Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Americans! I'm not going to do a regular update today, but I did m/index.php?article=117">post some new reviews for your reading enjoyment. And don't forget to check out that m/index.php?article=115">Robyn interview from earlier this week! I'll be back tomorrow with your regularly scheduled programming. Cheers!

Baron Bane
s/t
Stupid Dream

Electronica and guitars has been combined numerous times in the past decade, with varying results. Baron Bane do it in a Crystal method style, although less big beat and more downbeat, although the big beat creeps its head in from time to time. One song is a dead ringer of The Gathering. It is not that good, not that bad either, but you feel like you are going to hear Richard Patrick or Beth Gibbons any moment. They totally lack a sound of their own.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Brighter Death Now
Kamikaze kabaret
Cold Meat Industry

Brighter Death Now has been a revelation to me in the past, perhaps the most important noise artist to me. Roger Karmanik has, in my opinion, a stature equivalent to one of the most recognizable name in noise: merzbow. "Kamikaze kabaret" reveals a BDN that is more accessible than ever and that goes back to a simpler sound, more alike Throbbing Gristle's experiments but taken to a level of refinements way beyond what TG was doing. Great record.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Debonair
Demo
self-released

Just when I start thinking that I never need to hear another Swedish melancholy rock band, along comes someone new that makes me take pause. Debonair's four-song demo shows serious potential. It's still a tad derivative, but the songs are strong and the recording is stellar. Give them a bit more time to develop their own personality and I think they've got a good chance to turn into something special.
- Avi Roig

The Incredible Steel Erectors
Bull muzika
self-released

You should know by now that I'm quite fond of noisy, angular indierock, so it's always nice to hear new acts keeping the torch lit. Despite the somewhat dubious name, tISE do a decent job with the classic Chicago/Touch & Go sound, adding in their own individual touches of artfullness. They start to lose me on the tracks where they get too overwhelmingly frenetic and funky, but the more mid-tempo material such as "Buzzcut" is rock-solid. Sometimes less is more, y'know?
- Avi Roig

Mother Goose
Obvious works
LampLite

Suddenly I am thrown back 15 years and listening to a Dead milkmen record. Not a good one at that. For those not in the know, the milkmen were this low-fi punk rock band from the eighties that had a large cult following and none of the songs to back it up. mother Goose have the same problem. It is all good to have a defined sound, but songwriting is important too.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Red Carpet
The noise of Red Carpet
If Society

The noise is not to be found here, rather what is on this record is a lot of good pop songs that cover a wide range of genre such as post-punk, punk, folk and rock. mostly based around voice and acoustic guitar it doesn't sound like a singer-songwriter gone lonely. Sounds a lot like David and the Citizens, which is not a bad comparison to be afflicted with. Not bad.
- Simon Thibaudeau

MP3: Eric Beyond - Democracy

Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the second best single of the year. The number one slot was secured by C.Aarmé back in April with "We are the world" and number two belongs to Sir Eric Beyond and the song "Democracy". mere words cannot do mr. Beyond justice, as any attempt to dissect his greatness is bound to fall short. Instead, let me encourage you to open your ears and listen. The genius is obvious.

Eric Beyond - Democracy

Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the second best single of the year. The number one slot was secured by C.Aarmé back in April with "We are the world" and number two belongs to Sir Eric Beyond and the song "Democracy". mere words cannot do mr. Beyond justice, as any attempt to dissect his greatness is bound to fall short. Instead, let me encourage you to open your ears and listen. The genius is obvious.

The first dates confirmed for the upcoming In Flames US tour:

01/25 - marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
01/28 - Avalon, Los Angeles, CA
01/30 - Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR
02/01 - Showbox, Seattle, WA
02/03 - Salt Air Pavilion, Salt Lake City, UT
02/04 - Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO

more soon.

The Project Hate has parted ways with Threeman Recordings and is currently seeking a new deal.

Swedish showcase nights in Paris:

12/06 - La flêche d'or w/Kristofer Åström, Laakso, Sahara Hotnights
12/07 - Centre Culturel Suedois (11 Rue Payenne 75003 Paris) w/Kristofer Åström, Laakso

Norwegian all-star band Cream of the Crop will be doing some dates in Norway in the second half of December. Check the Jaga Jazzist page for dates and details: m/v2/news.php" target=_blank>https://www.jagajazzist.com/v2/news.php

Icelandic label Smekkleysa has announced four new releases from Siggi Armann, Dikta , megasukk and Hairdoctor . Read more: mekkleysa.net/news/" target=_blank>https://www.smekkleysa.net/news/

Drowned in Sound reviews Finland's Disco Ensemble: m/release/view/6841" target=_blank>https://www.drownedinsound.com/release/view/6841