I don't really pay much attention to new-school metal, but it makes sense that Scarred By Beauty won best upcoming talent at the most recent Danish Metal Awards because they really are one the best examples of where the genre is at nowadays. All the elements are in good balance: the heaviness, the melodies, the syncopation and technicality, the breakdowns. I hear similarities to bands such as Meshuggah, In Flames and The Psyke Project, but they also throw in a few curveballs like the Deftones, an influence they actually manage to incorporate much better than you might expect. Had I read it before I heard it, I would not have believed it, but these youngsters nail it. Still, not the sort of stuff I really care for, but there's no denying that they are damn good at it.
I've still got a bunch of work to do today dotting my i's and crossing my t's, so big ups to new contributor Stefan Nilsson for handling today's mp3 post:
As previously reported, I'm from Barcelona have undertaken an ambitious project where all 27 of their members have written one song each for their new album. The songs can be found on a triple vinyl (available to buy here) that is released today; they're also giving away the songs for free on their website, one per day starting today. First out is Daniel Lindlöf's song "Lower my head". It's a very good start for the 27 songs, there's a bit of an Interpol vibe and the chorus is very catchy. It also has that Joy Division/electro feel that recently has gone from being hip with the few to very popular with the masses. If all the 27 songs are as good as this, we're in for a real treat!
I'm From Barcelona - Lower my head (feat. Daniel Lindlöf)
Monzano never made much of an impression on me in the past, but their new record "By this time last year every thing will seem younger" (due out February 15 via ) is easily the best new thing I've heard so far in 2010. "Cold waters" was previously featured on volume 2 of the "Oslo" comp series and is the first song the band recorded for said album, an obvious example of leading with your best foot forward. I hear it as a toned-down take on the same sort of indie/rock territory covered by countrymates Lukestar -- similar androgynous vocals, similar twisting melodies and interweaving guitar lines, but with everything notched down a smidge. They never truly "rock out" per se, but they don't really need to (like the mandolin wasn't an immediate tip-off). As for the "Islands in the stream" references, this is definitely not anything close that duet's adult contemporary/soft-rock vibe, but I think they do emulate a bit of those Barry Gibb harmonies and a touch of his melodic lilt here. Say what you will about the Bee Gees, I think that's a good thing; this is a good song. Oh and good thing I picked up a Dolly Parton 7xLP boxset last weekend, or I might not have been able to cross-reference. I can't hang with most of her 80s output (cocaine sure did bad things to country back then), but there's more than enough good stuff in there to make it worthwhile.
Nice to hear someone emulating Samuraj Cities' haphazard bedroom-indie sound. The tools are rudimentary, but the ambitions are not -- Niels Nielsen makes lo-fi anthems, not 4-track scuzz. The lyrical sentiment of "We are youth" makes me feel old, but whatever, I guess I gotta get used to uppity kids who think they know it all. I was one of them once, too. Keep fighting the good fight and download the whole album this track comes from right here: https://nielsnielsen.bandcamp.com/
Folkvang are an unsigned act from Umeå, Sweden who play folksy instrumental music, not too far off from the sounds of Björn Olsson, but with a distinct Norrland touch. In fact, I'd say that "Folkvangs första" could be an Isolation Years song sans vocals; it's got that same sort of loping, easy-going melancholy sound I associate with the quieter acts of the region. Anyhow, the band has an album in the can, recorded by Christian Gabel (Bob Hund, Thåström, Hello Saferide, etc.) and mastered by Oskar Sasndlund (David Sandström Overdrive), but no label to release it... perhaps you might be interested?
The best new music is old, part II. Java was a somewhat short-lived instrumental act from Gävle, Sweden that formed out of the remains of the hardcore act Ashram. A mere footnote perhaps, but re-visitation might suggest otherwise. Also, consider that the 90s was a fertile time in Swedish hardcore, especially up in Norrland where you had acts such as Fireside, Breach, Refused and Starmarket; to say nothing of acts such as The Bear Quartet or Randy -- so many great bands, all from the same set of towns along the Bothnian coast. The year was 1996 and as such, Java embraced the zeitgeist and sought to expand the sound of modern hardcore as fragmented and moved towards postrock, a sound echoed in acts such as Slint, June of 44 and pretty much any act of that era. The remnants of the 90s 'core remains though, particularly on tracks like "Smokescreen" where you can hear the lingering effects of bands like Groundwork in the subtle mosh. Certainly not as overt as the stuff was putting out further north, but oh yeah, it's there and it's alright. Java never amounted to much in their day, they never played a show even, but they did record a demotape and has seen fit for its rerelease. There is certainly nostalgia for those of us who remember this time in music and saw it firsthand, but I'd assert that Java is simply a good band that never got heard. Until now, that is.
is Norway's best label and while I highly anticipate every release, getting something new from Haust is extra special because they are the label's best band. They have few peers when it comes to heavy, ugly, blackened hardcore. The band's next release before their sophomore album drops in May is a split 12" with fellow Oslo denizens Next Life, yet another one of Norway's best (more on them at a later date), and it offers us 4 new ragers including the one I'm giving to you today, "Skate rock". Once upon a time, skateboarding and punk/hardcore went hand in hand; I was never any good at it, but I definitely got lots of music tips via Thrasher and/or my skater friends. In fact, that's how I got into underground music in the first place. Nowadays it seems like skating is more hip-hop oriented, but perhaps it was a lack of anthems that drove them away -- hard to believe it's been 23 years since Suicidal Tendencies released "Possessed to skate". We need a new song and Haust provides. Drop out of life with board in hand?
The best new music is old, that's a fact. I may have an ever-increasing list of upcoming releases I'm excited about, but when I go to the record store I'm either thumbing through used bins or, more likely, checking out all of the excellent vinyl reissues that have been hitting the shelves. Another fact: wwo of 2009's best releases were from Death and Zero Boys, two mostly forgotten acts whose OG material smokes current up-and-comers. Similarly, the reissue of Nirvana 2002's discography by Relapse Records proves they don't make 'em like they used to when it comes to Swedish death metal. Yes, we are in a genre resurgence and there are plenty of fine acts out there keeping the flames burning, but I don't think any of them are this good. Nirvana 2002 was always a band I saw referenced in countless thank-you lists back in the day, but whose music I never heard, so I'm way stoked to finally get a chance to hear what I was missing and damn, I was missing a lot. Not all lost gems are worth recovering, but this one certainly qualifies.
"Slumber" first appeared on the "Disembodied spirits" EP back in 1990, released by Fredrik Holmgren's , the precursor to (not that you'd know it style-wise). This particular version is newly remixed for the reissue and sounds much clearer and more brutal than the original, but even that take is included on the flip of the LP just in case you miss the tape hiss. In case it wasn't obvious, the sound is pure Sunlight Studios, the blueprint for the burgeoning genre to come. And of course, the song itself totally slays. It's a fact!
I didn't listen to the new Thee Gutted String"Christmastime In Hagarna" EP back when it first posted over my brief winter break because I didn't really listen to any music over break. Instead, I enjoyed the silence of a clear mind and the company of family, a much-welcome respite for tired ears. When I did get to it however, it was immediately after sampling David Åhlén's new EP, so a compare/contrast was inevitable. David's music is, as always, pure holy devotion, and both him and Thee Gutted String perform (mostly) solo and acoustic on these new releases, but the latter is far more secular, corporeal. They do however cross paths though on "White", a song whose refrain asserts the denial of God. It could be argued that such sentiments are irreligious or even anti-religious, but I think that the struggle to attain spirituality is religion, despite the outcome. Defining the absence lends it power; a crisis of faith is still faith. Churches and denominations are irrelevant, the personal experience trumps all and in that way, both artists are exploring the same territory. 'Tis the season.
Hell yes, Voices Break the Silence are back and apparently there's even a new album on the way. This is the first taste and it's a killer slice of Swedish noiserock, albeit also revealing a slightly poppier direction for the band. Whatever, makes no difference to me -- I'm stoked on it regardless. More details forthcoming?
Might as well turn this into an annual tradition; you get what you deserve: "No presents for Christmas"
I'll continue to post top 10 lists every day until 2010, but don't expect regular updates to pick up again until January 4. In the meantime, I'll be polishing up a few small changes on the site revamp I have in the works and will be enjoying some much-needed time off. Happy holidays!
All we long for / is blissful living
Come hear the clarity / Of our whistling
The final track of Björn Kleinhenz's excellent "B.U.R.M.A." album, a succint examination of his time spent on the namesake island and also, in my opinion, one of the more beautiful songs I've heard this year. As I touched on in my top 10 list, Björn is a prolific songwriter of consistently high quality, but he far exceeded all expectations with the two albums he released this year and I couldn't be happier for him. I'm proud to be a supporter.
Still in SF, still lacking the time and resources to post new music, but we've got an It's a Trap! Clubnight at Debaser Malmö coming up this weekend, so that gives me a perfect excuse to post a track from headliners Sator. For those who are unfamiliar with the group, I'd suggest taking a look at the extensive biography they have posted on their website. As you can see, the band is a tremendously important part of Swedish music history and I'm thrilled they're playing, even if I can't be there myself. But you're going, right? If you're anywhere near Malmö, you really have no excuse. "Escape from Pigvalley Beach" is a more recent track from the band and it comes off their 2006 album "Basement noise". Compare it to some of their older work and you probably won't notice much of a difference, aside from the production. Live, I'm sure it fits in just fine.
I'm working in an office in SF this week, so in case you haven't already noticed, posting will be a bit on the lighter side. I don't intend to leave you completely empty-handed though, so to follow up on Friday's post praising Tiger/Diger/Fysisk Format, here's another fine act that came to me through them. Can't say I know much about Kråkesølv, but they sound like a restrained version of Lukestar so of course I'm all about it. They don't rock out quite as hard and the vocals stay within normal human range, but they've got similar styles as far as noisy-leaning indierock with busy drums and charming melodies go. "Skredder" is the lead track from new album "Trådnøsting" and it's a perfect introduction, layering on subtle vocal harmonies as it builds to a halting climax. I have to be honest, 80% of the new music I hear from Norway tends to be mediocre garbage that's always erring on the wrong side of tame. This is not.