IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Joachim Dahlberg, solo

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:31:48 -0700

Joachim Dahlberg (ex-Closer) is working on establishing himself as a proper Swedish singer/songwriter and has posted a bunch of demo tunes at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/joachimdahlberg

Dyno - New noise (video)

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:59:29 -0700

Kind of weird to watch this video without actually hearing Refused, but it does bridge the gap between Dyno and Closer. I dig it! Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UrEQGuOlSU

Dyno - Don't speak love (video)

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:43:20 -0700

Hard to believe some of the guys from Dyno used to be in Closer, but hey, people are complicated. Looks like the transition to mainstream pop is complete and good for them, they do a great job with it. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4HLukqkG9Q

Dyno album preview?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:28:19 -0800

Dyno (ex-Closer) are streaming a bunch of new song clips from what I presume will be their debut album: http://www.myspace.com/dynodynodyno

DontStopThePop interviews Dyno

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:56:19 -0700

DontStopThePop interviews Dyno, the new pop band that rose from the ashes of Closer: http://dontstopthepop.blogspot.com/2009/03/amazing-dyno-get-interviewed.html

Dyno gets emotional

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:04:05 -0800

Dyno (ex-Closer/Bright Oak) has a new track on myspace called "Emotional", easily some of their best material yet: http://www.myspace.com/dynodynodyno
Perhaps I need to reconsider my previous assessment?

MP3: Dyno - Deliverance

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:35:01 -0800

From Closer to The Bright Oak to... Dyno? From progressive hardrock to... dance music? "Deliverance is essentially a reworking of Bright Oak's "The undertow" with sharper rhythm and more emotional distance. It's still a good song with a strong, uplifting chorus, but I have to admit that I much prefer the original. Live drumming and a slightly more relaxed tempo give the song room to breath and the original lyrics on the chorus flow far better than the yeah yeah yeahs put in their place. However, despite my initial bum-out, I'm giving these guys time. It's just that it's incredibly hard for me to not compare them to past bands, especially when they come so closely on the heels of one another. Hold it together, wait and see what happens.

MP3: Bright Oak - On the list

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:46:10 -0700

When Closer first disbanded, the core membership went on to form The Goatboys, a short-lived project that was intended to be a stripped-down version of their previous act. Faster, shorter, less complicated; back to basics, if you will. Unfortunately, nothing really ever came of them except a few rough demos, but now those same guys have moved on yet again to form Bright Oak. I'm unaware if the guys had any high-minded intentions with this act, but I can tell you that the name "historically stands as a notable meeting place for wise and powerful people to share information and solve problems." Judging from that, I'd say that yes, they do have big plans, I'm just not privy to them yet. As for the music, the most important part, it's somewhere between The Goatboys and Closer. The first three songs they've recorded are definitely the most "mainstream" material I've heard from them so far. Not as raw as The Goatboys, neither are they as proggressive as Closer. The arrangements are verse/chorus oriented and none extend beyond 4:30 in length. They slip in a few tricks here and there, but it's very subtle -- an odd melody here and there, maybe a short rhythmic interlude. It is definitely pop music. The choruses are big, uplifting and immediate. Everything is clear and concise. I miss Closer's tendency towards secrecy and conceptualism because a higher barrier of entry often makes for an overall more rewarding listening experience, but I also understand the frustration of playing music like that without having people "get it". Bright Oak, for better or worse, plays music that is very easy to get. I look forward to hearing more.

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:07 -0700

It appears that ex-Closer act The Goatboys was short-lived as members Alx Reuterskiöld (guitar), Jesper Örtegren (drums) and Joachim Dahlberg (guitar) have moved on to yet another new act, this one called Bright Oak. Listen to demos at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thebrightoak
Less heavy, more melodic, but still undeniably awesome as far as I'm concerned.

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:27:12 -0800

The Goatboys, the band built on the charred remains of IAT favorites Closer, have posted two demo tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thegoatboys

Closer The 39 Closersounds

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Progressive metal has, to be honest, never been up my alley. There are some bands out there with those tendencies I approve of, like King Crimson, Opeth and TOOL among others. And Closer share similarities with the latter in general, the album "Ænima" in particular. The build up to the chorus on "Sensing the wake" is pure genius using elements from folklore, something TOOL's not afraid of doing either. Otherwise, this newly disbanded Stockholm-based combo sure gets my kicks off in all tracks on this EP. Don't know if it's something geographical but you can definitely hear the Scandinavian touch to it. Resembling Cult of Luna and Khoma and even, at times, At the Drive-In, it's a damn shame they decided to call it quits. Let's just hope that offspring act The Goatboys will be as promising.

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:11:09 -0800

The playlist for my radio show this week featured all of my favorite songs from 2007:

01. Susanne Sundfør - I resign
02. TALK 1
03. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
04. The Skull Defekts - The secret
05. Ted Gärdestad - Räcker jag till
06. TALK 2
07. CS Nielsen - Black spots
08. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. The Bombettes - I wanna
11. TALK 3
12. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
13. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
14. The Bell - I am history
15. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
16. TALK 4
17. Mainliners - Olivia
18. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
19. Karin Ström - Ordlös
20. TALK 5
21. Fun - I've got a truck
22. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
23. Juvelen - Hanna
24. TALK 6
25. Laakso - Worst case scenario
26. Closer - Sensing the wake
27. Asha Ali - A promise broken
28. TALK 7
29. Paper - My life is going under
30. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
31. Lukestar - White shade
32. TALK 8
33. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
34. Aerial - You will all die, all things will
35. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
36. TALK 9

Next week (12/29) I'm doing another special theme show on Swedish postpunk.

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:56:57 -0800

Another day, another top 10 - today's list comes from Joachim Dahlberg of Closer and includes the message that the band is, sadly, no more. RIP. Otherwise, for those that might've missed it, check out our own top album picks for 2007 right here and listen to our top tracks of 2007 podcast.

Top 10s for 2007: Joachim Dahlberg (ex-Closer)

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

1. bonding with nature and the universe. or my precious guitar. it's a tie.

3. new people, new places, new ideas, new views, new questions.

6. the northern sky. dear nicky.

9. found my creativity. apperently i had lost it in the woods.

5. Van Morrison. the mystery and honesty and heart. folking brilliant.

10. into the wild. the book. the music. the motion picture.

8. emotional storm. avishai. met him on an island and fell in love.

2. magic. and love. and words. and magic... and love.

4. writing letters.

7. learning acupressure.

---------------------------
Joachim Dahlberg was the vocalist for Closer, a promising Stockholm-based rock act that recently disbanded. Together with fellow ex-members Alx Reuterskiöld (guitar) and Jesper Örtegren (drums), they have a new band called The Goatboys.
www.myspace.com/closersounds
www.closersounds.com

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:27:34 -0800

Closer guitarist Alx Reuterskiöld has made a new myspace profile for his soundtrack compositions: http://www.myspace.com/carooze

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:21:28 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Boys of Scandinavia - Beautiful as a person
02. TALK 1
03. Don't Be A Stranger - Perfect problem
04. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
05. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
06. TALK 2
07. Deathbed - When hope leaves a body
08. Closer - Sensing the wake
09. TALK 3
10. The Tarantula Waltz - Two arrows
11. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
12. Anna Järvinen - Götgatan
13. TALK 4
14. Eric Malmberg - Slutet på en epok
15. Mustasch - Bring me everyone
16. September - Until I die
17. TALK 5
18. Leütenhaven - Still life (trompe l'oeil)
19. Frode Haltli - The latter
20. Lykke Li - Little bit
21. TALK 6
22. Downstairs - Peephole city
23. The Cardigans - Don't blame your daughter (Diamonds)
24. Paris - When I laid my eyes on you
25. TST - We are the kids
26. TALK 7
27. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
28. Mikko Singh - Palmun juurella
29. Audionom - Dc2
30. TALK 8
31. Ulver - Solitude
32. The Psyke Project - I get paralyzed
33. Silverbullit - Winter coat
34. TALK 9
35. Bodies Without Organs (BWO) - Let it rain
36. Icos - On my own
37. Torpedo - Hang me high
38. TALK 10
39. Graveyard - Satan's finest

FYI, in case you missed my announcement: next week will be a spooky Halloween-themed program.

MP3: Closer - Sensing the wake

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Tuesdays are new release days here in the US, so it's quite appropriate that I just added a vast quantity of new items to the webstore. Yep, new fall releases are on the way in, but not only that - I've also picked up a whole load of reissue/remasters such as the Ebba Grön discography and the rest of the MNW "Klassiker" series. "Svensk postpunk" has been restocked as well and its price reduced. I also am finally getting restocks of Hello Saferide's excellent "Would you let me..." EP (about time!). Oh, and I also got copies of Laakso's superb 2005 album "My gods" for a good price. However, the one new addition that I know a lot of people have been waiting for is the release of Closer's new EP "The 39". Maybe you remember when I posted about it in early June, but if not, I've reposted opening track "Sensing the wake" again for your listening pleasure. Simply put, this is some of the best heavy rock music you'll hear this year. Hard to believe, but this new EP is even darker and more epic than the debut "Tokpela". The only question is where do they go from here? What path do you take when you're already at the summit?

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. At the Gates - Suicide nation
02. TALK 1
03. Moving Oos - Stronger
04. Eskju Divine - Hold on
05. Mechanical Bird - Sunday
06. TALK 2
07. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
08. DS13 - Thrash lifestyle
09. Montt Mardié - Metropolis
10. Junior Senior - Can I get get get
11. TALK 3
12. Niccokick - Love & neon lights
13. Kristofer Åström - I collect knives
14. Death Breath - His protoplasmic worship
15. TALK 4
16. Mob - Ghost track
17. MZ412 - Unhealing wounds
18. Ugress - Manhattan sapphire
19. TALK 5
20. Shining - Låt oss ta allt från darandra
21. No Hope for the Kids - Rainy day
22. Moneybrother - Det blir ingen dans
23. Amandine - For all the marbles
24. TALK 6
25. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
26. Last Days of April - Aspirins and alcohol
27. M:40 - När bomberna faller
28. TALK 7
29. Espen Jørgensen - The immaculate conception
30. Motorpsycho - For free
31. The Carny - Man under the sun
32. TALK 8
33. Karin Ström - Klaustrofobi
34. Badun - Pulsen
35. Meshuggah - Future breed machine
36. Värttinä - Mero
37. TALK 9
38. Randy - Better than art
39. Closer - Open casket
40. Alog - Buffalo demon
41. TALK 10
42. On Trial - Speaking of witch

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The video for "Open casket" from IAT favorites Closer is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlmCsEbJ35w
Recommended!

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

If you dug the Closer mp3 from yesterday, be sure to check out the other two tracks from "The 39" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/closersounds

MP3: Closer - Sensing the wake

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

We're six months into 2007 and our halftime reports are now posted. There's been a good number of strong releases so far this year, Säkert! being a collective favorite and others such as Laakso, Shout Out Louds, Isolation Years, Aerial and Familjen making multiple lists. Whittling our individual picks to three each can be difficult, but I think it forces us to be more decisive and discerning.
One act that didn't make by list, but surely deserves a place is Closer. Problem is, their new EP "The 39" isn't officially released yet and I didn't want to be all, "this is the year's best record and no, you can't hear it." Actually, I did play the track "Sensing the wake" on my radio show a couple times, but I really have no idea how many people heard it. Well, those problems are now a thing of the past as the kind dudes of Closer have decided to let me offer up "Sensing the wake" as a free download. Still no word on an official release, but it'll come - just wait.
For those that have missed my description of the band in the past, Closer plays what I can only describe as intelligent rock music. It's heavy and dark, but not exactl metal and it has the intensity of hardcore without being, y'know, hardcore. The musicianship is stellar as well, but never too showy. Fellow musicians will pick up on it, but there's no conspicuous solos or anything else to draw attention to it. Thematically, the EP is a concept piece along the same lines of "Tokpela", their debut. This time, it's based on a linear story centered around a single person and a series of events. Various similar motifs are repeated throughout the record, tying it together as a whole. Vocalist Joachim Dahlberg describes "Sensing the wake" as part one, "where the sensing part is actually just the saxophone intro, the calm before the storm." Beyond that, you're on your own. Closer loves to be mysterious and is happy to let you draw your own conclusions.

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show on Sirius this week:

01. Beyond Dawn - Far from showbiz
02. TALK 1
03. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
04. The Fine Arts Showcase - Dance with your shadow
05. Pan Sonic - Hinaaja / Tugboat
06. TALK 2
07. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Hold
08. The Bear Quartet - I don't wanna
09. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - When she's GONE
10. TALK 3
11. Laakso - High drama
12. Park Hotell - The guest who stayed forever
13. Fun - Hold it close
14. TALK 4
15. The Book of Daniel - Rabbit boy
16. Watain - Storm of the Antichrist
17. Viktor Sjöberg - w/Nothing
18. Kristofer Åström - Fallen
19. TALK 5
20. Mainliners - Olivia
21. Oddjob - Kings are walking out
22. Lemonator - Heart burns
23. TALK 6
24. Tobias Hellkvist - Slowly but surely
25. Attrap - Just a word away
26. Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
27. TALK 7
28. The Leather Nun - No rule
29. Alog - Son of king
30. Thunder Express - Vegas
31. TALK 8
32. Closer - Sensing the wake

Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

IAT faves Closer have enlisted Kim Wennerström of God Damn Trio as an additional live guitarist. The enhanced lineup will make their live debut at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 9 (12pm, Gibson stage).

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Last night's Sirius Blog Radio playlist:

01. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
02. TALK 1
03. Asha Ali - These months
04. Boys of Scandinavia - Why do you love me? (radio edit)
05. Promoe - Headache
06. TALK 2
07. Closer - Sensing the wake
08. The Bear Quartet - Mom and dad
09. TALK 3
10. Kristofer Åström - Just a little insane
11. Familjen - Kom säger dom
12. Pavan - The bird
13. TALK 4
14. Kazakstan - Song to the past
15. Universal Poplab - Vampire in you
16. TALK 5
17. Scraps of Tape - Death as it should be
18. ARM - Drving by accident
19. The Idealist - The knives are my eyes
20. TALK 6
21. Tsukimono - Gathering heavy breathing
22. Pimentola - Wish upon a fallen star
23. Plain Fade - Uliaan leski
24. TALK 7
25. The Skull Defekts - Six six for eyes
26. Logh - Into the night
27. TALK 8
28. Aerial - You will all die, all things will
29. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
30. Audrey - Views
31. TALK 9
32. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Ashen like the sky

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Last night's playlist for my show on Sirius Blog Radio:

01. Isolation Years - Yellow cross on blue
02. TALK 1
03. Johndoe - Nattskift
04. Montys Loco - Wasteland
05. Once We Were - Cut corners
06. TALK 2
07. [ingenting] - Mycket vasen for ingenting
08. Margaret Berger - Robot song
09. Namur - Marching
10. Lampshade - New legs
11. TALK 3
12. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
13. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
14. Fattaru - 100:-
15. Juvelen - Hanna
16. TALK 4
17. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
18. Sonores - 16th of June
19. Detektivbyrån - E18
20. TALK 5
21. At the Gates - The swarm
22. Barra Head - Kill the lights
23. TALK 6
24. The Tough Alliance - Leg 7
25. Torpedo - My evil twin
26. Alog - Catch that totem!
27. TALK 7
28. Valley Days - 10k angels
29. A-ha - Celice
30. Victims - Who the fuck are we?
31. TALK 8
32. The Vicious - Alienated
33. Viola - Unreal life
34. Zweizz - Nowadays the only boring everything is so frustrating
35. Viktor Sjöberg - Winter guitars
36. TALK 9
37. Closer - The talker
38. Aerial - My god, it's full of stars!
39. The Kissaway Trail - La la song
40. Laakso - Italy vs Helsinki
41. The Psyke Project - Panic
42. TALK 10
43. C.Aarmé - We are the world

Next week: expect lots more killer jams including totally a brand new track from Closer and maybe even a spotlight set on post-rock/ambient music. Good times!

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Nucleus webzine interviews IAT faves Closer: http://www.nucleusprog.com.ar/ingles/r-closer.htm

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Check out a new recently published review of Closer's "Tokpela EP": http://www.dprp.net/reviews/200708.php#closer
One of my favorite releases of 2006.

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Closer went into Helter Skelter Studio in Stockholm today to start recording a new EP. Seeing as they were one of my favorite new acts from 2006, I've got high hopes for 2007.

Top 10s for 2006: It's a trap!

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Official top 10 releases for 2006, in alphabetical order:

There was a glut of good music in 2006, but only a few truly great albums. I found myself enjoying a very high percentage of the music that came my way, but very little remained in regular rotation for any length of time. Too much of a good thing? Perhaps. Regardless, I had some trouble compiling my list since I wanted to ensure that my selections were fit for posterity. That means albums like The Knife's "Silent shout" and Motorpsycho's "Black hole/black canvas" were out, despite being admirable pieces of work. They deserve high praise, but I simply didn't listen to them that much. Similarly, I'm From Barcelona and Peter Bjorn and John were off the list because their 2006 releases pale in comparison to what came before (both the original "Sing!!" demo EP from IFB and PB&J's "Falling out" are 100% unfuckwithable). What's left? Well, lots actually. The difficulty is separating all the 8s from the 9s and 10s. Let's get going then:

01. Aerial - Black rain from the bombing (Nomethod)
It came out in January and stuck with me throughout the entire year. That alone says something. As for the music, it's an amazing display of epic bombast and twisting riffs. Why can't more post-rock be noisy like this?
MP3: Time is on fire

02. The Book of Daniel - Songs for the Locust King (Black Star Foundation)
A late in the year release so I was reluctant to list it, but there's no denying the quality. Full of wisdom and poetry.
MP3: The camels parade

03. C.Aarmé - Vita (Carcrash/Burning Heart)
The brightest stars always burn out the fastest. RIP.
MP3: We are the world

04. Closer - Tokpela EP (Closersounds)
One of those bands I fell in love with the moment I first heard it. Heavy rock doesn't get better than this.
MP3: Open casket

05. Johndoe - Dødvinkel (JHND)
This one snuck up on me and is probably the one record on this list I've listened to the most.
MP3: Kjøtere

06. Montys Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
God, I hate the genre label 'folktronic', but I really can't think of a better way to describe this. Quirky instrumentation and arrangements aside, the music is simply brilliant and would work in any context.
MP3: Wasteland

07. Namur - Songs from the Valley of Baca (Thehourislate)
It's probably for the best that David Åhlén retired this stage moniker because this will be hard to top. Nothing wrong with quitting while you're ahead.
MP3: Marching

08. Raison d'Être - Metamorphyses (Cold Meat Industry)
I honestly don't believe I've heard another dark-ambient album this good. Ever.
MP3: Metamorphyses phase I

09. Oskar Schönning - Happy jazz, please (Amigo)
Another one of those records that found its way into steady rotation without much thought. Echoes of that other famous bassist/bandleader Charles Mingus along with fellow Swede Jan Johansson, but with an ear to the future.
MP3: Happy jazz, please

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
These guys asked me if I wanted to co-release this with them and I said no because I thought I was too busy. I blew it.
MP3: Jonathan

Best two demos I heard all year: Circle Six and Iisole

Four favorite non-Scandinavian releases:
Converge - No heroes (Epitaph)
Kayo Dot - Dowsing anenome with copper tongue (Robotic Empire)
Jesu - Silver (Hydra Head)
Rome - Berlin (Cold Meat Industry)

Two old metal warhorses who prove that age doesn't mean a thing: Iron Maiden & Slayer

What to expect for 2007? Well, my predicted goth revival for 2006 didn't live up to expectations even though it seemed to spawn quite a few excellent releases (The Kid and 1999, for example). Regardless, I'm not going to let that stop me from making more asinine predictions. My pick for the new trend of 2007: industrial/EBM. I swear, it's gonna happen. It's time.

Honorable mentions:
Asha Ali - s/t (NONS)
Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
Kazakstan - s/t (Katalyst)
Knife and Ape - Hex! (Deleted Art)
Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
Lemonator - At the presence of great beauty (Odor)
Once We Were - Contra (Tenderversion)
Britta Persson - Top quality bones... (Amigo)
Plain Fade - Aure (Punos Sound)
Promoe - White man's burden (Burning Heart)
Tsukimono - Neé (Kalligrammofon)

Top 10s for 2006: Closer

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

01. Tool (live in Gothenburg)

02. Mew (band)

03. The Baritone (instrument)

04. MySpace (hack)

05. Converge - No Heroes (album)

06. God Damn Trio (band, www.goddamntrio.com)

07. Satyricon (live in Gothenburg)

08. Caché (movie)

09. Halloween (costume party)

10. Laleh (live on Swedish morning show Nyhetsmorgon)

---------------------------

Closer is officially booked to record their second EP during the first week of January. They are currently in the midst of rehearsing, preparing and arranging. It might get darker and even more intricate this time around.
www.closersounds.com
www.myspace.com/closersounds

MP3: Closer - Occam's razor

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

We've got a different kind of flashback post this Friday. Instead of the usual oldie track from a favorite artist, Closer has afforded me the opportunity to post an exclusive mp3 of "Occam's razor", a brand new recording of an old song. The band, as you'll read in their top 10 posted today, is currently preparing to record a new EP, but in the meantime they figured they'd commit this song to tape kind of as a testament to where they've been. It's not too different from the material on the "Tokpela EP" - it's still as dark and heavy as always, layered with lush guitars and clean, melodic vocals. As I've said before, intelligent rock music is way too rare nowadays and there's scant few other bands out there making music like this and even fewer doing it as well. If you're a fan of bands like Dredg (whose new live album is pretty great btw), A Perfect Cirlce or maybe fellow Swedes Enter the Hunt, Closer is another band you need to check out. The aforementioned "Tokpela EP" is another one of my top picks for 2006 and I can only assume that whatever they do next will be even more amazing.

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Enter the Hunt's debut full-length "For life. 'Til death. To Hell. With love" has been confirmed for release on August 23. There's no samples from the album yet, but you can still preview three tracks from the "Become the prey" EP on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/enterthehunt
Definitely recommended for people in melodic heaviness ala Khoma or Closer. Or 'intelligent heavy rock', as I like to say.

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

They ran (or are still running) a bit late, but the latest edition of Famous for 15mb is now online with contributions from IAT favorites Closer plus Is_felt (SWE), P Jørgensen (DK), Claes & Johan (SWE) and tons more: http://www.famousfor15mb.com/

Profile: Closer

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Name: Closer

From: Stockholm, Sweden

Sounds like: Dark and heavy intelligent rock.

Listen: Open casket

Discography:
2006 - Tokpela EP (Closersounds) [BUY IT]

Links:
www.closersounds.com
www.myspace.com/closersounds

People love to bitch about how useless and overwhelming myspace can be, but I'm here to tell you that it is not all for naught. I first discovered Closer on myspace and was immediately blown away by the samples they had posted. The evocative cover image from their EP that they use as their avatar was enough to catch my eye and get me interested and their compelling music made me an instant fan. Being one of the first people to "discover" the band is even more exciting, as it makes even more fulfilling for me to share my enthusiasm with the world.

Who are you and where are you from?

I (Joachim Dahlberg) sing in a progressive rock quintet called Closer, and I am, as is the rest of the band, from Stockholm, Sweden.

Why should anyone care about Closer? What makes you special?

Don't really have a good sales pitch here, it's music, not a used car. But I can say this; don't expect the hoi polloi to praise us; our music is, as Andrew (of Aversionline) so eloquently put it, "much more involved than cursory listens might reveal".

How do you pronounce the band's name? Like closing a door? Or as in nearer?

It's either - just a short, simple, sweet sounding word, or has some profound deep meaning too complex for words... We almost named the band A Pile of Dudes.

The band crash-lands on a deserted island and is forced to survive by turning cannibalistic. Who gets eaten first? Why?

Jesper, our muscular drummer; it's all about the proteins.

What was the first record you ever bought? how do you feel about it now?

1984, Twisted Sister - "Stay Hungry"
I wanted to buy this Kiss album, "Creatures of the night", but my brother, who is older than me, said "Kiss is my favorite group, get your own... how about Twisted Sister?" - and so I had a favorite band. Still a kick ass record... [ed: agreed!] Then I discovered Aerosmith.

Since it's almost midsummer, what's the best thing about this time of year? Or the worst? What's one of your best summertime memories?

There really are few places in the world that can hold a candle to the Swedish summer, so I'll go with the disrobing of all the beautiful people - or maybe sill - for the best thing about this time of year. And the blazing, blinding, constant sun in my eyes for the worst, I really do like clouds.
One of my best summertime memories would be on one of those mornings, I'd rise, rise up singing, I'd spread my wings, child, and take, take to the sky. Lord, the sky. Me and Janis.

And finally, what does the future hold for Closer?

The immediate future holds working on some new, intricate, extended, exciting songs and rehearsing. A more distant future holds magazine features, and it may or may not hold a video for the song "Open casket" because the production seems to have been postponed indefinitely at the moment. We're also shopping for support and hopefully we'll manage to put out a full length at some point. And of course we're always looking to do shows and to better ourselves.

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The IAT! profile series continues with a feature on Closer, one of my new favorite bands: [click here]

Syracus Sleeping thermostats Duplicate Records

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Melodramatic pop from Norway with a dark and heavy edge, as would be expected considering the label this is on (Beyond Dawn, etc.). Think mid-period Radiohead, but far more rhythmic and discordant. A bit proggier too, kinda like Dredg or Swedish act Closer. I think the performance on this recording tends to be a bit on the stiff side, but the music is good enough to merit a recommendation anyway.

Mon, 15 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Aversionline on Closer and the "Tokpela" EP: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/05/soon-your-world-will-turn-to-grey.html
Andrew and I both are totally 100% on the same page with this band. Amazing stuff and well worth the price.

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

Melodic.net reviews Closer: http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=4517
As mentioned earlier this week, physical copies of their amazing "Tokpela" EP are now in stock: [click here]

Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I finally just received physical copies of Closer's "Tokpela" EP and holy shit - the packaging is AMAZING. Embossed glossy o-card with a solid black case, a stunning cover image - the works. I'm actually so damn excited about Closer and this CD that I'm going to willingly lose money on it in order to make sure that everyone can buy it at a reasonable price. Don't worry about the band losing out, I've already got them covered. Get on it now because this offer won't last: [click here]

Tue, 09 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish act Closer has revamped their website a bit: http://closersounds.com/
I should be getting physical copies of their excellent debut EP "Tokpela" very soon! In the meantime, paid mp3s are still available: [click here]

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Vote for IAT favorites Closer to play at this year's Sweden Rock fest: http://www.swedenrock.com/index.cfm?pageID=177

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish dark melodic rock act Closer reports that they finally have physical CD copies of their debut EP "Tokpela" and hopefully I'll be able to snag a few for the store soon. There's a good reason I made it February's record of the month and I've been told that the packaging is killer. In other news, the band is still working on an animated video for the song "Open casket" with Elin Cederborg and it should hopefully be done soon.

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Happy February - the new record of the month is the "Tokpela" from Closer. It was a dead-heat between them and Aerial for the coveted top spot, but I had to go with the exclusive release that's only for sale here. Don't let me discourage you though - both bands are most definitely worth your time (and money). And for all you folks who missed out on last month's exclusive Kristofer Åström paid download: you snooze, you lose. The limited time offer is over.

Closer Tokpela EP Closersounds

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Avi likes these Swedes a lot. To be completely honest, this time at least, he is right. Closer combine a few different influences in a melting pot that ends up being better than what their influences have churned out in recent years. There is a bit of Tool, QotSA and a more melodic aspect that reminds me of a few melodic-metal bands of the mid-nineties (Only Living Witness and Chum for example.) Probably not conscious but I find that they resemble 1995-98 Anathema in mood and arrangements while being significantly more up tempo. This EP has me wanting more, can't beat that.

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Besides the recent webstore addition of a bunch of excellent releases from Norwegian experimental/electronic label Melektronikk yesterday, I am now quite pleased to announce that I am now selling Closer's debut EP "Tokpela" exclusively as a cheap paid mp3 download. This band blew me away the very first time I heard them, so I'm excited to offer everyone else a chance to check them out. Also, for those of you willing to be patient, be aware that physical CDs of the EP are currently in production and I've been told that the packaging is extra special. So yeah, if you're an old fogey like me who that's still partial to physical objects, it might be worth it to wait. All you young whippersnappers, click here.

MP3: Closer - Open casket

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

New mp3 today from Closer, an up-and-coming Stockholm-based act that I think sounds like a darker, more melodic version of At the Drive In. Or maybe imagine a prog-ier version of Khoma/Koma. It's heavy, but not exactly what I'd consider metal. I immediately knew these guys were something special when I downloaded a song from their website and listening to all four tracks from their as-yet-unreleased "Tokpela" EP only confirms my gut feeling was 100% on-point. The band has a very clear intent and vision to what they want to do and it's surprising that no label has snapped them up yet, but I can't imagine that the situation will last too much longer. The world needs more intelligent rock bands like Closer and they're simply too good to ignore. Heck, if I wasn't so strapped for cash I'd pony up the money myself. Spread the word: this is a band to watch.

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

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Download "The talker" from Stockholm-based heavy rock act Closer: http://closersounds.com/sounds/Closer_03_The_Talker.mp3
The track comes from the band's debut EP "Tokpela" and you can hear more at the band's myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/closersounds
I like what I hear - recommended for fans of Khoma/Koma and other melodic, but still heavy acts.