal scene such as In Flames, Luciferion, Ceremonial Oath, Dark Tranquility and Snotrocket (who sound awfully similar to ATG). I haven't listened to my copy of this thing in years, but it's cool to see that it'll be available once again. That comes out july 26. They are also reissuing the Black Sun Records tribute to Sepultura. It's got your usual suspects such as Impious, Gardenian, Dimension Zero as well as Deathwitch, Swordmaster, Lord Belial, Children of Bodom and more. It comes out September 27. And that's not all, the next albums in line for reissue are the classics "The Burning" and "Eternal Death" from The Crown, from what I think were still their Crown of Thorns days. The former comes out july 5, the latter on September 9. Last, but not least, look for the reissue of "Spiritually Uncontrolled Art" from Liers in Wait. This amazing band featured Kristian Wåhlin and Hans Nilsson from Diabolique/The Great Deceiver following the breakup of pre-At the Gates band Grotesque. There were some other dudes who came and went as well and Christopher johnsson from Therion did guest vocals on this sole recording. Good stuff. That comes out August 9. As for the future, the label says they'll be doing even more reissues this winter featuring artists like Sacrilege (SWE) and Diabolique, who have always been one of my favorites. More details when I get them.

Sator side-project The Wild Kings report that they have finished work on their "Down at Wild Kingdom" 7". The b-side will be a live cover of "Career of Evil" by Blue Oyster Cult, and if that's not 'wild' enough for you, it will be released by the label Wild Kingdom.

Desert Planet's 2001 album "Asteroid Hopper" is nearly sold-out in physical form, but it's now available for purchase as mp3s from Zonkmusic.com: https://www.zonkmusic.com/album.php?albumid=65
Zonk Music was founded by sci-fi/fantasy/progressive music composer and producer Bjorn Lynne.

Finland's Wasted will record their third album in july, tentatively titled "Heroes Among Thieves". It will be released by Combat Rock Industry when it's ready.

Candlelight Records will release Einherjer's most recent and final album "Blot" in the US on August 10.

New artists confirmed for the Malmö Festival: Mattias Alkberg läser poesi, Darling Desperados, Under Byen, Ramses Revolution, Moder jords Massiva, Sophie Rimheden, Livekaraokeshow and more. Details: https://www.malmofestivalen.nu/

I now have joined the elite with a Google gmail account and can be reached via aviroig at gmail dot com. Please update your contact lists, thanks.