Ektro Records will be releasing the new album "Predatress" from Finnish cult speed metal legends Solitiare, their fourth overall. No exact release date yet, but you can listen to samples here: https://www.ektrorecords.com/ektro.php

Crucified Barbara's new album "'Til death do us party" will be officially released on February 11 in Scandinavia, February 27 elsewhere throughout Europe.

As promised, here is a brand new song from Finnish melancholy pop act Viola: https://www.ifsociety.com/files/viola-we_owe_love.mp3
Preorder the new album "Melancholydisco 2" right here: https://www.ifsociety.com/item/viola-melancholydisco_2-cd

Check out video footage of the sound art project "Karusell" by Espen Sommer Eide (Alog, Phonophani): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFnQx7Equ1M&fmt=18

Edison Jr have joined the ranks of the many bands offering up a Christmas single: https://www.edisonjr.com/shoebox/195

The video for the new Tiger Lou single "Crushed by a crowd" is finally online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRl6bkFtgY0

Listen to Mikael Herrstrom (with accompaniment from Martin Hederos) cover "Dead by Xmas" by Hanoi Rocks: https://www.myspace.com/mikaelherrstrom

Danish noiserockers Marvins Revolt will tour Japan in February:

02/10 - Drunkard’s Stadium, Chiba
02/11 - Club Rock N Roll, Nagoya
02/12 - Fandango, Osaka
02/13 - O Nest, Tokyo
02/14 - Shelter, Tokyo

Norwegian power-pop artist Vibeke Saugestad will tour Italy in late February. Dates soon.

The North American CD release of the new The Soundtrack of Our Lives album "Communion" won't happen until March 3 (as mentioned the other day), but the digital version will be out January 6 and the vinyl on February 3.

The folks at Tiger/Fysisk Format in Oslo have posted their top picks for 2008: https://www.tigernet.no/epages/tiger.sf/no_NO/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Tigernet/Categories/LIST/TOPPTI/2008
Great stuff, especially if you're interested in the Norwegian underground. And that Coffins album on a few of those lists? 100% killer, even if they're from Japan (and on a label here in Olympia, WA).

Swedish indiepop artist Friday Bridge has a new website: https://www.fridaybridge.net/
Her new album "Bite my tongue" will be out February 11 via But is it Art? with the first single "Shanghai shipping" being released as a free download soon.

The Washington Post Express talks to Love Is All: https://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/12/love_is_all.php

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Bjørn Eidsvåg - Pust
02. Vamp - St. Mandag
03. Erlend Bratland - True Colors
04. Solveig Slettahjell/Gustavsen - Natt i Betlehem
05. D.D.E. - Frelsesarmeens juleplate
06. Åge Aleksandersen & Mikael Wiehe - To stemmer - 14 akustiske sanger
07. Karpe Diem - Fire vegger
08. Ole Ivars - Platina
09. Marit Larsen - The Chase
10. Diverse artister - Mgp Jr 2008
11. Grethe Kausland - Jazz My Way
12. Radka Toneff - Butterfly
13. Odd Børretzen/Lars Martin Myhre - Syv sørgelige sanger og tre triste
14. Herborg Kråkevik - Annleis enn i går
15. Odd Nordstoga - Pilegrim
16. Oslo Gospel Choir - En stjerne skinner i natt
17. Ingemars - I Finnskogens rike
18. Benedicte Adrian - Desember
19. Rita Eriksen - Hjerteslag
20. Kurt Nilsen - Rise To The Occasion

Göteborg-based indiepop-punk act Samtidigt Som will be releasing their debut LP "Flykt, kärlek och broderskap" on January 28 via Luxury Recordings. Said album was produced by Kalle von Hall of Bad Cash Quartet and they say it will sound similar to the EP (remember?), 'cept more dynamic. Keep an eye out for the first single "Vid min sida" to be released on January 14.