Tons of Scandinavian music is the latest Aquarius Records new release list including Hans Edler, Magyar Posse, Pan Sonic, Aavikko, Finntroll and more: https://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

EST/Esbjörn Svensson Trio will finally release their most recent album, the highly acclaimed "Seven days of falling", in the US on August 24 through 215 Records. Read more: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=3800

Rising from the ashes of Kinkaid, the new band Novak will release their debut single "It all works out in the end" on a white vinyl 7" on June 20 via Novoton Records. The recordings were engineered by Pierre Lindsjöö at his studio Konst&Ramar (Ceasars Palace, Dungen, Empire Dogs, Strip Music) and mixed by Linus Larsson (Ed Harcourt, Mercury Rev, Nicolai Dunger, Heikki). A full-length will follow in early September.

Tons more photos from Hultsfred now up at Rockfoto.nu.

This week's Scandinavian music reviews from Sellfish:

House of Mirrors - Nightflight to paradise
Peter Pan Speedrock - Loud, mean, fast & dirty
Psychopunch - Smashed on arrival

Check out the video for "Make it happen" from The Tough Alliance: https://www.dach.se/the%20tough%20alliance.mov

Kenneth Ishak of Norway's Beezewax will be playing solo at the Baybeats Festival in Singapore on July 18. His solo debut "Northern Exposure" should also be out in the US on PopKid Records around July as well. A video was recently filmed for the track "How you have grown" and it should be getting aired on Scandinavian TV soon.

In keeping with the theme set by the album of the month, I have posted some live tracks from Umeå's Cult of Luna. As mentioned numerous times, the current album of the month from Koma features two members from CoL. Enjoy!

Some news from A West Side Fabrication....

The rumors are true: there is indeed a Bear Quartet tribute in the works. 15 bands, out in August.
Also coming in August is an album from new signee Boy Omega, who they describe as Bright Eyes with the voice of Robert Smith from The Cure.
They also signed power-pop act/Monastir sideproject Holiday With Maggie and will release their new album "Skyline Drive" on June 30.
Lastly, Finland's Penniless will release "All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait" as their new single which will come with three unreleased b-sides.

Sähko Recordings has tracklist info and samples for the new Nicole Willis CD/2xLP: https://www.sahkorecordings.com/puu-31.php

Instead of announcing new bands one act at a time, the people behind the Hole in the Sky Festival have decided to squash the rumors and just announce the whole thing. Acts confirmed so far are Glenn Danzig (US), Entombed, Vader (POL), Katatonia, Aura Noir, Zyklon, Susperia, 1349, Manes (GER), Keep of Kalessin and Disiplin.

MIC Norway profiles three artists appearing at this year's Sonar electronic music festival in Spain: Maja Ratkje, Deathprod and Susanna and the Magical Orchestra: https://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004061810171838805218

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

01. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
02. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
03. Agnetha Fältskog - My Colouring Book
04. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten - Det Bästa
05. Carola - Credo
06. Gyllene Tider - Gt 25 - Samtliga Hits!
07. Di Leva - Tiden Faller
08. Günther & the Sunshine Girls - Pleasure Man
09. Shirley Clamp - Den Långsamma Blomman
10. Teddybears Sthlm - Fresh
11. The Solution - Communicate!
12. Peter Jöback - Det Här Är Platsen
13. Sandra Dahlberg - Här Stannar Jag Kvar
14. Per Gessle - Mazarin
15. Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell
16. Jimmy Jansson - Flickan Från Det Blå
17. Hans Martin - Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer
18. Infinite Mass - 1991
19. Petter - Ronin
20. Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye

Norwegian singer/songwriter Magnet aka Even Johansen reports he is about halfway done with a new album. No word on when he'll finish, as he is still doing a number of European festival appearances this summer such as the V Festival and Big Chill, both in the UK. In other news, he reports that he's working on a US release for "On Your Side" and hopes to have it out over here around September and should hopefully also tour in support.

Electro-rock group Sparkling has posted some new mp3s online: https://www.sparklingworld.com/sound.htm