Today's new mp3 is from Finland's Boys of Scandinavia. Along with labelmates Viola, these guys are making some of the best retro-goth/new-wave dance-pop you can find. It would sound a bit out of place at your local Necropolis night or what-have-you. I think that's where a lot of the also-rans seem to go amiss - they forget that all the great bands from the 80s had a serious dark edge to them. Sure, it's got a nice beat that you can dance to, but it's also got a sinister, more mysterious side as well. BoS aren't just copying their influences either. There are obvious nods to all the usual suspects (I shouldn't have to list them, so I won't), but they've got something different that sets them apart. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't really matter 'cuz it's meant to be enjoyed, not dissected. If you like, m/store.php?item=125">you should buy it.

Updated tourdates for Denmark's Figurines:

01/28 - Steppeulven, Store Vega, Copenhagen (DK)
02/11 - By:larm, Tromsø (NOR) w/Spleen United
02/15 - muk, Geissen (GER)
02/16 - Café Cairo, Würzburg (GER)
02/17 - Schlachthof, Wiesbaden (GER)
02/18 - White Trash, Berlin (GER)
02/19 - Scheune, Dresden (GER)
02/20 - B 72, Vienna (AUS)
02/21 - Schoken, Stuttgart (GER)
02/22 - moritzbestei, Leipzig (GER)
02/23 - Alte Feuerwache, magdeburg (GER)
02/24 - Garage, Buxtahude (GER)
02/25 - Trinkhalle, Rheine (GER)
03/24 - KB, Copenhagen (DK) w/Kashmir

Norwegian label mas-Kina Recordings (Infidels Forever, Stargun, Rumble in Rhodos) has a new website: mas-kinarecordings.com/" target=_blank>https://www.mas-kinarecordings.com/

Lasse Lindh has posted a live set from a show at Nalen last October for free download: musikmedia.html" target=_blank>https://www.lasselindh.se/musikmedia.html

Check out some tracks from Circle Six, a crusty slowcore band in the vein of Switchblade, (older) Isis and so on: https://www.circlesix.net/ (under 'music')
The band features ex-members from Roswell, Dawn and Retaliation and is currently seeking a label.

Italian label Concubine Records will be putting out the new CD from Swedish hardcore/sludge/doom act The Jam Session. Erode Records will handle the vinyl. There's no release date, but you can hear samples here: myspace.com/thejamsessionmjolby" target=_blank>https://myspace.com/thejamsessionmjolby

Dark Dose posts a track from Norwegian artist Vali Forlatt: m/?p=106" target=_blank>https://darkdose.com/?p=106

Hello Saferide will have her song "Long lost penpal" featured in an episode of the new HBO series "Big love" starring Chloë Sevigny. Read more: mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6102" target=_blank>https://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6102

The latest music Export Finland newsletter is now online: musexfinland.fi/index.php?page=news&id=89" target=_blank>https://www.musexfinland.fi/index.php?page=news&id=89

Racing Ape has posted the video for "Ape ultimo" on their website: m/" target=_blank>https://www.racingape.com/

Popmatters reviews Amandine: matters.com/music/reviews/a/amandine-thisis.shtml" target=_blank>https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/a/amandine-thisis.shtml

Norway's Don Juan Dracula has broken up: m/" target=_blank>https://www.donjuandracula.com/
Disappointing. They were a fun band.

The long-lost Alog EP "Islands of memory" from 1999 has been recently rediscovered and will finally see the light of day and will be released in February with brand new artwork from magnus at Grandpeople. Also on the way is a new album called "Just recording" on EN/OF featuring all new tracks except for a couple tunes featured on the recent "Catch that totem!" archival comp. Albanian artist Anri Sala will be providing artwork. Lastly, Phonophani, the solo project of Alog member Espen Sommer Eide, will have its self-titled 1998 debut album reissued via Rune Grammofon with extra bonus material. No date yet, but the release is supposed to coincide with the upcoming "Generator X" Norwegian tour alongside various other like-minded musicians and video artists.

The guys from Gorgoroth just can't stay out of trouble: m/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=46329" target=_blank>https://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=46329

MP3: Boys of Scandinavia - Beautiful as a person

Today's new mp3 is from Finland's Boys of Scandinavia. Along with labelmates Viola, these guys are making some of the best retro-goth/new-wave dance-pop you can find. It would sound a bit out of place at your local Necropolis night or what-have-you. I think that's where a lot of the also-rans seem to go amiss - they forget that all the great bands from the 80s had a serious dark edge to them. Sure, it's got a nice beat that you can dance to, but it's also got a sinister, more mysterious side as well. BoS aren't just copying their influences either. There are obvious nods to all the usual suspects (I shouldn't have to list them, so I won't), but they've got something different that sets them apart. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't really matter 'cuz it's meant to be enjoyed, not dissected. If you like, m/store.php?item=125">you should buy it.

Boys of Scandinavia - Beautiful as a person