Old-school Swedish death metal act Infernal is back with guitarist/vocalist David Parland (Necrophobic, Dark Funeral) at the helm alongside fellow ex-Necrophobic guitarist Martin Halfdan and Dark Funeral bandmate drummer Tomas Asklund (Dissection, Gorgoroth). Listen to new demo tracks at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/officialinfernal
Long-running folk-influenced Finnish metal act Amorphis will be releasing the new album "Skyforger" in May.
Playground Music is reportedly shutting down their Norwegian office and will be taken over by Fairplay Entertainment: https://www.farojournalen.no/pages/nor/2760-playground_legger_ned_fairplay_tar_over
Considering it's the same people (or at least most?), isn't that just business as usual with a new name?
PopMatters reviews Peter Bjorn and John's new record "Living thing": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/72089-peter-bjorn-and-john-living-thing/
The Tarantula Waltz has parted ways with National Records: https://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=23921703&blogId=480527727
Expect a new label announcement shortly.
Nomethod has signed a new distribution deal with Border music so that means that their latest release, "Young punks are on the never-never" by Robert Svensson, will be getting a mid-priced rerelease with bonus tracks in the near future. The label also reports that Aerial's next album is mixed and ready to be mastered -- no release date on that one yet either, but I heard a rough cut and my mind was blown. Seriously, they aren't kidding when they say it sounds like Him Kerosene taken to the next level.
The Fine Arts Showcase's new album "Dolophine smile" is now streaming at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/thefineartsshowcase
Miss Li has a new website to coincide with the release of her new record "Dancing all the way home": https://www.missli.se/
Pitchfork reviews Sissy Wish's latest album "Beauties never die" which is apparently getting a US release this spring: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12841-beauties-never-die/
Cold Meat Industry will be releasing the debut album "A martyrium of white roses" from Danish darkwave/neofolk act Die Weisse Rose this coming May. Preview a few tracks at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/dieweisserose
Hybris has announced the signing of "Russian teenage runaway" Alias. Listen to his first single "Crazy time" at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/babyalias
Read more: https://hybrism.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-act-at-hybris-alias.html
Sounds like April Fools to me...
New European dates for Benni Hemm Hemm:
04/12 - The Bowery, Edinburgh (UK)
05/05 - Bevrijdingsfestival, Groningen (NL)
05/05 - Prinsenhof, Groningen (NL)
05/07 - Passionfruit Theatre, Athlone (IR)
05/08 - Whelans, Dublin (IR)
05/17 - Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh (UK) w/Hjaltalín
05/21 - The Bowery, Edinburgh (UK)
06/12 - Le Nouveau Monde, Fribourg (CH)
06/13 - B-Sides Festival, Lucerne (CH)
06/14 - Salzhaus, Winterthur, Zurich (CH)
06/16 - Chelsea, Vienna (AUS)
06/17 - KFZ, Marburg (GER)
06/19 - Reilfestival, Halle (GER)
06/21 - Umsonst und Draussen, Würzburg (GER)
06/22 - Club Strahov 007, Prague (CZ)
06/24 - Badeschiff, Berlin (GER)
06/25 - Fusion Festival, Lärz (GER)
06/26 - Beatpol, Dresden (GER)
06/27 - Hafen 2 Open Air Festival, Offenbach (GER)
PSL says that Markus Krunegård is now also working with Mauro Scocco on his forthcoming solo album, due out sometime around August/September: https://blogg.svt.se/psl/2009/03/31/extra-extra-mauro-scocco-gor-markus-krunegards-nya-album/
As promised, Viola's grand experiment with giving away their music begins with a new track called "Cute destroyer" which they say represents maybe a slight step back to our more guitar-oriented material." Head to their site to download: https://www.violamusicclub.com/
Lisa Ekdahl's new album "Give me that slow knowing smile", her first English-language release in nine years, will be released on April 8 in Sweden and also in 14 other countries as we get further into spring. Expect European tour dates to be announced soon, otherwise check out the title track streaming at myspace.