IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Presenting: Zonen

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:11:16 -0700

Not that I want every two-bit band of this ilk to start bombarding me with links, but I'm generally in favor of modern bands doing the analog synth soundtrack thing ala John Carpenter/Goblin/etc and Zonen does it well. Add this Stockholm-based duo to the list alongside Nightsatan of quality modern practitioners.

Nightsatan - Zhu-O

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:44:02 -0700

I can't read Finnish at all, but here's a new 3-page comic book involving a cyclops and vampires set to a soundtrack by Nightsatan: http://nyt.fi/20120617-kerno-luku-2-osa-1/

MP3: Lumeet - Lyonesse Zero

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:24:11 -0700

Usually anything with the "space disco" tag is an instant turn-off for me, but Lumeet comes off more like 80s action movie montage soundtrack than the usual Balearia-inspired, cognoscenti-approved stuff I typically associate with the style. Simply put: If the retro analog electronics of fellow Finns Nightsatan or Desert Planet are your thing, you'll probably dig this too -- I know I do.
Check out the entire full-length album "Isadora Mu" at Bandcamp: http://store.lumeet.net/album/isadora-mu

Nightsatan - Outro

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:34:10 -0800

Finnish John Carpenter-worshipping synth-rockers Nightsatan finally did the inevitable and recorded a movie soundtrack. Listen to the theme from "Outro" here: http://soundcloud.com/solinarecords/nightsatan-outro

Nightsatan - Blood on Santa's claw

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:05:01 -0800

Obviously not an official video, but new music from Nightsatan is always welcome, even if it is holiday themed.

Nightsatan vinyl now available

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:46:05 -0700

The vinyl edition of Nightsatan's excellent "Midnight laser warrior" album is out and now available for ordering via distributor Svart Records: http://www.svartrecords.com/shoppe/product.php?id_product=576
If I didn't already spend $100+ on vinyl from Svart last month, I'd be all about it, but instead I must wait.

Nightsatan Midnight laser warrior Solina Records

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:56:52 -0800

A bit of a strange mix, this. First off, the name Nightsatan might give the impression that we're dealing with some sort of extreme metal outfit. Then, the cyberpunk album artwork hints that we might be in for a punk rock affair, quite possibly laced with a good measure of electronica. What the Finnish trio have essentially come up with is an instrumental style that sounds off like Genghis Tron (minus any hint of metal) and Kraftwerk doing cheesy '80s movie soundtracks. It works well for the most part, offering an odd amalgam of the music of "The Terminator" and John Carpenter's "Dark star", and there's a definite atmosphere here makes it an enjoyable listen. It does require a certain frame of mind to be able to sit through the entire album though and, when you've found that headspace, it's quite sublime. That said, the drum sound is atrocious and ruins any segments that require the use of a snare. Bottom line, "Midnight laser warrior" is an average album that could do with a little less self-indulgence -- and a bearable drum sound.

Nightsatan in the 'Zone

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:23:36 -0800

Nightsatan (remember?) makes it to Pitchfork blog subsidiary Altered Zones: http://alteredzones.com/posts/586/nightsatan-karelian-starmaster-evil-lucifer/

MP3: Nightsatan - Karelian Starmaster (Evil Lucifer)

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:34:04 -0800

If you've seen any John Carpenter films, you know that his soundtracks are often just as memorable as the visuals. Even the most dated-sounding of his works is still evocative, so it's no surprise that many artists would attempt to emulate him and Finland's Nightsatan is a fine example of one such act. Of course the Carpenter worship is just a starting point -- "Karelian Starmaster" will certainly have you thinking "Escape from New York", but it's plenty epic in its own right, moving through various tension-building arpeggios before resolving with a depressive final coda. Also, according to the label, the band performs everything live including the synthpad drums which I must say is pretty cool considering the ease with which this kind of music can be pre-canned.

Presenting: Nightsatan

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:12:58 -0800

Check out a few tracks from Finnish cinematic/synth/"lastermetal" act Nightsatan: http://soundcloud.com/tom-25-1/03-karelian-starmaster-evil-lucifer
The trio's debut album "Midnight laser warrior" came out earlier this month via Solina Records and was produced and mixed by renown Finn Jori Hulkkonen. RIYL John Carpenter soundtracks, Goblin, etc.