Splendid reviews another St. Thomas record: https://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=1088763421249608

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish albums:

01. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
02. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
03. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
04. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten - Det Bästa
05. Robert Wells - Rhapsody In Rock Anniversary
06. Gyllene Tider - Gt 25 - Samtliga Hits!
07. Agnetha Fältskog - My Colouring Book
08. Teddybears Sthlm - Fresh
09. Charlotte Perrelli - Gone Too Long
10. Peter Jöback - Det Här Är Platsen
11. Günther & the Sunshine Girls - Pleasure Man
12. Hans Martin - Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer
13. Noice - 24
14. Shirley Clamp - Den Långsamma Blomman
15. Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye
16. Carola - Credo
17. Infinite Mass - 1991
18. Per Gessle - Mazarin
19. Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell
20. The Solution - Communicate!

Wtf? The day after Dagensskiva publishes their guide to heavy metal (see yesterday's news), Aftonbladet has to do the same? Okay, whatever.

Pitchfork approves of the new Hives single: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/wearetheworld/04-07-16.shtml
I've only spun the new record a couple times so far, but my first impression is definitely positive. The production from PMA Gunnerfeldt is undoubtedly first rate. But don't just listen to me - listen for yourself. MTVe has the entire album up for streaming: https://www.nordic.mtve.com/features/cms/index.asp?id=1006000000000279&type=1&page=1

Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Promoe - These Walls Don´t Lie
02. Nightwish - Nemo
03. The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk
04. Nik & Jay - En dag tilbage
05. Venke Knutson - Scared
06. Elastinen - Syljen
07. Kings Of Convenience - I´d Rather Dance With You
08. Sahara Hotnights - Hot Night Crash
09. Various Artists - I Kan Ikke Slå Os Ihjel
10. A-Teens - I Promised Myself
11. Eskobar - Bring The Action
12. Petter - Repa skivan
13. Euroboys - One Way Street
14. Teddybears STHLM - Hey Boy
15. The Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll
16. Marit Bergman - I´ll Always Be Your Soldier
17. Deportees - Arrest Me ´Til It Hurts
18. Bergman Rock - Jim
19. Lordi - Blood Red Sandman
20. Safari - Crazy Dream Crazy Days

Challengers:
01. Infinite Mass - The Thief
02. Kemopetrol - My Superstar
03. Her Majesty - The Past Is Not A Good Idea
04. Gunnar - Haunted Honey Moon
05. Captain Murphy - Daddy Can Dance
06. Sondre Lerche - Days That Are Over

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.

Ideal Recordings has updated their release schedule:

iDEAL019 - Contemporary Punk Unit - "The Renaissance Fix" 12"EP (September)
iDEAL022 - Andreas Tilliander - "Dutty & Digital" 12"EP (Aug. 9)
iDEAL017 - Comb & Prosperous - "Two of a Kind" LP (Aug. 9)
iDEAL023 - Knife & Ape - 7" ltd 500 copies (when hell freezes over)
iDEAL024 - Ass Galaxy - "Bomb Ne, Bomb Me, Bomb Me" one-sided 7" ltd 200 copies (Aug. 9)

The Rasmus will release the song "Guilty" as their next single, either later this month or in August, depending on where you are in the world. The UK gets in August 9 for what it's worth. A video for the song was filmed in Los Angeles last May with director Nathan Cox and should be hitting TV soonish. Up next, the band plans to conquer the East and is heading over that way for promo activities from July 16 to the 24th. Their most recent album "Dead Letters" hits Japan on July 21. Otherwise, it's just more touring in the band's future. Here's the latest:

08/01 - Ankkarock, Helsinki (FIN)
08/04 - Liseberg; Göteborg (SWE)
08/07 - Sziget Festival, Budapest (HUN)
08/08 - Castle Clam, Linz (AUS)
08/14 - Astra Fest, Hamburg (GER)
08/15 - Leuven City Festival (BEL)
08/20 - Mont Soleil Festival (SWI)
08/21 - Gampel Open Air (SWI)
08/22 - Istambul (TUR)
08/29 - Reading Festival (UK)
09/02 - Tallinn, Club Hollywood (EST)
09/03 - Riga, Skonto Stadium (LAT)
09/11 - Fete De Humanite, Paris (FRA)
09/18 - Paris, Elysee Montmatre (FRA)
09/30 - Hamburg, Docks/Grosse Freiheit (GER)
10/02 - Berlin, Columbiahalle (GER)
10/04 - Koln, Palladium (GER)
10/07 - Munich, Muffathalle (GER)
10/14 - St Petersburg, Manezh (RUS)
10/15 - St Petersburg, Manezh (RUS)
10/16 - Mtv Russia Awards, Kremlin, Moscow (RUS)
10/17 - Moscow, Dkg Theatre (RUS)

Universal is saying the new Soundtrack of Our Lives album won't be out in the US until next year. As far as I know, it's still on for an October release in Europe.

Filled has a new website design up: https://www.filled.nu/

Dagensskiva presents the 'Metallhandboken' webguide to metal: https://www.dagensskiva.com/artiklar/metallhandboken/index.asp (in Swedish)
Looks like a pretty good read. Too bad my Swedish skills are totally lacking. Is Lord K's review of Nightwish on Global Domination already (in)famous enough that it deserves mention? Guess so.

Peter, Bjorn and John will be releasing a cover of "Teen Love" by The Concretes as their next single on September 8. It will include two bonus tracks as well. As for the new full-length, that's coming out on October 6.

Nasum is hinting that there will be news about their new album posted on their website next week.

Ariel Kill Him European tourdates:

08/16 - Astra Stube, Hamburg
08/18 - Dreikönigskeller, Frankfurt
08/20 - Kremblin, Bilbao
08/21 - Takio Destruction Fest, Torrelavega
08/22 - Xoldo Club, Galicia
08/23 - Malas Companias, Majadahonda
08/24 - Teteria, Ubeda
08/26 - Groovy Club, Grao Castellon
08/27 - Stereo, Alicante
08/28 - Centre Civic La Fonteta, St. Feliu
08/29 - Ieper Fest @ Vort'n'vis, Ieper
08/30 - Cafe Dwaze Zaken, Amsterdam

Empire Dogs have posted a bunch of pictures from their recent to trip to London and the video shoot for "Oh, Lord!": https://www.empiredogs.com/bilder_e.htm

It's finally been confirmed: David Fridlund of David & the Citizens will be putting out his first solo album this coming fall through Adrian Recordings. Keep a lookout for upcoming live dates where you'll be able to preview the new material.

Bad Taste Records has made a website for the label's offshoot live booking and promotion company Bad Taste Events: https://www.badtasteevents.com/