Norwegian act Frost has recorded a cover of "Messages" by OMD for what I assume will be an eventual single release. The song had been a live favorite of the group for some time now.

Fonal Records will be repressing the Kemialliset Ystävät album "Kellari Juniversumi" this coming April with a special new 20-page booklet. But don't fear if you already bought it already, the booklet will also be available for purchase separately if you're a completist. Also look out for something new from Paavoharju from Fonal in April as well.

Check out a streaming sample of the new King Midas single "City sounds": https://www.kingmidas.no/city_sounds.html
The track comes from the band's as-yet-untitled new album, due out in March.

Björn Kleinhenz will be releasing a split CD in April with Rob and the Pinhole Stars. Each act will contribute three songs and it should be out in April via the German label Mi Amante.

Lots of new Scandinavian music reviews over at Aversionline:

Zweizz - "Black Necrotic Obfuscation"
Frantic Bleep - "The Sense Apparatus"
Origami Galaktika - "Live in Central Europe"
Audiopain - "The Traumatizer"

You probably already heard, but Kent will be debuting their new single "Max 500" at the upcoming Swedish Grammy awards on February 7. The single itself comes out two days later and includes the b-sides "M" and "Välgärningar & illdåd".

Check out the brand new Moneybrother single and video "They're building walls around us": https://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=5333

The MTV UpNorth chart is back with a new full list of contenders: https://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753

Splendid gives props to The Je Ne Sais Quoi: https://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1105354941730763

Lost at Sea reviews Thirdimension: https://www.lostatsea.net/LAS/archives/reviews/records/thirdimension.htm

Tabu Records, one of Norway's biggest metal labels, now has an official website online: https://www.taburec.com/

PopMatters reviews Nightwish: https://popmatters.com/music/reviews/n/nightwish-once.shtml

Download a track from the upcoming Nightrage album: https://mp4.centurymedia.com/audio/nightrage_beingnothing.mp3

The UK's OMM (Observer Music Monthly) picks Norway's Annie as one of their top five acts to watch in 2005: https://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1395948,00.html

Madrugada's planned free show/video shoot in London this week has been postponed to due an unfortunate scheduling conflict. More info when I get it.