Norwegian techno act Mental Overdrive will finally be releasing the "Elephantastic!" single, first sold via eBay in an edition of 1, as a digital download on December 13. Rune Lindbaek will also contribute a remix (er, "RL multitrack edit"), but in the meantime, listen to it at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/mentaloverdrive
In other news, look for a number of hand-made CDR packages to be made available in the near future as well a new 12" single for "The rage" b/w "Wotta" to be released on Prins Thomas' Full Pupp label in January.

Low Frequency in Stereo recently mixed four new tracks, but are unsure as to what to do with them. Otherwise, they plan to enter Duper Studio in Bergen, Norway on January 23 to properly begin work on their next album.

Norwegian act Lorraine will release the new single "Saved" on December 10 on vinyl 7", limited to 1000 copies with each one being individually customised. The b-side will be the previously unreleased track "The mess that we are". As for digital, a 6-track version of the single will be available with remixes from Dave Armstrong & Redroche and MHC. Listen at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/lorrainemusic

Norwegian artist Rockettothesky is working on a new album for release next fall.

The Local on Cardigans frontwoman Nina Persson and her refurbishing of Stockholm-based department store PUB: https://www.thelocal.se/9099/

Danish rockers Gob Squad have signed with Dutch label Mascot Records who will bew releasing the band's new album "Watch the cripple dance" in January. Hear samples: https://www.myspace.com/gobsquad

Jettie's new album "Kites for charity" has now been confirmed for a physical release in the US on January 22 via Eyeball Records.

The Open Up and Bleeds have parted ways with drummer Andreas Ohlsson: https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=89829779&blogID=328500482

OT, but still possibly of interest to some readers: Slate on the evolution of black-metal and the environmentalism of (local to me) act Wolves in the Throne Room: https://www.slate.com/id/2177883/

Swedish metal act In Flames has resigned with Nuclear Blast. Their as-yet-untitled new album is tentatively set for release in April.

Jukka Kujansivu from Finnish act The Prisondream is working on a solo album for release next year.

The Je Sais Quoi will be putting a one-sided 12" on Dutch label Knife Slits Water in January. It will include one new track, an unreleased cut from the "Rhythm" sessions and some more surprises.

Said the Gramophone has a new track from Pet Politics: https://www.saidthegramophone.com/archives/since_this_isnt_cnncom.php

The Guardian discusses "death jazz" and drops a few notable Scandinavian names (Mats Gustafsson, The Thing, Scorch Trio, etc.) along the way: https://music.guardian.co.uk/jazz/story/0,,2207440,00.html

Rune Grammofon has announced that their first release for 2008 will be from Box, an international supergroup of sorts featuring Raoul Björkenheim (Scorch Trio), Ståle Storløkken (Supersilent, Humcrush), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, John Zorn) and Morgan Ågren (Zappa's Universe, Mats/Morgan, Flesh Quartet). No exact release date yet, but I'll keep you posted. Also on the way is a new 10th anniversary edition of their excellent "Money will ruin everything" compilation + book set featuring 2 CDs of mostly exclusive material from a wide range of Rune Grammofon artists - I have the first one and it is excellent. Later on in the year, look for new releases from Skyphone, Scorch Trio and Humcrush in the spring and then Arve Henriksen, Susanna, Huntsville and Jono El Grande later on. Plus a few TBA surprises, of course.