Kingsize magazine is presenting a free mp3 from HighWon off his new mix CD "De misstänkta": magazine.se/" target=_blank>https://www.kingsizemagazine.se/

Via ms.blogspot.com/2006/05/22-new-project-from-members-of-gaate.html">Eardrums comes word that magnus Robot Børmark and Sveinung Sundli of the Norwegian avant-goth/folk act Gåte have a new band called 22. Can't get much more Google-unfriendly than that! Anyhow, you can listen to a few songs at myspace: myspace.com/thisis22" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/thisis22
Reminds me a bit of mew 'cept with more of a caterwauling/Jeff Buckley-esque singer.

Swedish hardcore act Dead Reprise reports that their new mCD "Death of a nation" will finally be out on June 2 and the band will celebrate with a record release show at Folkets Hus in Örebro before heading out on some dates in Northern Europe. Here's what's booked so far:

06/02 - Folkets Hus, Örebro (SWE) w/Damien, Ticking Bombs, Spiteful
06/03 - mariaberget, Västerås (SWE)
06/05 - tba
06/06 - Café De Oude Ketel, Heist-Op-Den-Berg (BEL) w/Justice
06/07 - Le Bierstube, Tournai (BEL) w/Down my Throat, St Hood
06/08 - tba
06/09 - AJZ, Leisnig (GER) w/The Warriors, To Kill, Icepick, FC Five
06/10 - Koornbeurs Corefest, Delft (NL) w/Angel Crew, Settle The Score
08/04 - Sucks 'n' Summer, Leisnig (GER) w/No Innocent Victim, Caliban, Deadsoil
08/05 - Augustibuller, Lindesberg (SWE) w/Sick Of It All, Rise And Fall, Raised Fist, No Fun At All
09/08 - Deadfest, Linköping (SWE) w/100 Demons, Sworn Enemy, Kickback, Parkway Drive, Arkangel, Caliban

Swedish act Closer has revamped their website a bit: m/" target=_blank>https://closersounds.com/
I should be getting physical copies of their excellent debut EP "Tokpela" very soon! In the meantime, paid mp3s are still available: m/store.php?item=145">[click here]

Upcoming international dates for Swedish singer/songwriter Christian Kjellvander:

06/08 - Chalk Farm @ Barfly, London (UK)
06/21 - Centre Culturel Suedois, Paris (FRA) w/Anna Ternheim, Ane Brun, The Tiny, Wendy mcNeill
06/29 - Cultural Center in Palma/Waiting for Waits festival, Palma, mallorca (ESP)

For a full list of dates including his Swedish tour supporting Lars Winnerbäck, go here: m/" target=_blank>https://www.christiankjellvander.com/

Danish act Green Concorde has posted three new tracks on myspace: myspace.com/greenconcorde" targe=t_blank>https://www.myspace.com/greenconcorde
The band says they have a total of 12 new tracks and are looking to release it somewhere.

Serena maneesh are giving away a free download of the "Drain cosmetics" b-side "Sapphire eyes" in exchange for signing up on their mailing list: mpunited.com/ecards/serena-maneesh/index.html" target=_blank>https://www.ampunited.com/ecards/serena-maneesh/index.html

A new German-language blog on Nordic music: https://www.polarblog.de/

Stylus reviews the new record from BWO aka Bodies Without Organs: magazine.com/reviews/bwo/halcyon-days.htm" target=_blank>https://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/bwo/halcyon-days.htm

Global Domination talks to Secthdamon of Zyklon and myrkskog: mination.se/interviews/zyklon-secthdamon" target=_blank>https://www.globaldomination.se/interviews/zyklon-secthdamon

Finnish music blog Lupatarkastaja on new tracks from Lolita Stasi: mizdat.info/2006/05/09/lolita-stasi-new-songs/" target=_blank>https://lupatarkastaja.samizdat.info/2006/05/09/lolita-stasi-new-songs/

Check out Swedish post-hardcore act Vi, yet another amazing act featuring a member from Iisole: myspace.com/vi2006" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/vi2006

Of all the original Norwegian black-metal acts, Enslaved has always been one of the best, most progressive bands. While others like Darkthrone refuse to change and bands like Emperor reverted back to exploring their tech/death-metal roots before breaking up, Enslaved consistently expanded on their so-called "viking metal" sound by incorporating even more grandiose melodies, clean expressive singing (and the use of English as opposed to their insistence of only speaking in old Norse) and weird psychedelic parts. I wasn't too stoked on the last two albums "Isa" and "Below the lights" since I considered them a bit of a regression following the brilliance of "monumension" and "mardraum", but the new record "Ruun" is a return to form. They've ditched the recycled Darkthrone grim/necro/kvlt-style riffage and gone back to what makes them great: more Voivod-esque syncopation and dissonance, less atonal droning. I had a hard time deciding on a standout track since the whole thing flows really well as an album, so I've posted the title track for you today. It has all the traits that make Enslaved great, so I think it's a good place to start.

This week's profile piece? It's a spotlight on Convoj - check it: m/index.php?article=184">[click here]

Got a HUGE stack of merch from Danish label PonyRec that just arrived on my doorstep. Besides new CDs from both munck//Johnson and Halph, I also now have beautiful 12" vinyl copies of most everything they've put out. Sound quality arguments aside, nothing beats the sight, feel and smell of fresh vinyl. Look for items to be added to the webstore shortly.