IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Bombus confirm new bassist

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:22:20 -0700

Swedish rockers Bombus have enlisted Jonas Rydberg (Faster Katt, ex-Burst) as their new bassist.

Faster Katt has new lineup, new music

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:24:28 -0700

Swedish noisepunks Faster Katt have finally secured themselves a steady lineup by enlisting Jonas Rydberg (ex-Burst) and Mattias Engström (Memfis), both of whom are manning the bass. Hear some killer new recordings at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fasterkatt

Vi är eliten?

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:41:27 -0700

Rumors are flying about a new all-star band featuring Peter Dolving (The Haunted), Jesper Liveröd (Nasum, Burst) and Peter Asp (Bombus) plus Americans Scott Reeder (Kyuss) and Dave Witte (Burnt by The Sun, Municipal Waste). See here: http://rogertsblogg.blogspot.com/2009/08/elitband-en-uppdatering.html

Burst to call it quits in fall

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:35:15 -0700

Looks like Burst's upcoming US tour will be there last -- the band plans to call it quits with one last show on Swedish soil this fall. Read the band's full statement: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=18720272&blogId=501979833

Burst to make US live debut in September

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:10:54 -0700

Burst will be coming to the US for the first time in September to play the Planet Caravan fest and also to do some support dates for Gojira:

09/19 - Planet Caravan Festival, Asheville, NC
09/21 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
09/22 - Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
09/24 - The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
09/25 - The Hangar, New Orleans, LA
09/27 - Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
10/02 - The Social, Orlando, FL
10/05 - Valarium, Knoxville, TN
10/06 - Pop's Nite Club, St. Louis, MO
10/07 - The Rave Bar, Milwaukee, WI
10/09 - The Pearl Room, Mokena, IL

Manifest nominees are go

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:39:27 -0800

The nominees for the Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative Grammy, have been announced:

Synth:
Thermostatic - Humanizer (Wonderland Records)
Zeigeist - The Jade Motel (Spegel/Imperial Recordings/Playground)
Moonlight Cove - Orphans of the Storm (Kinetophone/Hot Stuff)
Elegant Machinery - A soft exchange (Out of Line/Hot Stuff)
Rhythm:
Movits - Äppelknyckarjazz (BD Pop/Universal)
Erici - Brasilicum (Erici Music/Dead Frog)
Saft Stockholm - Ordet (Saft Productions/Stockholm Electronica)
Kungers - Galaxen (Rätta Visan/Border)
Experimental:
Anders Dahl - Doorbells (Bombaxbombax)
Nina de Heyney, Charlotte Hug & Christian Jormin - Acoustic Electronic (LJ Records)
Pär Thörn - Schöneberg/Stammheim/Gärdet/Rågsved (Treffpunkt)
Anders Hultqvist - Traces (Chamber Sound)
Pop:
Frida Hyvönen - Silence Is Wild (Licking Fingers/Playground)
Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from... (Razzia/Bonnier Amigo)
Joel Alme - A Master Of Ceremonies (Sincerely Yours/Border)
Nordpolen - På Nordpolen (Sincerely Yours/Border)
Rock:
The Hellacopters - Head Off (Wild Kingdom/Sound Pollution)
Pascal - Galgberget (Novoton/Bonnier Amigo)
Fatboy - In My Bones (Fat State Production/Playground)
Manikins - Crocodiles (P.Trash Records)
Dance:
Pär Grindvik - Samlad årsproduktion (Stockholm LTD)
Anders Ilar - Sworn (Level Records 11)
Style of Eye - Duck cover and hold (Pieces of eight records)
Zoo Brazil - No Place Like Home (Gung Ho! Recordings)
Jazz:
Bobo Stenson Trio - Cantando (ECM/Naxos)
Nina Ramsby & Ludwig Berghe Trio - Du har blivit stor nu [En kamp!] (Moserobie/Bonnier Amigo)
e.s.t. - Leucocyte (ACT/Bonnier Amigo)
The Splendor - Sound of Splendor (HOOB/Border)
Punk/Hardcore:
Disco Volante - "We are forever" (Not enough)
Disfear - "Live the storm" (Relapse/Border)
Nitad - "Ibland kan man inte hindra sig själv" (Kranium)
Meanwhile - "Reality or nothing" (Feral Ward)
Hårdrock/Metal:
Burst - Lazarus Bird (Relapse/Border)
Dismember - Dismember (Regain/Sound Pollution)
Grand Magus - Iron Will (Rise above/Border)
Opeth - Watershed (Roadrunner/Bonnier Amigo)
Hip-hop/R'n'B/Soul:
Chords - Things We Do For Things (Juju/Playground)
Afasi & Filthy – Fläcken (P.o.p.e./Playground)
Masse - Gott & Blandat Vol. 2
Allyawan - Blu Duk Mixtape Vol. 2
Folk/Ballad:
Gunnel Mauritzson Band - Det som sker...(Sandkvie Records/CDA)
Maria Hörnelius, Bernt Andersson & Kjell Jansson - En sång för Kent (Eld Records/Border)
Jonas Knutsson & Johan Norberg - Skaren - Norrland III (Act/BAM)
Bjernulf/Björklund/Lindh – Pål Olles väg (Courage)
Singer/Songwriter:
Melpo Mene - Bring the Lions Out (Imperial Recordings/Playground)
Hyacinth House - Black Crows Country (True Music Production/Glitterhouse)
First Aid Kit - Drunken Trees (Rabid Records/Border)
Olle Nyman - Venture (A West Side Fabrication/Border)
Live:
Detektivbyrån (Danarkia)
The Hellacopters (Psychout Records)
Lykke Li (LL Recordings)
Robyn (Konichiwa Records)
Myspace prize for best unsigned act:
Montauk
Hero in action
Miranda Gjerstad
Sci-Fi Hands
John F Karlsson
Dyno
Tim Schmidt
Nottee
The Bellevues
Diskoteket

Go here for more: http://www.manifestgalan.se/

Burst + Medeia European tour

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:44:24 -0800

Scandinavian metalcore acts Burst and Medeia will be touring Europe together along with The Ocean and Bison BC:

02/26 - FZW, Dortmund (GER)
02/27 - Conne Island, Leipzig (GER)
02/28 - Progresja, Warsaw (POL)
03/01 - Exit Chmelnice, Prague (CZ)
03/02 - Arena, Wien (AUS)
03/03 - Dürer Kert, Budapest (HUN)
03/04 - Feierwerk - Hansa 39, München (GER)
03/05 - Dynamo 21, Zürich (CH)
03/06 - Latte + Club, Brescia (ITA)
03/07 - Rock Planet, Pinarella di Cervia (ITA)
03/08 - Die Stadtmitte, Karlsruhe (GER)
03/11 - tba, London (UK)
03/12 - Corporation, Sheffield (UK)
03/13 - Dornrosje, Nijmegen (NL)
03/14 - The Legend, Sneek (NL)
03/15 - VK, Bruxelles (BEL)
03/16 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
03/17 - Mühltal Steinruch Theater, Darmstadt (GER)
03/18 - Kulturfabrik, Esch (LUX)
03/20 - Fernverkehr, Zedtwitz (GER)
03/21 - Lido, Berlin (GER)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:05:37 -0700

The new issue of the Lords of Metal e-zine is out and it features interviews with a ton of bands such as Burst, Enslaved, Benea Reach, The Haunted and much more: http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/interviews.php?lang=en

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:56:18 -0700

Garden of Exile will once again be working with Burst and issuing the vinyl edition of the latest album "Lazarus bird". An early October release is expected.

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:56:42 -0700

Burst has two new tracks up on myspace now: http://www.myspace.com/burstrelapse

MP3: We Live In Trenches - Autonomy clinic

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

If it's Saturday you know that means we're due for another entry in our ongoing Göteborg Spotlight Series. This week's guest: Robert Samsonowitz, esteemed web developer, graphic designer and musician. Chances are high you've seen his work before as he's done artwork and/or websites for a number of high profile Swedish artists -- just check out his portfolio at rbrt.org for examples. As for his own music, he did time with Satanic Surfers back in the day and has just recently resurfaced with We Live in Trenches, a band that takes the sound of "Damaged"-era Black Flag and runs with it. In other words, old-man hardcore. You know I'm all about it. Anyhow, Robert was kind enough to answer a few questions for us and here's what he had to say:

First off, the standard: How long have you lived in Gbg, what brought you there and what keeps you there?

I've lived in Gothenburg for nine years and five months (since January 1999). I moved here to study web design. I got a job and a new band, so that pretty much kept me here. Nowadays I have a new job and a new band and that pretty much still keeps me here. And also Gothenburg is a pretty rad city to be in at the moment with a lot of nice people and some great things happening, music and otherwise.

You're involved in a lot of different artistic endeavors - which one currently takes precedence? like if someone asks "what do you do?", how do you respond?

Right now I'd probably say "play music", because that's where my heart is at the moment. I think I'm currently in some kind of work-denial state. Like acting really busy on work hours while making plans and stuff for the band, which probably isn't that good in the long run as I'm self employed.

I know there's a lot of other Swedish musicians who double as visual artists, but are there any in particular that you admire? Or what about visual artists who dabble in music?

One of the artists I admire is my old friend Johannes Heldén (www.johanneshelden.com). He's a visual artist (MFA, Valand Academy of Fine Arts, Gothenburg) a writer and a musician. His work is truly awesome. I give him credit for bringing Sci-Fi and mysticism into art and music. Well done, my friend!

How does the city of Gbg influence you and your art? Could you ever see yourself living somewhere else? What benefits does Gbg offer and on the flipside of that, what are the city's detriments?

Hard to tell how this city influences me. I don't even know if influences me at all. Or maybe it does more than I'll ever know. I can't really see myself living in another Swedish city. I've spent a lot of time in Malmö, I have a lot of friends there. There is one specific area there ("Möllan") which consists of... I don't know... maybe 8 blocks of houses and a square, and that area is fantastic. But the rest of Malmö is a terrible, aggressive, cold, cold place to be. They can keep it. If I'd move I'd probably go abroad, maybe Berlin or Barcelona (all my friends reading this are going "yeah, that'll probably happen..." haha), or Montreal, one of my favorite cities. One of the benefits with Gbg I guess is the size, both in people and area. It's not too big and it's not too small either. It's big enough for great things to happen, and it's small enough to actually notice them.

Tell me about the new band - how did you guys get together and what are your plans? Did you form with any particular goals in mind?

My new band is We Live in Trenches and here are all the boring details. Me and David Augustsson (drums, ex-C.Aarmé) formed the band in February 2007 after having played together in the brief punk adventure Haveri, which had broken up due to too hot weather and the fact that the other guys needed more time with their other endeavors (Cut City and Alarma Man). I was also on drum duties in Satanic Surfers, but we had a break at the moment (a break from which we never recovered, we broke up in March 2007). We initially formed as Trenches and I guess it sort of was the second coming of Haveri at first, only I'd switched from bass to guitar. As only two wrongs don't make a right, we needed some more humans to help sink the ship. I met my old friend Ulf Stöckel on a tram and convinced him to jump aboard as I knew of his screaming skills from previous bands (Comatose, Blå Ångest, The Virgins). We later got Oskar Karlsson on bass in May (also in Icos, ex-Last Security) and the Trenches line-up was finally complete. We recorded one song for a hardcore comp on Deleted Art (still not released) during the summer. Oskar turned out to be too busy with Icos as well as being a busy live sound tech for bands on tour (Burst, Red Sparrowes etc.) and he decided to quit the band a couple of months later. During the time without a bass player we started to record all of our songs in our rehearsal space. Anna Knutsson joined our merry bunch in November, halfway through the recording session, and we changed our name to We Live in Trenches shortly after. Now we finally have a booking agent and some upcoming shows, and we will promote ourselves in search for a record label to work with. Our plan is to rock as hard and often as possible, and our goal is to avoid a normal way of life as much as possible.

Lastly, got a song you'd like to share? Either from one of your own band(s) or otherwise? Something that's reflective of Gbg perhaps?

Yes. "Autonomy clinic" by We Live In Trenches. Because self promotion rocks!

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:12:52 -0700

Burst will be heading to Russia and the Ukraine for a few shows this fall:

09/05 - Sky Hall club, Kiev (UKR)
09/06 - Plan B club, Moscow (RUS)
09/07 - Zoccolo club, Saint Petersburg (RUS)

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:30:25 -0700

The new Burst album "Lazarus bird" is confirmed for release on September 16 in the US, September 19 in Germany and September 22 for the rest of Europe.

Thu, 22 May 2008 15:05:53 -0700

Burst's new album "Lazarus bird" is done being recorded and now the band is working on getting the artwork straightened out.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:40:42 -0700

The new Burst album will be called "Lazarus bird". Look for it this fall via Relapse.

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:25:10 -0700

Burst reports that they are currently in the studio working on their new record: http://www.burst.nu/news.php?id=106

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:30:55 -0800

Swedish metalcore act Burst will be going into the studio in April to work on a new album.

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:04:53 -0800

Swedish acts confirmed for EuroSonic: I'm from Barcelona (official opening act for EuroSonic 2008), Detektivbyrån, Those Dancing Days, Promise and the Monster, Lykke Li, Cult of Luna, Miss Li, Little Dragon, Moonbabies, Taxi Taxi, Friska Viljor, Burst and Andi Almqvist. The festival, one of Europe's preeminent platforms for new music, will feature a special focus on Sweden and takes place in Groningen, the Netherlands, on January 10-12. More info: http://www.noorderslag.nl/

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Burst's new video for "The immateria" is now showing at Singing Fool: http://www.singingfool.com/

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Burst has posted a high quality live video of them performing "Sever" at Hultsfred for free download: http://www.burst.nu/

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Burst will be posted a bunch of their old 90s-era material on myspace over the next week. Read more: http://www.burst.nu/news.php?id=89

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish metalcore act Burst will be shooting a video for the song "The immateria" with director Robin Kempe on November 12. Look for it to air sometime early next year.

Fri, 12 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Burst says they might tour the US this fall after all the summer festival and Euro promo is over and done, but nothing's set yet. Otherwise, check em out this weekend on Headbanger's Ball when members Jesper and Linus are special guests.

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Burst has posted a couple new videoclips on their site: http://www.burst.nu/audiovideo.php

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Stylus reviews the new Burst album: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3838

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Burst checks in from tour: http://www.burst.nu/rants.php

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

New Scandinavian music reviews at PopMatters today including both Magnet and Burst.

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Decibel interviews Swedish progressive metalcore act Burst: http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/mar2006/burst.aspx

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The winners of the P3 Gold awards:

Best pop: Jenny Wilson - "Love and Youth"
Best hip-hop/soul: Hearin’ Aid - "The Boom Lucy"
Best rock/metal: Burst - "Origo"
Best dance: Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso
Guldmicken (best live): Lars Winnerbäck
Best newcomer: Laleh - "Laleh"
Best female artist: Laleh - "Laleh"
Best group: Kent - "Du & jag döden"
Best male artist: Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"
Best song: Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Photo: Henrik is updated with pics of Burst: http://www.photohenrik.com/

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Upated European tour schedule for Burst:

12/21 - Die Röhre, Stuttgart (GER) w/Opeth
12/22 - Boerderij, Zoetermeer (NL) w/Opeth
12/29 - Trädgårn, Gothenburg (SWE) w/Dark Tranquility
02/14 - Barfly, Glasgow (UK)
02/15 - Bar Academy, Birmingham (UK)
02/16 - Carvern Club, Exeter (UK)
02/17 - Barfly, London (UK)
02/18 - Rock City, Nottingham (UK)
02/19 - Star & Garter, Manchester (UK)
02/21 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
02/22 - Knaack, Berlin (GER)
02/23 - Underground, Köln (GER)
02/24 - Patronaat, Haarlem (NL)
02/25 - Waterfront, Rotterdam (NL)
02/26 - 13, Tilburg (NL)
02/27 - La Boule Noire, Paris (FRA)
02/28 - Kab-Usine, Geneva (SWI)
03/01 - Orpheum, Graz (AUS)
03/02 - Arena, Vienna (AUS)
03/04 - Backstage, Munchen (GER)
03/05 - AB, Brussels (BEL)

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Aversionline on the new Burst album "Origo": http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2005/12/where-wave-broke.html

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Burst will return to the UK for a headline tour in February:

02/14 - Barfly, Glasgow (SCO)
02/15 - Bar Academy, Birmingham (UK)
02/16 - Carvern Club, Exeter (UK)
02/17 - Barfly, London (UK)
02/18 - Rock City, Nottingham (UK)
02/19 - Star & Garter, Manchester (UK)

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Nominees for the Swedish radio 2006 P3 Gold awards:

Best female artist:
Laleh
Jenny Wilson
Hello Saferide
Frida Hyvönen
Robyn

Best male artist:
Moneybrother
Håkan Hellström
Timbuktu
Alf
Darin

Best band:
Kent
Cardigans
The Ark
The Embassy
Bodies Without Organs

Best newcomer:
Laleh
Jenny Wilson
Darin
Le Sport
Frida Hyvönen

Best song:
Robyn - Be mine
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
Laleh - Live tomorrow
Moneybrother - They're building walls around us
September - Satellites

Guldmicken (best live):
Hellacopters
Laleh
Robyn
Timbuktu
Lars Winnerbäck

Best rock/metal:
Burst - Origo
Grand Magus - Wolf’s Return
Hellacopters - Rock & Roll Is Dead
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Rentokiller - Cadaveri Eccelente

Best hip-hop/soul:
Hearin’ Aid - The Boom Lucy
Looptroop - Fort Europa
Peshi - The Work of Art The Art of Work
Stacs Of Stamina - Tivoli
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Best pop:
The Embassy - Tacking
Frida Hyvönen - Until Death Comes
Paddington DC - The Sun is Down And The Sky is Grey
The Tough Alliance - The New School
Jenny Wilson - Love And Youth

Go here to vote for your favorites: http://www.sr.se/p3/p3guld/
Winners will be announced January 21.

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Check the 'rants' section on Burst's website for the first entry of their tour diary: http://www.burst.nu/

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Lords of Metal interviews Burst: http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=1152&lang=en (via)

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Harmonium reviews the new Burst album: http://www.harmoniummusic.com/?p=82

Mon, 14 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

New pics of Burst and Lolita Stasi at photohenrik.com.

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Stream the new Burst album "Origo": http://3voor12.vpro.nl/3voor12/luisterpaal/luisterpaalalbum.shtml?10617791+24594241

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

DJ Martian does a round-up on the first gushing reviews for the new Burst album "Origo": http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2005_10_01_djmartian_archive.html#112924446158108130

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Burst has cancelled their previously announced UK headlining tour and will instead be supporting fellow Swedes Opeth all over Europe. Look for new UK dates to be announced for February 2006. Otherwise, find the current dates here.

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out an e-card for the new Burst album "Origo": http://relapse.com/ecards/burst2/
It comes out October 17 in the UK and October 24 throughout Europe via Relapse Records.

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Netherlands-based label Garden of Exile Records has announced that it will be releasing a split 7" featuring Swedish metalcore act Burst and Germany's The Ocean with artwork from Seldon Hunt (Isis, Neurosis, Pelican). Burst contributes a slower, more experimental track entitled "Flight's end" and The Ocean's song will be called "Killing the flies" and will feature guest vocals from Tomas Hallbom of Breach (SWE) and Nate Newton from Converge. It comes out in mid-October.

Fri, 19 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Burst has completed work on their new album "Origo" and have confirmed that Relapse will release it on October 17 in the UK, October 24 in Europe and Japan and finally, in February 2006 in North America. Look for the band to tour the UK in October with Europe to follow in November. Dates so far:

10/24 - Star and Garter, Manchester
10/25 - Barfly, Glasgow
10/26 - Academy, Birmingham
10/27 - Barfly, London
10/28 - tba, Exeter
10/29 - Rock City, Nottingham

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Lambgoat interviews Jesper Liveröd of Burst about the band's forthcoming album "Origo", upcoming tour plans and more: http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/burst.aspx

Tue, 26 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Burst has confirmed that they will begin recording their new album on May 5 at Music-a-matic Studios in Göteborg with producers Fredrik Reinedahl and Henryk Lipp. The band plans to finish up by late June and the album is due out in October via Relapse Records.

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish metalcore act Burst has confirmed that they will be entering Music-a-matic Studios in Göteborg in May/June to record their next album. A tentative release date has been set for September by Relapse Records. In other news, the band will once again support Dillinger Escape Plan, this time for a short Scandinavian tour. Dates at the band's website: http://www.burst.nu/

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish metalcore act Burst will be supporting the mighty Mastodon on tour in the UK this February along with fellow Swedes Dozer. Dates:

02/09 - Cathouse, Glasgow
02/10 - Northumbria University, Northumbria
02/11 - Academy 2, Birmingham
02/12 - Academy 3, Manchester
02/14 - Corporation, Sheffield
02/15 - Zodiac, Oxford
02/16 - Mean Fiddler, London
02/17 - Lemon Grove, Exeter

Fri, 15 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish metalcore act Burst is currently working on new material with plans to begin recording sometime early next year. In other news, the band's older album "In Coveting Ways" will be released on vinyl by Spain's Throne Records in December. The CD was originally issued by renown German label Chrome Saint Magnus.

Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Sweden's Burst is touring Europe with Dillinger Escape Plan and Poison the Well:

11/08 - Logo, Hamburg (GER)
11/09 - Matrix, Bochum (GER)
11/10 - Vera, Gronignen (NL)
11/11 - Helling, Utrecht (NL)
11/12 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
11/14 - Magnet Club, Berlin (GER)
11/15 - Planet Music, Vienna (AUS)
11/16 - Backstage, Munich (GER)
11/17 - Abart, Zurich (CH)
11/18 - Supermarket Club, Turin (ITA)
11/19 - Estragon Club, Bologna (ITA)
11/20 - Expo Live, Vicenza (ITA)
11/22 - Romandie, Lausanne (FRA)
11/23 - Trabeno, Paris (FRA)
11/24 - ABBox, Brussels (BEL)

Mon, 20 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Sweden's Burst will be heading to Germany at the beginning of October:

10/01 - Exhaus, Trier (GER)
10/02 - Jugendhaus am Bahnhof, Nurtingen (GER)
10/03 - Magnet (Popkomm), Berlin (GER)

More soon.

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Upcoming tourdates for Malkovich:

09/17 - Mukkes, Leeuwarden (NL) w/The Murder Of Rosa Luxembourg, Razor Crusade
09/19 - Lintfabriek, Kontich (BE) w/Most Precious Blood, Destiny, The Setup
10/03 - Popkomm @ Magnet, Berlin (DE) w/JR Ewing, Delorean, Burst
10/07 - Schlachthof, Bremen (DE) w/Daughters, Tephra
10/08 - Mevr. Latenstaan, Zoetermeer (NL) w/Deadweight, Omission
10/09 - Het Podium, Hoogeveen (NL) w/Among The Living, Broken Circle, Omission
10/17 - Wageni, Bochum (DE) w/Endstand, Under Siege
10/22 - Scheune, Ibbenbüren (DE) w/The Brats
10/23 - Zomaarpop/OJC Watjang, Oirlo (NL) w/Silverene, A Common Ground, Collision
11/07 - P60, Amstelveen (NL) w/Stretch Armstrong, Razor Crusade
11/20 - JH OHK, Oostende (BE) w/Vuur, Officer Jones And His Patrol Car Problems
11/24 - AB, Brussels (BE) w/The Dillinger Escape Plan, Poison The Well
12/02 - tba (UK) w/Razor Crusade
12/03 - tba (UK) w/Razor Crusade
12/04 - tba (UK) w/Razor Crusade
12/05 - tba (UK) w/Razor Crusade

The new album "A Criminal Record" is out now on CD via Reflections Records and vinyl from Crash Landing Records.

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish metalcore act Burst will travel to Athens, Greece for a one-off show at the AN Club on September 25.

Mon, 24 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Burst will be playing some UK dates in June together with Dillinger Escape Plan and Blood Valley:

06/08 - Manchester University, Manchester (UK)
06/09 - The Cathouse, Glasgow (UK)
06/10 - The Garage, London (UK)
06/11 - Phoenix Arts Center, Exeter (UK)
06/12 - Engine Room, Cardiff (UK)

Fri, 07 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Confirmed summer dates for Burst:

06/06 - Download Festival, Donington Park (UK)
06/27 - Furyfest, Le Mans (FRA)
07/15-17 - Arvika Festival, Arvika (SWE)
08/06-08 - Augustibuller, Lindesberg (SWE)
08/06-14 - Göteborgskalaset, Göteborg (SWE)

Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Sadly, Burst has been forced to cancel all of their upcoming UK and BeNeLux tour plans. There were just too many complications with schedules and money issues that they couldn't make it happen. Shows still happening:

04/25 - Goudvishal Festival, Musis Sacrum, Arnhem (NL) w/Madball, Heaven Shall Burn, E Town Concrete, more
04/27 - Debaser, Stockholm (SWE) w/Keelhaul
06/25-27 - Furyfest, Le Mans (FRA) w/Slipknot, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deicide, Discharge, more
07/15-17 - Arvika Festival, Arvika (SWE)
08/06-07 - Augustibuller, Lindesberg (SWE) w/Nine, C.Armeé, more

Look for more Swedish and a full fall tour lineup to come soon.

Tue, 13 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

New bands confirmed for Avrika Festival: Weeping Willows, Eskobar, Lustans Lakejer, Moonbabies, Blanka, Lolita Stasi Collective, Burst, Richard Reagh & wwnb2, Gustav & The Seasick Sailors and Chandra.

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Upcoming tourdates for Burst:

03/24 - Klubi, Tampere (FIN)
03/25 - Klubi, Turku (FIN)
03/26 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä (FIN)
03/27 - Semifinal, Helsinki (FIN)
04/17 - tba, Bremen (GER)
04/18 - 13, Tilburg (NL)
04/20 - Junction7, Nottingham (UK)
04/21 - The Attic, Manchester (UK)
04/22 - The Warehouse, Plymouth (UK)
04/23 - The Ocean, London (UK)
04/24 - TBA, Folkestone (UK)
04/25 - Goudvishal Festival, Arnhem (NL)
04/27 - Debaser, Stockholm (SWE)
06/25-27 - Furyfest, Le Mans (FRA)
08/06-07 - Augustibuller, Lindesberg (SWE)

Tue, 17 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Burst will be touring Finland at the end of March:

03/24 - Klubi, Tampere
03/25 - Klubi, Turku
03/26 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä
03/27 - Semifinal, Helsinki

Look for European tour dates to be announced for April. Nothing's set yet, but they are planning on four or five UK dates and about six dates around The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. There's also talk of Swedish/Scandinavian dates with Keelhaul and Khanate in May, but again, nothing's set. There should be festival dates coming soon, too.

In other news, check out the video for "Sculpt the Lives": http://www.burst.nu/mediafiles/Burst2.wmv

Fri, 09 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's the nominees for the Swedish Manifest awards:

Pop/Rock:
Hell on Wheels - Oh my God What have I done
Radio Dept. - Lesser matters
Concretes - Concretes
Franke - Optimismens hån
The Knife - Deep cuts

Hardrock/Punk:
Arch Enemy - Anthems of rebellion
Burst - Prey on life
Cult of Luna - The beyond
Katationa - Viva emptiness
Nasum - Helvete

Hip hop/R&B/Soul:
Chords - The garden around the mansion
Speech Defect - Freshcoast gettin' rowdy
Soul Supreme - The Saturday nite agenda
Advance Patrol - Utskrivna
Kaah - Jideblasko international

Postrock/electronica:
Namur - Conquer me
Sagor & Swing - Allt hänger samman
Sophie Rimheden - Hi-fi
Slagsmålsklubben - Den svenske disco
Tape - Milieu

Dance/house/techno:
Hundarna från Söder - Hundarna från Söder
Forss - Soulhack
Plej - Electronic music from the Swedish leftcoast
Stateless - Art of no state
Steve Angello - ...presents tracks

Folk/World music:
Lisa Rydberg - Östbjörka
Frifot - Sluring
Anders Nygårds & Magnus Stinnerbom - Dalahyl
Anders Norrudde, Leo Svensson and Göran Fredriksson - Med hull och hår
Cerro Esperanza Band - Nubes del alma

Singer/Songwriter:
Ane Brun - Spending time with Morgan
Ulf Stureson - Allt jag ville säga
Christian Kjellvander - Introducing the past
Johan Borgert - Johan Borgert
José Gonzàlez - Veneer

Best live artist:
Looptroop
Moneybrother
Randy
Timbuktu med Damn
Killers

Best newcomer:
Miss Universum
José Gonzàlez
Shout Out Louds
Radio Dept.
Paris

Winners are chosen by the SOM (Svenska Oberoende Musikproducenter) (Swedish Independent Musicproducers) and will be announced at an awards ceremony on January 29 at Debaser in Stockholm.

Fri, 02 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Webzine Aversionline is updated yet again with their usual 100+ reviews: http://www.holyterror.com/aversionline/
Featured bands listed this month include Burst, Dead in the Water, Dogpound, Elenium, Kaaos, Ulver, Wolfbrigade, Zyklon and tons more.

Fri, 02 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Burst reports that they are planning to do some Swedish live dates this month as well as maybe heading to Holland and mid-Europe in March. So far, there's only the Manifest Awards at Debaser in Stockholm on January 29, but more should be coming soon.

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

There's nothing Nordic in the highlights of Aquarius Records new release list, but they do have reviews and samples for Burst, the Rune Grammofon "Money Will Ruin Everything" comp, the 267 Lattajjaa "Tididii Tididii Tididiididii" comp and a bunch of new CDr releases from Super Metsa, the new label of Jussi from Finland's Circle.

Mon, 10 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Burst has a new flash-intensive/multimedia website.

Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Added a new mp3 from Burst today, over on the right. They manage to combine melodic Swedish metal with hardcore in a way that actually works, as opposed to so many of the American bands who attempt to do the same. Good stuff. Is it just me, or is track five on the album totally sound like Eucharist?

Fri, 26 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Nasum has announced that Jon "Elle" Lindkvist has joined the band as their new bassplayer, replacing Jesper who left to concentrate on his other band Burst. Not only does Jon have the same initials as Jesper, but he also auditioned in the same Neurosis t-shirt. Creepy, eh? Jon also currently plays with Sayyadina as well as having done time with numerous well-known Swedish punk bands such as Victims, Accursed, and Outlast. Former live-only guitarist Urban Skytt has also joined on as a full-time member.

Wed, 20 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0700

The new Relapse Records edition of the first Burst album "Prey on Life" has been confirmed for a September 23 release in the US, October 13 in Europe.

Thu, 10 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Burst has confirmed their recent signing with Relapse Records and now give September as the European/American release date for the album "Prey on Life". Japan will follow soon after. Their statement:

"Relapse Records is, in our eyes, a label that as well as having an interesting roster has a very real and passionate take on music. We regard this label as one very suitable for our band, not only on a personal level, but also in visions regarding artistry and aesthetics. These fucking guys have a good taste in music and are very grounded as people and partners."

The album was recorded at Studio Oracle by Fredrik Reinedahl and features artwork by Isis frontman/Hydrahead Records founder Aaron Turner. A video will be made (song tbd) and touring will follow, probably beginning in Europe this fall. Stay tuned.

Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

The complete and final line-up for the Fredericia Hardcore Festival in Fredericia, Denmark August 07/31-08/02:

Thurs., July 31
Jimmy Justice (DK)
I Adapt (ICE)
Music Mafia (DK)
Children of Fall (SWE)

Fri., August 1
Jairus (UK)
Strychnine (US)
Rentokiller (SWE)
Bridge to Solace (HUN)
Leiah (SWE)
Heaven Shall Burn (GER)

Sat., August 2
Austin (DK)
Crowpath (SWE)
Force of Change (GER)
Oversized (BEL)
PN (BEL)
Lack (DK)
Burst (SWE)
Himsa (US)

Wed, 11 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Interested in winning a copy of "Crucify My Heart" from Lullacry? Go here to enter.

Dimmu Borgir reports that they have finished mixing their new album "Death Cult Armageddon". Guitarist Silenoz comments:

"We're pleased to announce that this will be considered our most epic, majestic, somber, evil and grimmest release to date, containing absolutely everything we're known for — the never-ending presence of atmosphere, diversity and variety! In other words, it's huge! Darkness is once again upon us!"

Look for it on September 9 from Nuclear Blast. The band also recorded a cover of Bathory's "Satan My Master" for a limited-edition digipack version available only through Century Media Mailorder.

Junior Senior plays Central Park in NYC on August 3 with The Sparks at 7pm.

Some of the confirmed bands for the Fredericia Hardcore Fest in Denmark from July 31 - Aug 2: Leiah, Heaven Shall Burn, Burst, Jimmy Justice, Lack, Crowpath, Austin, Children of Fall, and Rentokiller. Go here for more info.

Clawfinger as boyband-producers? No foolin'. They've been working behind the scenes with the group L8R. (in Norweigan)

MIC Norway reports that Norweigan music sales have grown 400% since 1998.

Norweigan experimental vocalist and Rune Grammofon recording artist Maja Ratkje won an Award of Distinction in the digital music category at this year's Prix Ars Electronica in Austria. More info here. More about Ars Electronica here.

PopMatters reviews "39 Minutes of Bliss (In an Otherwise Meaningless World)", the American compilation of material from Caesars Palace/The Caesars.

Lisa and Jim have passed along the playlist from their Rock-n-Roll $1 Pints with Galaxy Gramaphone DJ Night at Cowboy Monkey in Champaign, IL. It's their once-a-month event where they spin records from favorite Scandinavian artists. Check it:

01. TSOOL - Sister Surround
02. Thirdimension - 100 MPH
03. Diamond Dogs - All Strung Out
04. Jan Martens Frustration - Convolutions
05. Isolation Years - Talking Backward Masking Blues
06. Sahara Hotnights - Oh Darling!
07. Motorpsycho - Uberwanger
08. Broder Daniel - Whirlwind
09. TSOOL - Firmament Vacation
10. Concretes - Say Something New

The rest of the list coming soon.

P3 Musikjournalen confirms that Silverbullit aka Citizen Bird are working on their new album. They say to expect to hear the first samples around January.

Here's an interview with Finnish electronic music pioneer Erkki Kurenniemi by Mika Taanila, director of the documentary "Future Is Not What It Used To Be". More on Mika here.

Dark Funeral has announced they will embark on a South American tour in September. So far, apparently only Brazil has been confirmed, but I'll post the details when I get them.

P3 will be doing special broadcasts from Hultsfred this coming weekend. Tune in on Thursday to Musikjournalen from 8pm-10pm and P3 Rock from 10pm till midnight, Musikjournalen on Friday from 3pm till 4:45, and Saturday's Musikjournalen at 3pm plus P3 Demo at 7pm.

Fri, 06 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Happy Swedish National Day.

Turbonegro are doing an online benefit for the St. Pauli Football Club ("the one with skull & crossbones logo" as they say) in the form of three ebay auctions:

"Scandinavian Leather" deluxe box set #666, autographed by the complete band
"Scandinavian Leather" deluxe box set #1910, autographed by the complete band
St. Pauli player jersey with Hank van Helvete lettering on the back and his autograph

Check 'em out, but keep in mind they also promise "more interesting things to follow."

Here's some pictures from Komeda's video shoot for the track "Cul de Sac".

Nicolai Dunger will be providing guest vocals on an upcoming EP from Calexico for the song "Alone again or", originally done by Love. It comes out June 16.

Labrador Records has announced they will now be distributed in Germany by AL!VE with promotion to be handled by C&D Promotion. Their first release over there will be "Kate 97" from Tribeca. For more info contact Stephan.Meyer@alive-ag.de or chris.donn@cdpromotion.de.

Paris has signed a publishing contract with Songs & Stories Publishing.

The latest edition of Doomsday Magazine just came out and it includes interviews with Uncurbed, Totalt Jävla Mörker, Burst and more. More info and some back-issue text: www.doomsdaymag.tk (in Swedish)

NRK has posted Amulet's new video for "Breaking News". Check it.

Hedningarna has posted a couple videos on their new website. The band's new retrospective CD is out now in Finland, Spain and the US and should hit Sweden in September. It contains various tracks from 1989-2003 along with two brand new songs. Read more.

The Confusions, Satirnine, Dynamo Chapel, Paola and The Crystal Committee are now confirmed for the Trästock festival in Skellefteå, Sweden on July 17-19.

Kent's big concert at Stockholm Stadium tonight will be recorded for a future album/DVD release. There's also rumors of various special guests showing up, such as Titiyo and Lisa Miskovsky.

Clawfinger has posted the video clip for their new single "Recipe for Hate": Windows / Real
You can also check out some behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot right here.

The Hives, In Flames, and Flint have been added to Hultsfred fest.

Thu, 05 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Last Days of April's most recent album "Ascend to the Stars" just got a US release on Crank! Records this week and they've put up quite a few samples from the album on this page. Also, in cooperation with Now On Tour, they have an online contest where you can win a copy of said album along with a poster.

In case you didn't know, Entombed's new album "Inferno" has been delayed for August 4. It seems the reason behind the change is that their label Music for Nations's parent company Zomba was bought out by BMG and they had to shift the entire release schedule. Anyhow, they still have a couple gigs this summer and plan to start touring for the record around the same time it gets released. They'll also be filming a video for the track "Retaliation" later this week.

Opeth reports that their upcoming co-headlining tour with Porcupine Tree will feature their more mellow material, as they are supporting the new, mostly-acoustic "Damnation" album. They say they may even bust out the old song "To Bid You Farewell" from "Morningrise" among other ballad-esque tracks. In other touring news, they say they are working on a Scandinavian tour for October and November. Details when I get 'em.

The Ark will be playing Germany next week and their show on June 7 will be webcasted by Rockpalast. You can also participate in a live chat with the band on the same date from right here.

Musicbrigade and Startracks have put up a couple videos for public viewing:

Buck - Dead Time Race
Revolvo - Moscow Mule

JR Ewing has announced they will supporting Mars Volta for two UK gigs:

07/08 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
07/09 - Electric Ballroom, London

Some of the new acts confirmed for the upcoming Accelerator The Big One shows: Christian Kjellvander & Lazy Grace Frontier (Malmö), Franke (Gbg), Mattias Hellberg (Gbg), The Radio Dept. (Sthlm), and Komeda (Sthlm).

MTVE.com has put up a bunch of new streaming video channels, including one for Northern Europe.

Also from MTVE.com, here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
02. Turbonegro - Fuck The World
03. Outlandish - Guantanamo
04. A-Teens - Perfect Match
05. C21 - She Cries
06. Kashmir - Rocket Brothers
07. HIM - Funeral of hearts
08. The Cardigans - You´re The Storm
09. Her Majesty - F.U.N.E.R.A.L
10. The Sounds - Rock n´ Roll
11. Dallas Superstars - Fast Driving
12. Darude - Music
13. Equicez - Live From Pass It
14. Melody Club - Cover Girl
15. Jennifer Brown - Weak
16. Mando Diao - Sheepdog
17. Antique - Moro Mou
18. Jon - This Side Up
19. Kwan - Shine
20. Paragon - Försök Förstå

Challengers:
01. The Klerks - Shame
02. Da Buzz - Alive
03. The Narcissists - Fanatik R.I.P
04. De Stijl - Date Times
05. Grand Tone Music - Become Whatever

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

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
02. Da Buzz - More than alive
03. Robert Wells - Rhapsody in rock the complete collection
04. The Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
05. Tommy Körberg - Gränslös - det bästa med
06. Alcazar - Alcazarized
07. Style, Sandelin & Ekman, Freestyle - Samlade hits
08. Her Majesty - Happiness
09. Moneybrother - Blood panic
10. v/a - Fame Factory volym 5
11. Glenmark Eriksson Strömstedt - Den andra skivan
12. Timbuktu - The botten is nådd!
13. Fame - Give me your love
14. Kent - Vapen & ammunition
15. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
16. Lars Winnerbäck och Hovet - Söndermarken
17. Eddie Meduza - Live(s)!
18. Martin Nilsson - En del av mig
19. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
20. Jill Johnson - Discography

DigitalMetal.com interviews Burst, who they call "one of the best new bands of 2004." As mentioned here recently, Burst features bassist Jesper Liveröd who just quit Nasum to focus more time on this band. Their second forthcoming album "Prey On Life" apparently was recently picked up by Relapse Records in the US and comes out sometime this fall.

Check out some sample mp3s and video from Bobby's new album "Romantic & Bleeding", out now on Imperial Recordings.

Drummer Henry Ranta has left Soilwork in order to dedicate more time to his personal life. The band's statement:

"After playing in Soilwork for five years, our dear friend and drummer Henry Ranta has decided that he can no longer continue to play in Soilwork. There are no hard feelings between Henry and us in any way, and we will still remain amazing friends, he will always be a true Soilworker. We wish him all the best of luck with his decision and we're sure we'll cross paths again in the future!"

And Henry's own personal statement:

"I guess this is supposed to be a statement of why and when I decided to leave Soilwork, but since this is a well thought out decision (not an easy one though) I will try and keep away from the sentimental 'bullshit' and just focus on the hard facts. Combining my daytime job, rehearsing, recording and touring with Soilwork has basically worn me out. This didn't really make a difference the first couple of years in Soilwork, but as time went on I started digging a black hole for myself. For the past two years I haven't really found any joy playing, and with all the tours coming up this year I felt that it was time for me to leave. Playing in Soilwork has been my life 24/7 for five years now, and at one point last year, I started to open my eyes to a lot of things that has been neglecting, just because I had been to concentrated on one thing only. Basically I'm gonna start investing more time in things that are making me happy right now. I'll take a peek at the other side, and I'm pretty sure that I'll enjoy what I'll find. But you're not gonna get rid of me yet though. It's not like I'm gonna stop playing drums. You will still hear me fucking shit up in The Defaced [his other band w/Darkane guitarist Klas Idebergand] other projects. A really big thanks to all Soilwork fans for amazing support throughout years — Love ya all! Finally I would like to say a big fucking 'hell yeah' to the band for five beautiful years of insanity."

Force of Evil has posted a couple new mp3s online: "Hell on Earth" / "Eye of the Storm". The band features in its ranks ex- and current Mercyful Fate members Michael Denner, Hank Shermann (both on guitar), Bjarne Holm (drums), Hal Patino from King Diamond's band (bass), and Martin Steene from Ironfire (vocals). Their as-yet untitled album is due out later this month on an unspecified label and they promise it will be "loaded with evil-riffing and lots of guitar solos." Dude.

Here's Christian Kjellvander's latest updated tour schedule:

06/05 - Eskilstuna, Strömsholmen
06/14 - Hultsfred, Hultsfredsfestival
06/26-29 - Roskilde (Denmark), Roskildefestival
07/01 - Malmö, Accelerator The Big One
07/19 - Skellefteå, Trästock
07/26 - Ängelholm, Tullakrok (solo)
07/30 - Strömstad, The Cod
08/07 - Emmaboda, Emmaboda-festival
08/09 - Göteborg, Göteborgskalaset

Askil Holm has enlisted Daniel Hovik as a new member for his backing band on keyboards. Daniel used to play with Askil in the band Attack and also currently plays with Hugo, who will be playing at the upcoming Kristiansand show too. The rest of the band's dates going into fall:

06/05 - Tønsberg, Event
06/07 - Isle of Jøa, Faksdal Pub
06/13 - Rockstock, Rakkestad
06/28 - "Agent Cody Banks" Premiere, Fredrikstad
06/30 - Kristiansand, Quart - Kick Off, Markens
07/10 - Høylandet, Høylandet Revyfestival
07/12 - Stavern Festivalen
07/19 - Tjøme, Gamle Ormelet (unplugged)
07/26 - Etne, Fugl Fønix
08/07 - SU Leir, Tvedestrand
08/08 - Steinkjer Martnan, Torget
08/15 - Namsos Martnan, Festplassen
08/27 - Steinkjer, Studenten
09/04 - Bergen, Kvarteret
09/12 - Stjørdal, Hell Bluesfestival
09/19 - Verdal, Catz

Mon, 19 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Okay, I know it's totally goofy, but I posted an mp3 excerpt of the new Weird Al track that parodies The Hives. Download it on the right.

Scandinavianleather.com has put up a Turbonegro trivia contest to compete for special limited edition copies of the new album.

JR Ewing has two new interviews online, one from sandiegopunk.com and another from punk/porn site burningangel.com. And as said before, there's also been another date added on the upcoming Turbonegro/Surferosa Norweigan stadium tour on May 30 in Fredrikstad. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to get yours if you want to attend.

The Cardigans have posted an interview that Magnus did with Amir, Henrik and Mattias, the three gentlemen behind the recent videos. In other news, the band has added a woman named Eva on as their temporary sixth member to play keyboard, guitar and sing back ups on the upcoming summer tour dates. "She is very nice, 163 tall, brunette, a little older than us, very experienced in the Swedish music scene. And she is good looking," they say.

Bergland Productions has announced that Cucumber Slumber (feat. Ståle Storløkken of Supersilent) has started work on a new record and should have it out sometime this coming fall. The band's last album "New Cumber" came out in 2001.

The Sounds will be on David Letterman tonight. Check local listings for airtime.

StillHoldingOn.net recently did an interview with Swedish hardcore act Misconduct. The band also confirmed a bunch of shows on their upcoming European tour with 25 Ta Life. Go here for the latest.

KVLR has posted a whole bunch of new pictures from their recent time in the studio. They recorded a total of four new songs for their next album and plan to do the rest after they return from tour at the end of the summer. And yeah, like I said before, they've been getting assistance from Marcus and Lena of Komeda. If the rough mix stuff I've heard is any indication, the record is gonna be great. Can't wait.

The buzz-band Radio Dept. will be heading over to the US for a few select west coast dates:

07/10-13 - San Francisco, CA - Pop Holiday Fest at Bottom Of The Hill w/Even As We Speak, Aerospace, Pipas, Evening Lights, more
07/15 - Portland, OR at The Blackbird w/Aerospace, Pipas, Evening Lights, The Frenchmen
07/16 - Seattle, WA at Chop Suey

Håkan Hellström will be releasing a new single for the song "Mitt Gullbergs Kaj Paradis" on June 20 that'll include two new songs for b-sides. Just in time for the Kalas tour, eh?

Neovoid has posted a review of ex-black metal band Manes new album "Vilosophe". The label Code666 describes them as a mix of Katatonia, Radiohead and Aphex Twin, but I'm not sure I'd completely agree with that assesment myself. Katatonia yes, but that's a no-brainer for this sort of pop-infused avant metal. Anyhow, I agree that it's a good album and well worth investigating for people who are into different kinds of heavy music.

Read PopMatter's review of "Sky Pilots", the latest album from Finland's Flaming Sideburns.

The full schedule and set times for Pop Dakar have been published. Check it out. Bands scheduled to appear include Paris, Bear Quartet, First Floor Power, Radio Dept. and more.

Here's a short tour diary with photos and video from the recent Narcissists tour in Germany.

Swedish webzine Samson & Rourke has put up a featured review and contest for Logh.

Big news from Nasum! Bassplayer Jesper has decided to leave as to focus on his other band Burst, which he has been involved with for over 10 years with some of his childhood friends. There's no animosity on anyone's part, the time just came to make a decision between the two projects. Read the full statement from the band on the subject. In other smaller news, Nasum has added Urban Skytt from Regurgitate on 2nd guitar and put up a newly redesigned website. As mentioned before, the band will play a record release show for the new album "Helvete" at Hotel Continental in Örebro on May 24.

I first talked about it way back in March, but here's a new MIC Norway feature on the upcoming 'Midnight Sun' tour featuring Supersilent, DJ Strangefruit, Arve Henriksen and Sidsel Endresen that's coming to the UK later this month. Those dates again:

05/22 - Exeter, Phoenix
05/23 - Bath, Bath International Music Festival Pavillion
05/24 - Belfast, Crescent Arts Centre
05/25 - Salisbury, Salisbury Festival
05/26 - Birmingham, Medicine Bar
05/27 - Liverpool, Unity Theatre
05/28 - London, 93 Feet East

Unioncarbideproductions.com sends word that there will indeed be a promo CD from the band available at Hultsfred this year featuring newly remixed versions of the songs "Be Myself Again" and "San Fransisco Boogie". There's also word of a potential commerical release for the single, but nothing's been decided yet. Also by way of UCP.com, comes this article paying tribute to the band. Check it out.

Expressen reports that Timbuktu will be contributing music to the film "Hip Hop Hora". It was directed by Teresa Fabik and premieres on February 6. Björn Kjellman stars. Read more. (in Swedish)

The new album from The Perishers will come out in September with the first single "Sway" to drop in June.

Jakob Hellman, Helena Bergström, Kjell Höglund & Johan Johansson and Tomas Di Leva have all been added to the roster of the Visfestivalen which takes place in Västervik on July 10-12.

Dates scheduled so far for the upcoming Avrikafest tour, featuring the band Kamera along with various DJs and more:

05/30 - Oslo, So What
05/31 - Fredrikstad, Dis Café
06/01 - Göteborg, Sticky Fingers
06/03 - Malmö
06/04 - Örebro
06/05 - Linköping, Platens Bar
06/06 - Stockholm, Debaser/Ultrachrome
06/07 - Karlstad, Arena

Norway's Moonfog records, the label run by Satyr of Satyricon, has signed the new band Disiplin to their roster. The band was started by Savant M of Myrkskog back in 2000 and will be entering the studio in August to record their debut album. "It´s very rare that a new band on the scene succeeds in catching my interest on the strength of a demo alone," says Satyr, "apart from the obvious fact that I enjoy their music and that I have a great belief in their potential, I think they have that undistinguishable Moonfog sound." And the sound he's talking about? Well, Savant describes the band as "based on old school black metal with inspiration from thrash and death metal." Read a recent interview with the band here. (in Norweigan)

Check out the latest edition of reviews and samples from Brainwashed, including writeups on Scandinavian artists such as Supersilent, Erkki Kurenniemi, the "Arctic Hysteria - Early Finnish Avant-Gardeners" comp, and more.

Here's some new dates from Sunride:

06/12 - Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland w/Endstand
08/16 - Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland w/Sweatmaster, Minus SF
08/30 - FUZZFEST 2, Musikens Hus, Göteborg, Sweden w/Mushroom River Band, Terra Firma, Awesome Machine, more

The new album "Through The Red" comes out today and the band will be playing around Europe later this month.

The Hommos have rescheduled their gig at the Barfly Camden in London from May 26 to the 27th.

Johan Bergqvist has finished up work on the video for the song "Lovelace" and posted it online. Check it: low / high
The track comes from a mini-album that was released last September and is being reissued later this summer as a precursor to the forthcoming full length.

More US press for David & the Citizens: The album "For All Happy Endings" is now reviewed on indiepages.com.

Rumor has it that Thirdimension is planning a US tour in the near future.

Another sign things are probably not okay for The (International) Noise Conspiracy? Keyboardist Sara Almgren has been recruited by Marit Bergman to play guitar in her touring band. If you weren't already aware, Sara used to play guitar for the all-girl hardcore/metal act Doughnuts. They released a couple reconds on Victory in the mid-90s. Anyhow, Marit has decided to ditch the guitar on stage so she can, I assume, focus more on her singing. Look for her on the Kalas tour this summer, among other festival dates. In other news, my sources tell me she plans on doing five different cover tunes for her new EP "From Now On" which comes out on June 12. More details when I get 'em.

Laakso will be heading into the studio soon to lay down the tracks for their debut full length. They say to expect a good live sound as evidenced already on their debut EP "Long Beach".

The terminally underappreciated Notre Dame, led by the multitalented Snowy Shaw (Dream Evil, ex-Mercyful Fate, Illwill, etc.), reports that they have completed work on the new album "Creepshow Freakshow Peepshow". Originally titled "Vaudeville le Devil", the album will be the first lacking guitarist Jean-Pierre De Sade and should be out later this year from Osmose Productions.