It looks like Thomas Troelsen (Superheroes, Private) might be producing The Raveonettes' next album: myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=4263957&blogId=479277262" target="_blank">https://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=4263957&blogId=479277262
Swedish doom trio Kongh reports that their new album "Shadows of the shapeless" is finished and confirmed for release on may 15 via Trust No One. 5 songs, 57 minutes, so you know it's a major epic. There's also word of a pending US release in a addition to a 2LP version, but no dates yet on either. Listen to samples of two tracks at myspace: myspace.com/kongh" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/kongh
Rune Grammofon TLRC WTF? See: mmofon.com/tlrc/" target="_blank">https://www.runegrammofon.com/tlrc/
New European dates for I'm From Barcelona:
05/23 - Schüür, Luzern (CH)
05/24 - manufaktur, Schorndorf (GER)
05/25 - Rockhouse, Salzburg (AUS)
05/26 - A38, Budapest (Hungary)
05/27 - PPC, Graz (AUS)
05/28 - Pauk, Zagreb (CRO)
05/29 - Europavox festival @ Cooperative de mai, Clermont Ferrand (FRA)
05/30 - ARTROCK festival @ Poulain Corbion, St, Brieuc (FRA)
05/31 - Aéronef, Lille (FRA)
I seem to remember Taake being reviled back in the day for using too many keyboards, but that's definitely not the case on his latest album as this is pure, cold Norwegian black-metal. Pure, as in purely by-the-book though; regardless of however long he's been making music (or stirring up controversy), nothing can hide the fact that this record (the third in a trilogy) is boring. Or maybe I'm just over this style of cold black metal. I like the various NWOBHm-touches on the riffs and some bits of the doomy breakdown, but it never really goes anywhere. It just keeps going and going and going and going... until it finally peters out. Why bother?
Taake - Umenneske
Ex-The motorhomes vocalist mattias Edlund will release his debut solo album "I am John" under the name John mE on April 8. Samples (and Swedish tourdates) at myspace: myspace.com/johnmemusic" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/johnmemusic
Hate to say it, but as a motorhomes fan, I am underwhelmed.
magnus Lindberg, the singer/songwriter from Grymlings -- not the Cult of Luna member nor the Finnish composer, will release his new album "Ett eget liv" on April 22.
Eardrums' new free spring download compilation will be unveiled on Saturday, march 28: msmusic.com/2009/03/26/live-blogging-the-new-eardrums-compilation-on-saturday/" target="_blank">https://eardrumsmusic.com/2009/03/26/live-blogging-the-new-eardrums-compilation-on-saturday/
Better late than never, renown tech site Boing Boing finally discovers Finland's Desert Planet: methemed-finnish-m.html" target="_blank">https://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/25/gamethemed-finnish-m.html
Scandinavians representing at this year's Great Escape Festival in Brighton, England include team Norway: The New Wine, Harrys Gym, Thomas Dybdhal, Casiokids, I Was A King, Tommy Tokyo and Starving For my Gravy and Datarock; Sweden: The Deer Tracks, A Sad Day for Puppets and Dag for Dag; Finland: TV Off and Jaakko and Jay; and finally, repping for Iceland: Hjaltalín and Lay Low. Details: m/" target="_blank">https://www.escapegreat.com/
Popmatters reviews Fever Ray: matters.com/pm/review/71581-fever-ray-fever-ray/" target="_blank">https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/71581-fever-ray-fever-ray/
Norwegian indie act The megaphonic Thrift has signed an international record deal with upstart label Deadly People run by ex-modular label boss Phil Hutcheon. Look for their debut 7" "Acid blues" to get a wider rerelease this summer followed by a digital EP in the fall and a full-length in 2010.
Ida maria takes precedence over Glasvegas in this interview/show preview piece at the Washington Post Express due to bad cell phone connections and impenetrable Scottish brogues: m/content/2009/03/three_chords_the_truth_ida_maria_glasveg.php" target="_blank">https://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/03/three_chords_the_truth_ida_maria_glasveg.php
Also profiled at WaPo Express: Faroese viking metallers Tyr: m/content/2009/03/mythical_creatures_tyr.php" target="_blank">https://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/03/mythical_creatures_tyr.php
mIC Norway profiles Hardanger fiddle player Nils Økland on the occaision of his debut solo release "monograph" on ECm: mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2009032614293275158159" target="_blank">https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2009032614293275158159
Danish indie duo Snake and Jet's Amazing Bullit Band will release their sophomore album "Peace boat" on April 20 via Crunchy Frog.