IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Plector post album for streaming, announce imminent demise

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:49:21 -0700

Umeå metal act Plector has announced that their forthcoming album "Punishment day", due out October 31 via Discouraged Records and currently streaming in full at SoundCloud, will be their last. The band's final show will be at the Discouraged Festival in their hometown on September 15 alongside Moloken and Khoma.

New Khoma this fall

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:05:45 -0700

Look for Khoma to release a new limited odds'n'ends comp this fall called "All erodes" which will feature various unreleased material recorded during the sessions for the band's previous three records.

Jeudah album now streaming

Tue, 03 May 2011 18:46:58 -0700

Black Star Foundation has posted Jeudah's new album "While we sleep" for full streaming at Bandcamp: http://blackstarfoundation.bandcamp.com/album/while-we-sleep
As mentioned before, Jeudah is the long-distance collaboration project of Jan Jämte (Khoma) and Kristian Karlsson (Pg.lost, ex-Eskju Divine).

A final storm coming to vinyl

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:31:19 -0700

Khoma's most recent album "A final storm" will be getting 2xLP vinyl release in April.

Tristesse interviews Jeudah, offers preview tune

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:09:07 -0800

Finnish website Tristesse has a new interview with the guys from Jeudah (feat. members from Khoma and Pg.lost) as well as an exclusive stream of a new track from them: http://www.tristesse.fi/2011/03/jeudah-exclusive-song-stream/

Khoma to Friction Fest

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:01:12 -0800

Khoma will make their German live debut on April 22 at the Friction Fest in Berlin.

SR P3 Guld 2011 winners

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:14:38 -0800

All this talk of P3 Guld and I never even listed the winners! Here they are:

Best artist: Robyn - "Body talk pt. 1"
Guldmicken (best live artist): Robyn
Best song: "Dancing on my own" - Robyn
Best group: Johnossi - "Mavericks"
Best newcomer: Tove Styrke
Best dance: Skudge - Various productions
Best hip-hop/soul: Carlito - "Guldburen"
Best pop: This is Head - "0001"
Best rock/metal: Khoma - "A final storm"

Manifest 2011 nominees are go

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:01:37 -0800

The nominees for the 2011 Manifest Awards, Sweden's indie/alternative Grammy, have been announced:

Pop:
Anna von Hausswolff - Singing from the grave (Kning Disk/Playground)
jj - jj No 3 (Sincerely Yours)
CEO - White Magic (Sincerely Yours)
Nicolas Makelberge - The Unforgettable Planet (Emotion)

Dance:
Cloud - Hökarängen Space Program (Hökarängen Space Program)
Dmitry Fyodorov - Shapeless (Adrian Recordings)
Jarl & Fotmeijer - Lifesigns (Innertrax)
Skudge - Samlad produktion (Skudge Records)

Synth:
Code 64 - Trialogue (Progress Productions)
Cryo - Hidden Aggression (Progress Productions)
Page - Nu (BAM / Cosmos Music Group)
Social Ambitions - Almost gone (Electric Fantastic Sound)

Hardrock/Metal:
Ghost - Opus Eponymous (Rise Above)
Watain - Lawless Darkness (Season of Mist)
Khoma - A final storm (Selective notes)
Dark Tranquility - We are the void (Century Media)

Rhythm:
Haci Tekbilek - Türlü (Country & Eastern)
Helt Off - Marknadens Soldat (Pope Records)
Million Stylez - Everyday (Adonai Music)
Serengeti - Standing Steady (Illegyal Records)

Jazz:
Elin Larsson Group - Live and Alive (Playing With Music)
Lekverk - Everyday (Parallell)
NEO (Nässjö Extreme Orchestra) - NEO (Johannes Nästejö - LIV Produktion)
The Country - The Country (Found You Recordings)

Punk/Hardcore
Antipati - Frågor som rör det allmänna (Kjell Hell Records)
Hårda Tider - Gatan Kallar (Hårda Skivor)
Old Fashioned Ideas - We're in this shit together (Old Fashioned Ideas)
The Baboon Show - Punk Rock harbour (National)

Hip-Hop:
Academics - Tare Lugnt 4 (Random Bastards)
Carlito - Guldburen (Redline Records)
PH3 - Löser ett fall (Pope Records)
Zacke - Visst är det vackert (BD Pop)

Rock:
Bad Hands - Take The Money And Run (NONS Records/3NO Music AB)
Dundertåget - Dom feta åren är förbi (Razzia)
Pascal - Orkanen närmar sig (Novoton/3NO Music AB)
The Bear Quartet - Monty Python (Adrian Recordings)

Folk/Visa:
Anders Svensson, Magnus Gustafsson, Susanne Gustafsson, Anders Löfberg, Jörgen Svensson - Bålgetingen, Låtar efter August Strömberg (Giga Folkmusik)
Mats Edén, Daniel Sandén-Warg, Leif Stinnerbom, Magnus Stinnerbom - Anno 2010 (Giga Folkmusik)
OK Star Orchestra - Sound Classique (Dreamboat Music)
Ola Magnell - Rolös (National)

Experimental:
Ombudsman - And His Father Was A Great Machine (Substream/Mareld)
Erik Enocksson - Man tänker sitt (Kning Disk)
Leif Jordansson - The Comet / The Doll Maker (Brus & Knaster)
New Tango Orquesta - Vesper (HOOB Records)

Singer/Songwriter:
I'm Kingfisher - Arctic (Playground)
Daniel Norgren - Horrifying Death Eating Blood Spider (Superpuma Records)
The Tarantula Waltz - Did Not Leave To Find But To Forget, To Leave Behind (Brus & Knaster)
The Tallest Man On Earth - Wild Hunt (Gravitation)

Best live act:
Anna Von Hausswolff
The Tallest Man On Earth
Masshysteri
Robyn

Best unsigned act (in collaboration w/P3 Lab):
Alice B
Katakomb
Ascend
Broken Boys

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 4 at Nalen in Stockholm. More info: http://www.manifestgalan.se/

Jeudah - The edge of the world

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:14:25 -0800

Jeudah, the long-distance collaboration of Jan Jämte (Khoma) and Kristian Karlsson (Pg.lost, ex-Eskju Divine), now have a sample tune online: http://jeudah.bandcamp.com/track/the-edge-of-the-world
Look for the band's debut album "While we sleep" to be released sometime around March/April via Black Star Foundation.

2011 Swedish Grammis

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:42:38 -0800

Here's the nominees for the 2011 Swedish Grammis:

Best album:
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Robyn - Body Talk
Säkert! - Facit
The Radio Dept. - Clinging To a Scheme

Best artist:
Håkan Hellström
Johnossi
Oskar Linnros
Petter
Robyn

Best song:
Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life
Daniel Adams-Ray - Gubben I Lådan
Eric Saade - Manboy
Erik Grönwall - Higher
Johnossi - What's The Point
Mohombi - Bumpy Ride
Oskar Linnros - Från Och Med Du
Robyn - Dancing On my Own
Salem Al Fakir - Keep On Walking
Swedish House Mafia – One

Best group:
Dungen - Skit I Allt
Hästpojken - Från Där Jag Ropar
Johnossi - Mavericks
Kent - En Plats I Solen
The Radio Dept. - Clinging To A Scheme

Best folk/visa:
Blandade Artister - Sonja Åkesson Tolkad Av
First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue
Jonas Knutsson - Blåslåtar
Ola Magnell - Rolös
Toni Holgersson - Ibland Kallar Jag Det Kärlek

Best hardrock/metal:
Ghost - Opus Eponymous
Khoma - A Final Storm
Pascal - Orkanen Närmar Sig
Sabaton - Coat Of Arms
Watain - Lawless Darkness

Best jazz:
Dan Berglunds Tonbruket - Tonbruket
Goran Kajfes - X/Y
Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet - Echoes
Oddjob - Clint
Peter Asplund Quartet - Asplund Meets Bernstein

Best songwriter:
Annika Norlin & Henrik Oja - Facit
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Klas Åhlund & Robyn - Body Talk
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Pernilla Andersson - Ö

Best female artist:
Anna Von Hausswolff - Singing FromThe Grave
Britta Persson - Current Affair Medium Rare
Pernilla Andersson - Ö
Robyn - Body Talk
Säkert! - Facit

Best male artist:
Daniel Adams-Ray - Svart Vitt Och Allt Däremellan
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Salem Al Fakir - Ignore This
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt

Best newcomer:
Anna Von Hausswolff - Singing From The Grave
Ceo - White Magic
First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Swedish House Mafia - Until One

Best producer:
Adrian Lux
Joakim Åhlund & Håkan Hellström
Klas Åhlund
Max Martin
Red One

Best international success:
Dungen
Max Martin
Red One
Robyn
Swedish House Mafia

Best lyrics:
Annika Norlin - Facit
Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg Från Paradise
Ola Magnell - Rolös
Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli
Plura Jonsson - Kärlekens Väg - En Mässa

Best urban/dance:
Boeoes Kaelstigen - Tanum Teleport
Familjen - Mänskligheten
Petter - En Räddare I Nöden
PH3 - PH3 Löser Ett Fall
Swedish House Mafia - Until One

Best Innovator:
Johnossi
Robyn
Nomy
Magnus Weideskog
Iamamiwhoami

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm on January 17.

Jeudah debut in the works

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:06:22 -0700

Jeudah, the sideproject of Khoma frontman Jan Jämte and ex-Eskju Divine/Pg.lost bassist Kristian Karlsson, is reportedly on track to mix their debut album in November for an early 2011 release: http://www.khoma.se/?p=890

MP3: Radar - Where others were honest (I'm a lie)

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:20:20 -0700

Norrland crust/metal/prog act Moloken, a 2009 favorite, are touring Scandinavia later this month and one of the bands they're playing a string of dates with is Finnish act Radar. Generally speaking, I'm not too crazy about their style of post-metal, but the new EP they recently sent me has a pretty cool 3D cover and the included glasses allowed me to properly view Robyn's video for "Don't fucking tell me what to do", so that's gotta be worth something -- hence this post. It's kind of weird, in the space of a month of so I got a whole bunch of new music in a similar vein and, again -- while not being a huge fan of this stuff, was pleasantly surprised to find it all to be of above-average quality. I already covered Kausal who might just be the best of the lot, but Radar are pretty decent too despite one major piccadillo: I don't care if you want to sing cleanly or scream harshly, but please don't try to do both. 99% of the time it sucks and Radar are no exception. Individually, they do fine with each style... when performed together, it's way corny. That's why I'm posting a track with purely melodic vocals for fellow discerning listeners -- you get the heaviness and the glory and none of the distracting bullshit. RIYL Khoma!

Oh, and those Moloken tourdates:

09/15 - L'Orient, Linköping (SWE) w/This Gift is a Curse
09/16 - Sugar Bar, Stockholm (SWE) w/This Gift is a Curse
09/17 - Ungdomens Hus, Uppsala (SWE) w/This Gift is a Curse
09/18 - Ungdomens Hus, Oskarshamn (SWE) w/This Gift is a Curse
09/19 - tba, Karlskrona (SWE) w/This Gift is a Curse
09/23 - Nuclear Nightclub, Oulu (FIN) w/Radar
09/24 - Lutakko, Jyväskylä (FIN) w/Radar
09/25 - S-Osis, Turku (FIN) w/Radar
09/26 - Kuudes Linja, Helsinki (FIN) w/Radar
09/29 - tba (NOR) w/Manhattan Skyline
09/30 - tba (NOR) w/Manhattan Skyline
10/01 - Garage, Oslo (NOR) w/Manhattan Skyline
10/02 - Fru Lundgreen, Trondheim (NOR) w/Manhattan Skyline

Sirius playlist week #25

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:26:02 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Baby Alice - Piña colada boy
02. TALK 1
03. CEO - Come with me
04. Faster Katt - The girl and the crow
05. EL-SD - Walking sideways
06. Masshysteri - Dom kan inte höra musiken
07. TALK 2
08. Champagne Riot - The champagne anthem
09. Khoma - In it for fighting
10. Dear Euphoria - Rescue
11. Haust - Anti-reproductive
12. TALK 3
13. This Is Head - 0011
14. Familjen - Det var jag
15. Mikkel Meyer - Tunge (feat. Non)
16. TALK 4
17. Rasmus Kellerman - The greatness & me
18. Grande Roses - The astronaut
19. We Live In Trenches - White knuckles
20. The Amazing - And it looks like today
21. TALK 5

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Khoma - In it for fighting (video)

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:32:48 -0700

Khoma's new video for "In it for fighting" is available for streaming via Gaffa: http://gaffa.se/tv/clip/299

Selective Notes adds Insense to their roster

Fri, 21 May 2010 17:30:11 -0700

Selective Notes (Khoma, Britta Persson) has taken on Norwegian metal act Insense as a management client: http://selectivenotes.com/?p=253

Britta Persson signs with Selective Notes

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:30:31 -0700

Razzia Records label partners Selective Notes (Khoma) have signed the wonderful and talented Britta Persson and will be releasing her new album "Current affair medium rare" in either August or September. Full press release here: http://selectivenotes.com/?p=224

Sirius playlist week #18

Mon, 03 May 2010 11:49:34 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Kråkesølv - Skredder
02. TALK 1
03. Lama - Curses and broken glass
04. Underachiever - No rain (arson)
05. Originalljudet - The oral solution (with pear)
06. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Lumpettrick
07. TALK 2
08. Masshysteri - Låt dom hata oss
09. Den Svenska Tystnaden - Reaktor
10. Simian Ghost - Star receiver
11. Kobert - Recipe
12. TALK 3
13. Traktor - Where water goes
14. Disco Ensemble - Protector
15. Hooded Menace - Night of the deathcult
16. TALK 4
17. Menfolk - From the horse's mouth
18. Mattias Alkberg - Nerverna
19. Khoma - Osiris
20. TALK 5
21. Baby Alice - Piña colada boy

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:26:56 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Ark - In full regalia
02. Anna Bergendahl - Yours sincerely
03. Scotts - Vi gör det igen
04. Mikael Wiehe - Ta det tillbaka!
05. Rolandz - Jajamen
06. Play - Under my skin
07. Ola Magnell - Rolös
08. The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme
09. Dundertåget - Dom feta åren är förbi
10. Salem al Fakir - Ignore this
11. The Playtones - Rock'n roll dance party
12. Melissa Horn - Säg ingenting till mig
13. Cookies n Beans - Beg, borrow and steal
14. Petter - En räddare i nöden
15. Khoma - A final storm
16. Amanda Jenssen - Happyland
17. Crashdïet - Generation wild
18. The Haunted - Road kill
19. Di Leva - Lovestar
20. Perikles - Var ska vi sova inatt - en samling

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:04:51 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Anna Bergendahl - Yours sincerely
02. Mikael Wiehe - Ta det tillbaka!
03. Crashdïet - Generation wild
04. Rolandz - Jajamen
05. Hellsingland Underground - Madness & grace
06. The Playtones - Rock'n roll dance party
07. Salem al Fakir - Ignore this
08. Petter - En räddare i nöden
09. Khoma - A final storm
10. Cookies n Beans - Beg, borrow and steal
11. Rigmor Gustafsson & Radio String Quartet Vienna - Calling you
12. Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
13. Di Leva - Lovestar
14. Melissa Horn - Säg ingenting till mig
15. Amanda Jenssen - Happyland
16. Perikles - Var ska vi sova inatt - en samling
17. Kristina - At Carnegie Hall - Kristina - At Carnegie Hall
18. Björn Skifs - Da capo
19. Timo Räisänen - The anatomy of Timo Räisänen
20. The Tallest Man on Earth - The wild hunt

Sirius playlist week #13

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:42:13 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Brothers of End - Beats for you (Rasmus Hägg remix)
02. TALK 1
03. Haust - A final effort
04. Rasmus Kellerman - Five years from now
05. Echo Is Your Love - Playlist song
06. EL-SD - Walking sideways
07. TALK 2
08. Axe - Harm
09. Khoma - From the hands of sinners
10. Zeigeist - Bunny
11. C.Aarmé - Assuan
12. TALK 3
13. The Fine Arts Showcase - This is the day
14. Sonic Ritual - Early graves
15. Death By Kite - Pills
16. Susanne Sundfør - O master
17. TALK 4
18. Simian Ghost - Star receiver
19. Moloken - Untitled III
20. Darkthrone - I am the graves of the 80s
21. TALK 5

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Khoma - In it for fighting

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:27:08 -0700

Khoma's new single "In it for fighting" is now available on Spotify -- go here for the link and to read more: http://www.khoma.se/?p=694
Perhaps someday us Americans will have access to Spotify, but until then...

Sirius playlist week #10

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:24:34 -0800

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. TALK 1
02. Familjen - När planeterna stannat
03. Elephant9 - Fugi fønix
04. Yosei - The raven
05. TALK 2
06. The Tarantula Waltz - Bacchus
07. Hortlax Cobra - Smoke
08. Sonic Ritual - Early graves
09. Meleeh - Vowbreaker
10. TALK 3
11. Khoma - From the hands of sinners
12. The Ark - Echo chamber
13. Darkthrone - Those treasures will never befall you
14. Fun - Slonko
15. TALK 4
16. Degrees - Can't walk thru this alone
17. jj - Let go
18. Bruket - Polisen lägger pussel
19. Dreamboy - Pay attention
20. TALK 5
21. Moto Boy - IF you your bed could cry

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Khoma - From the hands of sinners

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:51:06 -0800

Khoma are offering a brand new track for free download: http://www.khoma.se/?p=662

New Khoma album gets title, release date

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:10:34 -0800

Khoma has confirmed that their new album will be called "A final storm" and will be released on April 14.

Selective Notes/Khoma now partners with Razzia

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:43:37 -0800

Catch'n'Release, the new label founded by Anders Fridén of In Flames which signed Umeå act Khoma (remember?), has changed their name to Selective Notes and has partnered with Razzia Records to handle the release of said album. Expect the first single in March with the full-length to follow in April.

Khoma signs with Catch 'n Release, unveil new website

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:09:34 -0700

Khoma have been signed by Catch 'n Release, the new label founded by Anders Fridén (In Flames) and Daniel Tivemark (ex-Nuclear Blast?). The band is still hard at work on their next album which will be released spring 2010. Read more at the band's new website: http://www.khoma.se/

New Khoma album underway

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:59:04 -0700

Khoma reports that they have officially started recording their next album: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=35884178&blogId=508252758
Expect an early 2010 release.

Khoma wakes up

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:03:42 -0700

Umeå hardrock act Khoma (feat. members from Cult of Luna) are back from the dead and working on a new album for release in early 2010: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=61026876

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:56:10 -0800

Following the departure of frontman Gustaf Spetz who left to pursue a solo career, the remaining members of Eskju Divine have formed a new band with members of Pg.Lost and Khoma vocalist Jan Jämte called Jeudah. Go here for more: http://www.myspace.com/jeudah

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:15:31 -0700

Norrland heavy rock act Khoma (nee Koma) is back in rehearsal working on material for their third album: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=35884178&blogID=443537122

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:25:42 -0800

Cult of Luna sideproject Khoma report that they've begun pre-production on their next album and have six new songs written.

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.

MP3: Come Sleep - Be the end

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:55:54 -0800

As far as Isis derivatives go, Come Sleep does a pretty good job. It helps that they stick to the band's heavier mid-period sound (see "Celestial" or "Oceanic") as opposed to their drawn-out, more atmospheric (read: more boring/indulgent) recent work ("Panopticon", "In the absence of truth"). Come Sleep does sometimes exhibit a more melodic approach ala Khoma/Koma as well, and I think that also works to their advantage. There's a crapload of bands out there taking the mid-tempo heaviness formula and running with it, but too few of 'em stick with the basics: writing decent, straightforward, heavy songs. Come Sleep gets that right and it's essential. Hardly original, sure, but they fill a niche in the scene that's strangely vacant. One could certainly do far worse.

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

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
02. TALK 1
03. Madrugada - Shine
04. My Midnight Creeps - Don't let 'em bring you down
05. TALK 2
06. Asha Ali - A promise broken
07. Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen
08. Pelle Carlberg - Clever girls like clever boys much more than clever boys like clever girls
09. TALK 3
10. Enslaved - 793 (Slaget om Lindisfarne)
11. TALK 4
12. Fare You Well - Take me away
13. The Kissaway Trail - Smother + Evil = Hurt
14. Emmon - Wake up time (Thermostatic remix)
15. TALK 5
16. KVLR - Traitors and thieves
17. Magnus Carlsson - Va med mig
18. Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Bebopalulia
19. TALK 6
20. De Må Være Belgiere - Cirkler
21. Johndoe - Kjøtere
22. Manes - Deeprooted
23. TALK 7
24. Khoma - Stop making speeches
25. The Giant's Dream - Significant dawn
26. Las Puertas - The water
27. TALK 8
28. Lordi - The chainsaw buffet
29. Logh - A sunset knife fight
30. Lack - 5 o'clock in the evening
31. TALK 9
32. The Bear Quartet - Before the trenches
33. Jan Johansson - Visa från Utanmyra
34. TALK 10
35. Kashmir - The aftermath

Top 10s for 2006: Emil Björkander (Black Star Foundation/Khoma)

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

01. Finally moving from Malmö. Moving to Umeå for a while...

02. The Book of Daniel

03. Wing tsun, never thought Martial arts could be such fun.

04. Skateboarding, I'm not good at it, but I'm trying...

05. Playing live with Khoma

06. Finally sold the Children of Fall tour van.

07. Roadtrips during this amazing summer.

08. Frisbee golf

09. Tias Carlson's pre-recordings for his new album

10. Meleeh live

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

BSF recently released The Book of Daniel's "Song for the Locust King", one of IAT's top picks for 2006.
www.blackstarfoundation.com
www.myspace.com/blackstarfoundation

Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Not everyone was able to get their lists in on time, but I think you'll find more than enough titles here well-worth investigating, whatever your tastes may be. Enjoy!

Jonas Appelqvist:

01. The Fine Arts Showcase – Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
When Christian released a kinda mediocre record, Gustav stepped up, delivered and restored the honour of the Kjellvander brothers.

02. C.Aarmé – Vita (Burning Heart)
Music for the gut, not the brain. Göteborg's finest punks just recently split up, it's a pity.

03. Hets – s/t (V2/Etikett: Hets)
I was a bit hesitative when I heard that members from Laakso, Fireside and Moneybrother formed a band. They proved me wrong.

04. Raised Fist – The sound of the republic (Burning Heart Records)
This long awaited full-length proved to be exactly what I hoped for. Uncompromising hardcore, this time with hooks!

05. Insurgent Kid – Paranoia (Wasted Sounds)
Just recently released and it went straight into this list. The punkrock on this disc is, in fact, all I ever need.

06. Khoma – The second wave (Roadrunner)
I always knew something good would come out of Plastic Pride.

07. Aerial – Black rain from the nombing (Nomethod)
Epic and almost instrumental post-rock from Sandviken that moved me big time.

08. Tar... Feathers – Make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface (Release the Bats!)
Self-willed indiepop that sounds like Modest Mouse mixed with Xiu Xiu at times.

09. Darkthrone – The cult is alive (Peaceville)
Pioneers that released their most interesting record since "Total Death". Black-metal with one hell of a punkrockattitude!

10. Cult of Luna – Somewhere along the highway (Earache)
One of the records I've listened to the most in 2006 and it's still intriguing.

Top 3 non-scandinavian records of 2006:
Converge – No heroes (Epitaph)
Electric President – s/t (Morr Music)
Cursive – Happy hollow (Saddle Creek)

Nancy Baym:

01. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris/PlayRec)
It's catchy, it's quirky, it's consistently strong. And it's interesting too.

02. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet (Iceberg Records)
The slow ones drag a bit, but the fast songs are a sublime mix of sexy, cool, driving and restrained.

03. Consequences - s/t (BOW/Groover Recordings)
Puts the "infection" in infectious pop. I can't stop listening to it and really don't want to either.

04. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's block (V2/Wichita)
Not as good as last year's "Falling out", but an okay Peter Bjorn and John record is still better than most.

05. Pelle Carlberg - Everything. Now! (Labrador)
He's thoughtful, he's sensitive, he's twee, but most of all he's the perfect mix of soothing and beautiful. Frazzled nerves be gone!

06. The Phonies - Gran tourettes (Money Laundry Records)
Inconsistent record from Finland's Phonies, but it's best songs are exhuberant enough to carry the rest.

07. Billie the Vision & the Dancers - The world according to Pablo (self-released)
While I'm From Barcelona gets all the buzz, I prefer this. It's kind of mellow, a little dark, sort of conceptual if you bother to figure it out, but most of all, it just sounds good.

08. David & the Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
David Fridlund's a melodic genius and the music may be better than ever, but Fridlund's angst runs too close to whining too much of the time.

09. Starflower - Moment in the sun (Music Is My Girlfriend)
Tranquil and poppy, youthful and tuneful, it's a gentle little debut from a band I hope will diversify its sound in releases to come.

10. The Charade - Real Life Drama (Skipping Stones)
Half of this is too sweet for me, but the rest is charming as all get out, and "September" easily wins the award for catchiest sugar pop song of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Sivert Høyem and the Volunteers - Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
It's not out yet and I've only heard 2 songs, but given his track record with Madrugada and his last solo record, it's guaranteed a spot in my top 10 when I do get to hear the rest.

Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
It came out in 2005 but now I've finally heard this record. It's got such a cool consistent vibe, such a unique sound, and I'm under it's spell completely.

Matt Giordano:

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Writers block (V2/Wichita)
After last years excellent "Falling out" I expected a great album, but this release just floored me.

02. Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John)
Yes, this is technically a re-release, and yes, it's that good.

03. The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian)
This is the new album I listened to most this year, and a it was quite a leap artistically for Mr. Kjellvander.

04. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris)
This one sat in my room for about a month until one day I brought it in the car with me, and to say the least, I was impressed.

05. Vapnet - Jag vet hur man väntar (Hybris)
"Thoméegränd" instantly hit me with pure pop genuis, and this album is so textured and deep, it has yet to be fully realised.

06. Firefox AK - Madame, madame! (Razzia)
It took me a while, but I have finally realised how genius this album is.

07. Nicolai Dunger - Sjunger Edith Södergran (EMI)
I believe this is Mr. Dunger's most cohesive album to date, and perhaps his most intimate.

08. Sibiria - Inom familjen (Hybris)
Martin A and Martin H put out two stellar albums in one year. Gorgeous.

09. The Knife - Silent shout (Rabid)
This album is both bleak and enchanting.

10. David & The Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
This album is so solid, and it should silence all of the naysayers.

Other:

Best 2005 release of 2006:
El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar (Memphis Industries/The Control Group)
Gorgeous, that is the only way to describe the songwriting of Sarah Assbring, and it's good to see the rest of the world catching on.

Top three non-Scandinavian releases:

Tom Waits - Orphans (Anti)
This is absolutely essential.

Nobody & Mystic Chords Of Memory - Tree colored see (Mush)
Another post-Beachwood Sparks work of excellence, now I'm only wishing for Beachwood Sparks to reunite.

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos (RCA)
America's best current live band, and this is their document.

Top ten songs of 2006*
01. Montt Mardié - "My girlfriend is in the Grand Prix finals" from "Science" (Hybris)
02. Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" from "Writers block" (V2)
03. Kristofer Åström - "So much for staying alive" from "Black Valley" (Startracks)
04. Loney, Dear - "The city, the airport" from "Sologne" (Dear John)
05. Tom Waits - "Bottom of the world" from "Orphans" (Anti)
06. Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" from "Jag vet hur man väntar" (Hybris)
07. The Velvet Teen - "Gyzmkid" from "Cum laude" (Slowdance)
08. Nicolai Dunger - "Lyckokatt" from "Sjunger Edith Södergran" (Dolores)
09. Loose Fur - "The ruling class" from "Born again in the USA" (Drag City)
10. Islands - "Don't call me Whitney, Bobby" from "Return to the sea" (Equator)

*These songs, as well as 31 others appear on my "Best of 2006" mix, which I have made 20 copies of as a double-disc set to give away to the readers of It's A Trap! Here's the deal, the first twenty people to email me at matthew dot giordano at macys dot com with their name and postal address will receive a copy (as well as tracklisting) in the mail. Enjoy.

Kevin Renick, in alphabetical order:

01. Ampop - My delusions (Dennis Records)
Balancing the epic and the emotive is an increasingly dicey proposition as more and more groups on both sides of the Atlantic sacrifice one or the other in the process. Iceland's Ampop gets the blend just right with these 11 surgingly powerful, yet fragile tunes. .

02. El Perro Del Mar - s/t (Memphis Industries)
Possibly the most bubbly, infectious, melodically rich, beautifully sung sad album ever made.

03. Sofia Hardig - The need to destroy (Filthy Records)
An adventurous electronica foray in which Sofia makes an art out of distorted vocals that are nonetheless emotionally wrenching. Dark, machine-laden grooves that grip the soul.

04. The Knife - Silent shout (Brille Records)
By any standard, one of the year's boldest and most significant records, especially for a spooked, tech-savvy, mask-wearin', brother-sister dance-tronica act.

05. Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
The sophomore release by this fabulous Swedish/Danish group is just as good as the debut; RebekkaMaria and company fuse primal rock and Scandi sensuality together in a thoroughly compelling manner.

06. Mew - And the glass-handed kites (Sony BMG Music)
A continuously flowing, continuously melodic and dazzling production that got many satisfying spins on my car stereo in 2006.

07. Monty's Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
Take a female vocalist who's like a tougher Emiliana Torrini, add equal parts acoustic/electronic instrumentation, throw in a few dollops of inspired weirdness and mix/produce well. Result: a grabber of an album that tickles the sonic taste buds..

08. Britta Persson - Top quality bones and a little terrorist (Amigo)
I like my Scandinavian music to be a little tart. Britta's debut CD is positively lemony from start to finish, a real standout in a year filled with great records by Scandi girls.

09. Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society - Fiction at first view (Mimo Sound)
A master class in inspired prog songcraft, superb guitar playing and the art of channeling diverse influences into your own lovingly prepared recipe.

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
As a long-time fan of both atmospheric ambient and mournful female vocals, this texturally absorbing disc had me at "eftermiddag".

Best EP: Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
Best CD to reevaluate your life to: Es - Sateenkkarisuudelma (K-RAA-K)
Best reasons to have faith that the spirit of weirdness lives on in Scandiland: The Bear Quartet, Sir Eric Beyond, and Tar...Feathers

Simon Tagestam:

01. Vapnet – Jag vet hur man väntar (album / Hybris)
Vapnet lived up to all my expectations and delivered a fantastic album

02. Moneybrother – De vet ingenting om oss (single / Hacka Skivindustri)
This song came totally unexpected and instantly floored me.

03. Lo-Fi-Fnk – Boylife (album / La Vida Loca)
Very exciting album from Sweden’s new dance kings, now TTA gone all new age.

04. Mattias Alkberg BD - Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (album / A West Side Fabrication)
Third and best album from this Bear Quartet member.

05. Taxi Taxi – Old big trees (song on myspace)
Killer song. Got high hopes for these young twins.

06. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends (album / Dolores)
Hate them live, but still love their music.

07. Juni Järvi - Wherever thou art (album / Everlasting)
The surprise hit of the year, a collection of some magnificent songs.

08. [ingenting] - Mycket väsen för ingenting (album / Labrador)
An album that deserved much more attention and praise than it got.

09. Juvelen – Watch your step (song on myspace)
Sounds exactly like Prince when he was at his best. Pretty damn good that is!

10. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - s/t (album / Flora & Fauna)
Weirdest and most wonderful gig at Emmaboda this year where 'Sir Eric', even though he's Swedish, only talked in English in-between songs. He also released a fine record.

Three amazing songs from albums that I wasn't too keen on:
Fattaru – 100 spänn
Hello Saferide – The quiz
Peter Bjorn and John – Young folks

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

Jonas Appelqvist is in the works of completing the first fullengthrecord with Blinders On, indierock based in Malmö. The band is, as I write this, finished with the mixing and the mastering of the album entitled "Obsolete music", so we should expect a release in January. The 17th, to be precise. More on that after New Year's Eve.

Nancy Baym can be found happily blogging away at Online Fandom and digging music at Last.fm.

Matt Giordano wishes everyone safe, yet wine-filled holidays and New Year's celebrations, and hopes those who'll be getting his "Best of 2006 mix" enjoy them. He also hopes Arsenal can pick up the pace in the premier league and that Scandinavian bands continue to release the world's best music. Here are the new releases he's looking forward to in 2007: two Laakso records, Kristofer Åström, Shout Out Louds, Via Audio, Christian Kjellvander, Spoon, Tiger Lou (I can hope), My Morning Jacket (I can hope), Nick Cave (I think it's about time for another), Moonbabies, Nicolai Dunger, and all Hyrbis releases.

Kevin Renick is exhausted from trying to pare down the list of favorites from a really great year in music.

Simon Tagestam is a regular contributor to IAT and he doesn't really have any plans for 2007, except some vague ideas concerning a Nintendo Wii, his mother's 60th birthday, more tattoos, and badminton.

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This just in: Emil at Black Star Foundation managed to unearth a few leftover copies of Koma/Khoma's debut album "Tsunami" so of course I scored a stack of 'em for mailorder. You interested? Go git it: [click here]

Video mix: Peter Bjorn and John, The Lionheart Brothers, Kristofer Åström, Desert Planet, José González, Khoma, more...

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

All "Reader's companion volume one" edition.

Peter Bjorn and John - Young folks (live in Glasgow)
A great song, but I still think "It beats me every time" is better...

KVLR - Capitol city child live w/dancer
Since their only two 'real' videos were already posted recently, here's a silly tour film.

I couldn't find any videos on YouTube, so here's the top-rated search result for 'Fun' and 'Finland'.

The Lionheart Brothers - Time river floaty
Not the best video, but still a fantastic song.

Kristofer Åström - The wild
A super-creepy video for an amazingly beautiful song.

David & the Citizens - Greycoated morning
I was hoping to find the clip for "Big chill", but this track is pretty hot too.

Desert Planet - Return of the ninja droids
100% pure genius. 'Nuff said.

José González - Crosses
Still classic.

Opeth - Isolation years
Apparently Isolation Years doesn't have any videos on YouTube, so here's the Swedish band Opeth playing their song "Isolation years".

CDOASS - I Spy (Batman and Robin)
Hmmm... fan art.

Khoma - One of us must hang (live)
The sound quality is subpar, but the song is still great.

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Aversionline on Khoma's latest album "The second wave": http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/10/khoma-second-wave-cd.html
Thanks to Andrew for the shout-out, as always.

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Peta talks to Khoma frontman Jan: http://www.peta2.com/uk/uk-khoma.asp?c=p2uk73

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.

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

Khoma will support 36 Crazyfists on the following UK dates:

06/09 - Corporation, Sheffield
06/13 - Barfly, Cardiff
06/14 - Barfly, Birmingham
06/15 - Barfly, London

Wed, 10 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Head over to Khoma's website for some updates in the diary concerning tour plans and the second pressing of their new album "The second wave": http://www.khoma.net/index2.aspx

Khoma The second wave Roadrunner Records

Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

With a new giant label backing them up and a new letter in the bands name, the guys are back with the follow-up to 2004's best album, "Tsunami". The hype has started again with "The second wave" and, for once, it's well-deserved. With a sound that can tear down walls, Khoma's mix of post-rock, indiepop and metal seem to appeal to a wide range of people. Influences from Radiohead are heard in the vocal arrangements, but not to the extent that it becomes annoying. What really makes this band so interesting is that they sound like no other. With members from great acts like Cult Of Luna, The Perishers and old Plastic Pride, it's bound to come out sounding good. They spill their hearts out for us with songs about the great strike in Sweden ("1909.08.04"), feminism and animal rights. But the political aspects are never taking over, it's always the music that's in focus. And I somehow feel that that's exactly how they want it to be. However, there's a negative side to this record and by that I'm talking about focus. Some of the ballads should have been excluded to make the album a total blow-out. And I must say that the decision to include three already released songs, "One of us must hang", "Stop making speeches", "Like coming home", is somewhat boring. But in spite of this, hat's off to Khoma and I look forward to Metaltown in Gothenburg in July. 'Cause if you like them on their records, you should really try to see them live!

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

All-star bands are rarely, if ever, any good. There are a few notable exceptions, but what looks good on paper rarely adds up to quality in real-life. Khoma is one such exception. Who would've thought that combining members from such dissimilar acts as Cult of Luna and The Perishers would work so well? Oh, but it does; in fact it sometimes eclipses the other acts altogether. I was excited about Khoma as soon as their first album "Tsunami" was released, way back in 2004 before they added the H to the name. With so many lackluster mid-tempo heavy acts polluting the airwaves I wanted to shout Khoma's name from the mountaintops to let everyone know how good they are. The band's new album "The second wave" is even better than the debut. I had some trepidations about they rerecording some of the songs from the first, but I relucatantly agree that it makes sense now that they have a much bigger potential audience through Roadrunner and heck, they sound great. Why complain? Kudos to Magnus Lindberg at Tonteknik - the drums recording is killer. I'm sure some it is Thomas Hedlund's constantly improved playing and maybe his kit, but whatever it is, the tones they got on tape are stunning. For today's mp3 I've decided to revisit the track "One of us must hang" which I used to close out the first "Reader's companion" disc. The new version is a tad faster, but it's just as powerful. Check it out.

MP3: Khoma - One of us must hang

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

All-star bands are rarely, if ever, any good. There are a few notable exceptions, but what looks good on paper rarely adds up to quality in real-life. Khoma is one such exception. Who would've thought that combining members from such dissimilar acts as Cult of Luna and The Perishers would work so well? Oh, but it does; in fact it sometimes eclipses the other acts altogether. I was excited about Khoma as soon as their first album "Tsunami" was released, way back in 2004 before they added the H to the name. With so many lackluster mid-tempo heavy acts polluting the airwaves I wanted to shout Khoma's name from the mountaintops to let everyone know how good they are. The band's new album "The second wave" is even better than the debut. I had some trepidations about they rerecording some of the songs from the first, but I reluctantly agree that it makes sense now that they have a much bigger potential audience through Roadrunner and heck, they sound great. Why complain? Kudos to Magnus Lindberg at Tonteknik - the drums recording is killer. I'm sure some it is Thomas Hedlund's constantly improved playing and maybe his kit, but whatever it is, the tones they got on tape are stunning. For today's mp3 I've decided to revisit the track "One of us must hang" which I used to close out the first "Reader's companion" disc. The new version is a tad faster, but it's just as powerful. Check it out.

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. The Knife
02. The Radio Dept.
03. Belle and Sebastian
04. The Concretes
05. José González
06. Radiohead
07. Tiger Lou
08. Death Cab for Cutie
09. The Strokes
10. Håkan Hellström

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. The Concretes - Chosen One
02. The Radio Dept. - The worst taste in music
03. The Knife - Heartbeats
04. The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
05. Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
06. Le Sport - it's not the end of the world
07. The Magic Numbers - Forever Lost
08. Tiger Lou - The Loyal
09. Band of Horses - The Funeral
10. Khoma - Hyenas

Want to see your favorites listed here? Join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Khoma received a perfect KKKKK rating for their new album "The second wave" in the latest issue of Kerrang.

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

MusicOMH loves the new Khoma record: http://www.musicomh.com/albums5/khoma_0406.htm

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Metalrage interviews Khoma: http://www.metalrage.com/articles/359
Don't forget that the band was featured on my "It's a trap! reader's companion volume one", released back in 2004.

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Check out an e-card for Khoma's new album "The second wave": http://www.khoma.net/thesecondwave/

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Metalrage reviews Khoma's new album: http://www.metalrage.com/reviews/772

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Khoma's video for the song "Medea" is now online: http://uk.music.yahoo.com/ar-30655345---Khoma
The first review I've seen of their new album "The second wave" is here: http://www.movinghands.net/reviews/detail.asp?id=1040

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

Want to see Khoma play an exclusive showcase in London on March 23? Here's how: http://www.khoma.net/competition.aspx

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Check out Khoma's web diary for an extensive FAQ concerning the band, it's members, their ideologies and more: http://www.khoma.net/index2.aspx
Don't forget that the song "One of us must hang" from the first album "Tsunami" is available on the "Reader's companion" CD. In other news, the band will play an exclusive record release show in London on March 23. It will be invite-only, but keep an eye on the band's website for a chance to win tickets.

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Khoma has now updated the diary section of their new website: http://www.khoma.net/

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

Khoma's new website is finally online: http://www.khoma.net/
Go there to check out the cover art and full tracklist for their upcoming album "The second wave", due out April 3 via Roadrunner Records.

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Khoma's new album "The second wave" has been confirmed for an April 3 release via Roadrunner.

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

Khoma (nee Koma), the all-star band featuring members from Cult of Luna, The Perishers and Scared, has posted a new track ("Medea") from their upcoming Roadrunner debut album on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/khoma

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.

MP3: Closer - Open casket

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.

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Khoma (nee Koma) has signed with Roadrunner Records, exactly as I figured they would. Read the full press release at Blabbermouth: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=43426
The new album is due out in April. A song from their excellent debut record "Tsunami" is available on my "Reader's companion" compilation.