IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

MP3: Craft - Bring on the clouds

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:33:54 -0700

Still can't say that I'm all that interested in new/contemporary black metal, but give me some mid-tempo Bathory-style pummel infused with the coldness of Satyricon and I'll take it. Pretty sure the first vinyl run of the new Craft album "Void" is long-gone at this point, but maybe there's an obscuro distro out there with a copy or two left. Who knows? Not that I'm one to play the speculation game, but I bet it's worth grabbing if only just to flip at some point down the road.

Hole in the Sky going out with a bang

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:20:07 -0700

Nö Music reports that the 2011 edition of Norway's renown metal fest Hole in the Sky will be its last and it appears they've put together a suitable lineup for a send-off: http://www.nomusicmedia.com/2011/04/08/the-last-supper-hole-in-the-sky-closing-its-doors-in-2011/
Immortal, Satyricon, Enslaved and Mayhem? Holy shit! Not to mention Godflesh, Ghost, etc.

The Out Door: Black metal tourism

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:35:10 -0800

The latest edition of the Pitchfork outsider-music column "The Out Door" discusses Anders Odden of Satyricon/Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult and the black metal tour he led during by:Larm: http://pitchfork.com/features/the-out-door/7942-the-out-door-11/

Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult confirm album, clips posted

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:18:44 -0800

Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult, the new band with the terrible name featuring Hank von Helvete (ex-Turbonegro) plus Tim Skold (ex-Marilyn Manson, KMFDM, Shotgun Messiah), Anders Odden (ex-Celtic Frost, Satyricon, Apoptygma Berzerk), Audun Stengel (ex-Apoptygma Berzerk, The Kovenant) and David Husvik (ex-Extol), have officially signed with Season of Mist and will be releasing their debut album on June 6. Hear some short, not-too-promising preview clips at the band's website: http://www.dmtmc.net/

Hank von Helvete fronting new band

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:40:08 -0800

Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby (nee Hank von Helvete) has found time between promoting Scientology and his Cornelis Vreeswijk biopic to form a new band called Dr. Midnight & the Mercy Cult featuring members from Extol, Marilyn Manson, Satyricon and Apotygma Berzerk. They are currently booked to play Slottsfjell-festivalen, but are expected to announce more dates soon.

Entombed back to 5

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:42:07 -0700

Victor Brandt (Totalt Jävla Mörker, Djerv, Satyricon) has been enlisted as Entombed's new bassist with current member Nico Elgstrand switching permanently to 2nd guitar, making the band a 5-piece once more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=49775189&blogId=538732071

MP3: Withershin - Wherein I exalt

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:57:12 -0700

Black metal in 2010, part I. Did the genre desert me or did I simply lose interest? I've been listening to this new Withershin EP ("The hungering void") and pondering these questions because, while I can tell the music is good, I still can't force myself to care. Well-executed melodic Swedish black death ala Dissection...? There's certainly room for more besides Watain. And yet, I feel nothing. I don't mean that in an ironic kvlt way either -- I'm really surprised by my lack of enthusiasm. So where did things go wrong I wonder? The genre did go through a certain amount of growing pains around the turn of the century and now things seem pretty evenly split among two major strains. First, we have the upper-tier established acts who have been going at it for years, some more progressive than others (Enslaved, Mayhem), others more content to drift towards the mainstream (Satyricon, Dimmu Borgir and seriously, WTF is up with this nonsense?). Some just keep on keeping on (Dark Funeral, Marduk), a few decided to abandon the genre completely (Darkthrone sorta, yes Ulver). Then, on the other hand, we have the new BM underground which, from my point of view, seems all too willing to embrace and accept sketchy politics and increasingly shitty, poorly recorded music. A race to the bottom, as I've mentioned here before I believe. The fact that I hear the new Burzum is getting a third vinyl repress bums me out. That means that competent bands like Withershin don't have a place anymore and boring, jaded dudes like me will shrug it off. I think my major hangup must be the lack of mystery in today's BM -- 15 years ago these bands were legitimately terrifying and sounded barely human. They burned down churches and killed each other and lived way off in some distant land that seemed far beyond reach. I distinctly remember hearing Emperor for the first time and how it sounded like absolutely nothing I had ever experienced. Then, a few years later, I remember seeing Emperor's first video and how amazingly disappointed it made me. No longer the aural expression of pure evil, here were a bunch of average metal dudes making an average metal video and playing dress-up in the woods. To say nothing about how boring they were live when I eventually saw them on tour, but the magic was forever lost and bands like Withershin have no hope to reclaim that. I don't know what's to be done though. Has the grim masquerade run its course? Can we start smiling at each other and simply enjoy the music for what it is, not what it used to represent?

Kvelertak signs with Indie, to record with Ballou

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:06:19 -0800

Norwegian metal act Kvelertak has signed with Indie Recordings (Satyricon, Enslaved) and will be recordig their debut album in Boston with Kurt Ballou of Converge. Expect a June release in Norway, September everywhere else.

New US tour for Satyricon in September

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:58:56 -0700

Satyricon is coming back to the US in September: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=13097

Norwegian metal round-up

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:10:21 -0700

Deathmetal.org does a review round-up on a number of recent Norwegian metal releases: http://www.deathmetal.org/?p=395
Artists covered include Mord, Satyricon, Aura Noir, Keep of Kalessin, 1349 and more.

Satyricon poaches new member from Sweden

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:22:48 -0700

Victor Brandt from Totalt Jävla Mörker has been enlisted as Satyricon's new bassist.

WaPo Express bears witness to Satyricon

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:09:31 -0800

The Washington Post Express reports from Satyricon's recent headlining gig in Virginia: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/03/now_diabolical_satyricon_at_jaxx.php
Be sure to check the footer links for more photos and a short bit about openers 1349.

WaPo Express talks to Frost (Satyricon)

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:28:23 -0800

The Washington Post Express talks to Satyricon drummer Frost: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/02/thawing_the_frost_qa_satyricon.php
Check the link at the top of the piece for a preview of their show together with UK act Cradle of Filth.

PopMatters reviews 'The age of Nero'

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:10:04 -0800

PopMatters on the latest Satyricon album "The age of Nero": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/69539-satyricon-the-age-of-nero/

MP3: October Falls - IV

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:19:13 -0800

I don't keep up with black metal much anymore since the scene has become so large and fragmented. Of course I still follow the old heavies (Enslaved, Darkthrone, Satyricon, etc.), but there's so much new crap to wade through, I rarely bother. Every once in a while though I'll come across something, whether in print or from a personal recommendation, that will pique my interest and I'll check it out. So I don't know if it's this more reserved approach or a much-improved bullshit detector, but I'm finding that the few new BM acts I'm checking out tend to be above-average. Hence my latest example, October Falls from Finland. Their sound is a tad on the retro side -- I hear echoes of "Nightside eclipse"-era Emperor, a bit of early Ulver -- but it's also progressive in a way that brings to mind US artists such as Weakling and Wolves in the Throne Room. The Wolves comparison is especially apt actually, especially in the way they embrace environmental themes. After all, the album this track is from is entitled "The womb of primordial nature". Now I can't say if they're involved with eco-terrorism as has been insinuated about Wolves, but does it really matter? So much of BM's appeal is in the mystery behind the artists. Anyhow, it all comes down to the music in the end and October Falls makes beauitful, epic soundscapes that takes on qualities of shoegaze and drone, but always remains undeniably metal. Perhaps not melodic enough to win over non-metal converts like, say, Alcest, but very recommended for anyone interested in hearing that old mid-90s sound made fresh.

MP3: Silver - Drenched in comfort

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:22:50 -0800

Silver's new album "Wolf chasing wolf" sounds like they broke into Satyricon's studio, locked the doors behind them and got all doped up. It's so harsh and negative, violent and paranoid; yet the huge trashrock hooks remain fully intact. The vital punkrock urgency, too. I just never thought I'd be so into a rock'n'roll record that sounded so unnatural. "Drenched in comfort" isn't as much of a pop song as the rest of their material, but I love the ominous chanting and drumline beats. And those leads! It's so great to hear a band pull together all sorts of disparate influences together and forge their own path.

Top 10s for 2008: Mattias Alkberg (The Bear Quartet/MABD)

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:46:00 -0800

2008

Black Metal: Behexen, Khold, Arckanum, Abomino Aetadeath, Krypt.

All released this year and all of them better than Darkthrone and Satyricon. Who's new records were great as well.

Straight music (i.e non-black metal) from abroad: Chad Vangaalen, Daniel Martin Moore, Portishead, The Fall, Gang Gang Dance, Robert Forster, Fucked Up, Mogwai, The Cure, Mudhoney, Josephine Foster, Roots Manuva.

I can't remember anymore right now. It was a good year, record-wise at least.

Swedish and not black metal: Dan Lissvik, Paper, PDC, Park Hotell, Vapnet, Hästpojken, Håkan Hellström, Masshysteri, Tristess, Joel Alme, Veronica Maggio, Frida Hyvönen, T(I)NC, TsooL. There are more, but these are the ones I liked the most. Mind you, some I just got and I will grow tired of them.

Records I missed last year that would have made the top five: Michael Dracula and Mayhem.

TV: True Blood, Dead Set, Dexter, The Office, (bits and pieces of) Livet i Fagervik, Survivors.

Movies: Trädälskaren, Stepbrothers.

Thats it really. Haven't seen Let the Right One In, De ofrivilliga yet. And I'm gonna see The Baader Meinhof Complex tonight.

It's been a so-so year. Better than the last one but not good.

I've been listening to Rockabilly and Black Metal for the most part, reading books, writing songs and poetry.

I toured a little with Bröderna Lindgren and played like ten gigs by myself or with others. Recorded some songs with different people. Been fucked over by record companies.

For 2009 I'm gonna make at least one record, hopefully three. Oh, and get a job. Really, it's true.

And not die, again.

---------------------------
Mattias Alkberg broke up his band MABD earlier this year, but he still plays with The Bear Quartet and has a burgeoning solo career. Expect a new single and album under his own name in 2009.
www.mabd.se
www.thebearquartet.com

Top 10s for 2008: It's a Trap! (albums)

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

We liked a lot of albums in 2008, but there weren't so many that we loved. In fact, quite a few of us had trouble filling out a full top 10, myself included. Some of us didn't even bother. Personally, aside from a few notable exceptions as you'll see below, I found myself drawn to the past far more often than the present. And yet, here I am again, with yet another year-end list. Go figure.

So with a rather large grain of salt, let me present to you It's a Trap's 2008 top albums of the year.
- Avi Roig

10. Siena Root - Far from the sun (Transubstans)
Graveyard and Witchcraft get all the acclaim, but Siena Root is the better band.

09. Nitad - Ibland kan man inte hindras sig själv (Kranium/Deranged)
Fucked Up, another band who put out one of 2008's best releases ("The chemistry of commmon life"), have moved far beyond the realms of hardcore. Nitad have stepped up to take their place.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio Records/BD Pop)
I can't stand Morissey, yet somehow some Swedish acts are able to take his influence and turn it into something wonderful. If only more indiepop bands were as good as Park Hotell.

07. Katzenjammer - Le pop (Propeller Recordings)
I fully expected Detektivbyrån to be my favorite folk-crossover act, but these ladies from Norway snuck in ahead of them.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
Even better than I hoped. The perfect follow-up to the first album.

05. Johan Heltne - Vetenskapliga bevis för att Jesus lever (Raffaella)
A beautiful and beguiling album. So weird and mysterious, so absolutely entrancing.

04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy (NONS)
Of all the bands on my list, these ladies are the only ones to truly create something new and unique sounding. Sweden's most consistently underrated and underappreciated band.

03. Haust - Ride the relapse (Fysisk Format)
If there's a more pissed-off, evil sounding album in 2008, I haven't heard it.

02. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
A full year later and I still love this album just as much when it first came out.

01. The Goner - H-Trilogy: Hind hand, Hallartrallar, Haven (Svarta Markaden)
I realize it's pretty lame to put a series of limited cult releases at #1, yet no other artist this year has intrigued me as much as The Goner. "Hind hand" blew me away when I first heard it, the following two were even better.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake (Caprice Records)
This headstrong indie duo got me convinced at a festival gig this summer. And when I heard "The snake" for the first time I was hooked. It's that good.

09. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)
Frida goes from strength to strength and with this album she has established her status as one of the finest songwriters in Sweden right now. Don't believe me? I dare you, listen to "Dirty dancing" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

08. Paper - An object (Novoton)
A homage to Suicide, Joy Division and monotonous kraut rock. The mix between The Bear Quartet and Audionom is a win-win. Literally.

07. Satyricon - The age of Nero (Roadrunner)
With massive walls of sound this Norwegian old school combo decided to continue to piss off black metal fans that claim they're not "true" anymore. Hell, when it sounds this good, I couldn't care less.

06. David Sandström Overdrive - Pigs lose (Razzia)
David Sandström and Oskar Sandlund went into the studio and came out with an astounding album only surpassed by early career move Refused.

05. Lack - Saturate every atom (Play/Rec)
2008 turned out to be the year of resignation for Lack. At least they got to resign at the peak of their career; "Saturate every atom" is proof of that.

04. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me (Amigo)
Britta released this album with a somewhat secluded approach and it was received with open arms by almost everyone. Sounds contradictory? It's not, just pure genius.

03. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom (Earache)
It just goes to show, these guys don't know how to fail. Top notch!

02. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
Göteborg's finest spent three years in the studio. The result, Fugazi-esque punk rock, shows that it was worth the wait.

01. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
Indie rock at its best - edgy, melodic and, at the same time, raw and hard hitting as hell! The number one spot was, even in January, Lukestar's spot all along.

Matt Giordano

06. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
Their track record has been making consistently good albums, and this is not an exception.

05. Robert Svensson - Young punk are on the never-never (Nomethod)
A fantastic pop album that has me looking even more forward to the next Mixtapes and Cellmates record.

04. The Kid - Transient blood (Hybris)
On their second album, The Kid has transformed themselves into brooding pop masters.

03. Paavoharju - Laulu laakson kukista (Fonal)
A beautiful, cold, meandering album. Not only does this album sound natural, it sounds symbiotic with nature.

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
He's made classic albums with Laakso, and a great Hets album. Now Markus is a bonafide solo artist, and, with this maintains that he's one of the best songwriters around.

01. Juvelen - 1 (Hybris)
One of my most anticipated of the year. Ten songs, ten potential singles, yet one cohesive pop statement. Juvelen is here to stay.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
This is a total gut decision. Part of me is not okay with this result, but enough of me is perfectly alright ousting at least five other contenders to make room for this dirty, energetic album in my top 10. Despite giving this album only an 8, it has survived in far better standing than a few 9s from this year. "LAX" has been on quite a few of the mixtapes I've made for friends over the past few months, and DoLL launched my brother and I across America this summer... I couldn't imagine 2008 without "Violence is timeless".

09. Robert Svensson - Young punks are on the never-never (Nomethod)
Mr. Svensson lost considerable ground on this list, especially compared to the first draft I worked up a few weeks ago. Still, even at number nine, "Young punks are on the never-never" made it. A wonderful debut solo album from Mixtapes & Cellmates' vocalist, marking the beginning of what is sure to be a fine career.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio/BD Pop)
This top 10 list is populated with a lot of debut records. "Free for friends" is definitely one that I had been waiting for, and it didn't let me down. It's a perfect autumn record: tracts of introspection still fuelled by the reckless hope of summer days.

07. Kiki Pau - Let's rock (Pyramid/Johanna Kustannus)
While I was completely surprised by "Book of Norma", I at least knew who Norma were. Kiki Pau are my favorite surprise this year. Their style of indie rock is confident well beyond their years, harkening back to "Meat is murder"-era Smiths, contemporary NYC garage, The Clash ... and any album with a song titled "Bukowski" (with the lyric: "Steinbeck made me want to get drunk") gets my vote.

06. Convoj - Exceptionnel (Wonderland)
This latecomer also forced me to reconstruct my list. It was all about complete, too. Oh well. Convoj's "Exceptionnel" is a brilliant record, more than deserving of a top 10 spot.

05. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)
If it weren't for all the summer memories I attach to "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust", Hellström's effort would be in fourth place. The fact that this album is in fifth place is a testament to the creative forces at work in Northern Europe. When I first heard this record, I was pretty sure it would be in my top three albums of the year. How wonderful it is to be so wrong. "För sent för edelweiss" has become my favorite Håkan Hellström album, just edging out "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg".

04. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (XL Recordings/EMI)
The fact that Sigur Rós took risks on this album when they could have skirted by with "Takk pt. II" impresses me. It may not be their finest album, but it's fun, kinetic, and lush; everything we expect from the Icelanders, and yet something quite different, too.

03. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I struggled a little with "A partial print" at first, but it eventually won out. As I wrote in my review, the album is "a collage, a collection of images, all of them darkly beautiful extensions of the emotional landscape of "The loyal", but the connections between these impressions can take some time to present themselves, but they will, and then "A partial print" comes fully into being."

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
While I gave "A partial print" higher marks, "Markusevangeliet" has been a valued companion of mine since April -- and there's something to be said about resilience. I said back then that I thought Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård had possibly crafted the best record of the year... and, although I might have proven myself wrong, his accomplishment is by far one of the best solo records in recent memory.

01. Norma - Book of Norma (Novoton)
In a damned impressive year for Scandinavian music, my top prize goes to "Book of Norma". It's been a while since I have been as taken aback by a record as I was with Norma's latest effort, the first album I have ever given a 10 to here on It's A Trap! Just an absolutely brilliant album.

Arnulf Koehncke

10. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons (DetErMine)
Someone wrote somewhere how well recorded this album is -- I can't help but agree. The songs are good too and it's actually the first Ane Brun record that I can really relate to.

09. Audrey - The fierce and the longing (Tenderversion)
Honestly, this record sounds a lot like their last one. That's a good thing in Audrey's case -- I think it's really rare that a band is this well defined regarding both songwriting and sound-aesthetics.

08. Fredrik - Na na ni (Jezebel)
It surprises me how much I still like this record. I didn't think it would be such a grower -- guess I was wrong.

07. Snöleoparden - Snöleoparden (Rump)
I just like the whole of-the-cuff playfulness and complexity that this record embodies. I dare anyone to listen to the daycare-singalong second track and not smile.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
If you'd asked me in the beginning of the year, I'd probably have predicted this album to top my year-end list. Well, it hasn't completely gotten me hooked yet, though I totally agree with all the praise for Annika's development. And "Lund" has already become a personal favorite of mine.

05. Bobby and Blumm - Everybody loves... (Morr Music)
This record is just so playful -- there's so much to discover in F.S. Blumm's guitar work and Ella's charming voice. It makes me wish I could see them live again.

04. V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble - Do nothing 'til you hear from me (iDEAL)
Another great record, though it needs patience and concentration to really enjoy it as a whole. It's just great how it builds up all this tension with its drones and suspense curves only to then release the listener with a soothing return to tonality in the next to last track.

03. The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (Labrador)
Too bad their album was delayed until next year. This EP showed such potential with all its Prefab Sprout'ish moments and melodies. And it even delivered some nostalgia to me as a long-time fan when I listen to the hidden track's distortion and overdrive.

02. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
It's amazing: This record is such an instant classic that I almost didn't think of it as a 2008-release. And doesn't that already say all there is to say?

01. Auton - Anywhere out of this world (Structures Sonores)
This record is just so good (which is why my review of it is just so overdue). Incredibly virtuosic yet never overbearing musicians that shift from straight-out jazz to drone to post-rock to Satie-like piano moments with such casualness and grace. My Scandinavian record of the year. Go to the label website now and order copies to give away as christmas presents ;-)

Nancy Baym

10. Don't I wish I could put something here. Like the Caesars. What a bummer that record was.

09. Mikko Singh - Uskotko että siellä on kukkia? (self-released)
An almost-entirely instrumental record that's somewhere between pop and new age, equally well suited to a massage or mellow downtime at home. Very pretty with some nice elements of fun.

08. Violent Years - s/t (Playground)
A fine contribution to the southern gothic alt country genre with many outstanding moments and at least one truly great song.

07. Kusowsky - Något speciellt (self-released)
Kusowsy are so unabashedly singalong guitar pop that I feel a little guilty enjoying them, but everytime a song from this EP showed up on shuffle this year I found myself stopping to smile.

06. The Social Services - It's nothing personal, it's national security (Stereo Test Kit)
Only 1/3 Scandinavian, but she's the singer so she gets extra credit. It's a smart, eclectic, cynical, funny, and loose indie pop album.

05. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I really wanted to love this record, but don't. As background music its dark, hypnotic and self-contradictory sound is stunningly close to perfect, but on close listening its repetitiveness becomes abrasive in ways I don't think were intended.

04. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
On his solo record, Krunegård avoids most of Laakso's glam excesses to deliver a powerful and rich electronically-driven yet organic and seductive sonic environment.

03. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
They don't stray too far from the distinctive, poppy, and borderline corny sound of their previous recordings on this one, but that's a good thing because they are one of the most calming make-you-happy bands going today. I highly recommend this as a soundtrack for either hanging out on a warm beach or cleaning house, cooking, and other mundane chores of daily life.

01. Madrugada - s/t (Virgin/EMI)
Faced with the sudden death of their guitarist and an album 80% completed, Madrugada did the right thing by finishing it up. Even without the tragic back story, it's a powerful and mature rock album that I am still listening to regularly almost a year after its release.

01. Detektivbyrån - Wermland (Danarkia)
In a very disappointing musical year, this instrumental genre-collapsing folk album based on accordion and glockenspiel was the one extraordinary surprise. Everyone I've played it for ran out and got it immediately. You should too.

Simon Tagestam

10. Nordpolen - s/t (Sincerely Yours)

09. Joel Alme - A master of ceremonies (Sincerely Yours)

08. Envelopes - Here comes the wind (Brille)

07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)

06. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)

05. Love Is All - A hundred things keep me up at night (What's Your Rupture?)

04. Afasi & Filthy - Fläcken (P.O.P.E.)

03. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)

02. Moto Boy - s/t (Songs I Wish I Had Written)

01. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:13:06 -0800

Teeth of the Divine is not impressed with the new Satyricon album "The age of Nero": http://teethofthedivine.com/site/reviews/satyricon-the-age-of-nero/

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:52:52 -0800

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Vamp - St. Mandag
02. Erlend Bratland - True Colors
03. Bjørn Eidsvåg - Pust
04. Åge Aleksandersen & Mikael Wiehe - To stemmer - 14 akustiske sanger
05. Marit Larsen - The Chase
06. Satyricon - The Age of Nero 07. Radka Toneff - Butterfly
08. Ingemars - I Finnskogens rike
09. Rita Eriksen - Hjerteslag
10. Odd Børretzen/Lars Martin Myhre - Syv sørgelige sanger og tre triste
11. Herborg Kråkevik - Annleis enn i går
12. Karpe Diem - Fire vegger
13. Maria Mena - Cause & Effect
14. Odd Nordstoga - Pilegrim
15. Halvdan Sivertsen - Mellom oss
16. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Mål & Mening
17. Diverse artister - Mgp Jr 2008
18. Øystein Sunde - Meget i Sløyd
19. Kurt Nilsen - Rise To The Occasion
20. Katzenjammer - Le Pop

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:53:57 -0800

Satyricon has signed with Koch Records in North America and will be releasing their latest album "The age of Nero" in this part of the world on January 13.

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:36:03 -0800

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

01. Tomas Halberstad - Travel as I wait
02. TALK 1
03. Robert Svensson - 1991
04. Auton - El Dorado
05. Parken - Jag har varit vilsen, Lisa
06. TALK 2
07. Tiger Lou - Trust falls
08. Promise and the Monster - Night out
09. Park Hotell - Black hole
10. TALK 3
11. Sort Sol - Excalibur
12. Convoj - The shovel
13. Satyricon - Black crow on a tombstone
14. On Volcano - Out of sight
15. TALK 4
16. Hello Saferide - Anna
17. Him Kerosene - Ventilate
18. Tobias Hellkvist - Ships of the North Atlantic
19. TALK 5
20. Division of Laura Lee - LAX
21. Oskar Schönning - Nino casino
22. Haust - Success
23. TALK 6
24. Passiv Dödshjälp - Helvetet, tur och retur

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

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:23:33 -0800

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Vamp - St. Mandag
02. Erlend Bratland - True Colors
03. Bjørn Eidsvåg - Pust
04. Satyricon - The Age of Nero
05. Ingemars - I Finnskogens rike
06. Åge Aleksandersen & Mikael Wiehe - To stemmer - 14 akustiske sanger
07. Radka Toneff - Butterfly
08. Marit Larsen - The Chase
09. Herborg Kråkevik - Annleis enn i går
10. Odd Børretzen/Lars Martin Myhre - Syv sørgelige sanger og tre triste
11. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Mål & Mening
12. Odd Nordstoga - Pilegrim
13. Karpe Diem - Fire vegger
14. Rita Eriksen - Hjerteslag
15. Maria Mena - Cause & Effect
16. Øystein Sunde - Meget i Sløyd
17. Diverse artister - Mgp Jr 2008
18. Halvdan Sivertsen - Mellom oss
19. Ida Jenshus - Color of the Sun
20. Thomas Brøndbo - Du sa æ va en drøm

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:51:14 -0800

Satyricon's brand new video for the track "Black crow on a tombstone" is now online: http://www.satyricon.no/news/

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:07:13 -0800

Check out an e-card for the new Satyricon album "The age of Nero": http://indierec.no/ecards/satyricon

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:06:55 -0700

Satyricon will perform in India in early November at the Great Indian Rock Festival. Dates:

11/01 - Mumbai
11/03 - Pune
11/07 - Bangalore

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:29:25 -0700

Satyricon will be coming back to the US this winter as support for Cradle of Filth: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=11584
CoF hasn't been a good band in a long time, but at least they are entertaining live. As for Satyricon, I'd still really like to see them with Frost on drums, but I doubt Homeland Security will ever let that happen.

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:00:38 -0700

Go here to stream the new Satyricon single "Black crow on a tombstone": http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/page/News?&news_page=&news_id=66268

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:23:18 -0700

Check out studio footage of Frost from Satyricon recording drum tracks for the new album in LA: http://www.satyricon.no/news/

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:37:28 -0700

The new Satyricon album "The age of Nero" is complete and ready for release on November 3. Go here for European tourdates: http://www.satyricon.no/alive/

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:26:51 -0700

Satyricon reports that basic tracks are complete for their next record with sessions continuing this week and then finishing up in late July. Not sure of a release date yet, but look for worldwide tourdates to be announced for November.

Wed, 28 May 2008 13:50:36 -0700

Check out MetalKult's video documentary on their trip to Norway: http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/videos/norway/
It includes visits to various black-metal landmarks plus interview footage with Satyricon and Ihsahn.

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:10:21 -0700

Satyricon's forthcoming as-yet-untitled album has been assigned a November 3 release date.

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:11:23 -0700

Satyricon will release a 5-track CDEP/gatefold 7" on June 2 entitled "My skin is cold". Other tracks on the EP include two songs from the LP version of "Volcano" ("Live through me", "Existential fear-questions") plus two live tracks ("Repined bastard nation", "Mother north"). Hear a sample of the title track: http://www.satyricon.no/

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:02:24 -0700

This might be entertaining even if you don't know Norwegian: watch pop star Lene Alexandra interview Satyr from black-metal act Satyricon: http://nrk.no/p3/article/page/view/1.5294918

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:12:47 -0800

Satyricon drummer Frost has broken his leg, forcing them to cancel their appearance at the Arnhem Metal Meeting this weekend: http://www.satyricon.no/news.asp

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:25:21 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's special spooky/scary Halloween edition radio show:

01. TALK 1
02. Entombed - Hollywood Babylon
03. ARM - Humming bug
04. Camouflage - Oktober
05. TALK 2
06. Notre Dame - Red Cross
07. Sanctum - Lie low
08. Bay Laurel - Pale colours
09. TALK 3
10. At the Gates - Blinded by fear
11. Frode Haltli - Lude
12. Brighter Death Now - Little baby
13. Death Breath - Lycanthropy
14. TALK 4
15. Breach - Mr. Marshall
16. The Skull Defekts - Carved in bones
17. The Cardigans - Mr. Crowley
18. TALK 5
19. Diabolique - Catholic
20. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Masks, walls and other ways to keep things out, to keep things in
21. The Bear Quartet - Broken heart
22. Mercyful Fate - Come to the Sabbath
23. TALK 6
24. Beyond Dawn - Cigarette
25. Pimentola - Heart's dementia (Phase I)
26. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
27. TALK 7
28. MZ412 - Infernal affairs II
29. Satyricon - Nemesis divina
30. Switchblade - Selfdestruct schematics / Open aftermath
31. TALK 8
32. Rasion D'etre - Metamorphyses Phase IV
33. Cortex - We are the dead
34. TALK 9
35. Emperor - I am the Black Wizards

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:55:07 -0700

The nominees for this year's Alarm Awards have been announced:

Rock:
120 Days - 120 days
Big Bang - Too much yang
My Midnight Creeps - Histamin
King Midas - Sorry
The Lionheart Brothers - Dizzy kiss

Pop:
Marit Larsen - Under the surface
Rockettothesky - To sing you apple trees
Superfamily - Warszawa
Magnet - The simple life
Susanne Sundfør - Susanne Sundfør

Metal:
Dimmu Borgir - In sorte diaboli
Satyricon - Now diabolical
Audrey Horne - Le fol
Mayhem - Ordo ad Chaou
Keep of Kalessin - Armada

Jazz:
Supersilent - 8
Shining - Grindstone
Håkon Kornstad - Single engine
Tord Gustafssen Trio - Being there
Hanne Hukkelberg - Rykerstrasse 68

Electronica:
Kim Hiorthøy - My last day
Lindstrøm - It’s a feedelity affair
Pleasure - Pleasure 2
The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams
Bjørn Torske - Feil knapp

Hip-hop/Rap:
el Axel - It is what it is
Karpe Diem - Rett fra hjertet
Darkside of the Force - El dia de los puercos
Tungtvann - Siste Skanse
Samvirkelaget - Musikk

Newcomer:
Susanne Sundfør
Moving Oos
Ida Maria
Rockettothesky
Elvira Nicolaisen

Live:
Big Bang
Superfamily
King Midas
The Grand
Samvirkelaget

Go here for more details or to vote for your favorite: http://www.alarmprisen.no/2007/index.php/og-de-nominerte-er/#more-76

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:50:37 -0700

See pics from Ralph Myers & the Jack Herren Band's summer tour: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=142941016&blogID=293374146
I like the added touch of the pilfered Satyricon setlist in set #2.

Tue, 08 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Satyricon will play Mexico in June: http://www.satyricon.no/alive/

Profile: Hearts of Black Science

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Name: Hearts of Black Science

From: Göteborg, Sweden

Sounds like: Dark and dour indie/electronica

Listen: Empty city lights (demo version)

Discography:
2007 - The ghost you left behind (Club AC30)
2006 - Demo 2 (self-released)
2006 - Demo 1 (self-released)

Links:
www.heartsofblackscience.com
www.myspace.com/heartsofblackscience

Finally, a band that sounds almost exactly like their name suggests! Combining the best of downbeat electronica and goth/industrial with the melodicism and darkness of Swedish doom-metal. Sure to appeal to almost everyone, from indierockers to metalheads to dance music fans. Somehow, they manage to get it all right without screwing up any of the pieces.

Who are you and where are you from? How did you guys end up forming a band?

We are Tomas Almgren and Daniel Änghede. We're from Sweden.

I (Tomas) came back from a seven year trip where I had unsucsessfully pursued a career as a horror movie director only to find my childhood friend Daniel without a band for the first time in over 20 years. We used to have all these bizarre sideprojects back in the day but had never done anything serious together so we decided to start Hearts of Black Science. Both of us had opened up to a lot more music than just metal and synth (which were the kinds of bands we used to be in) and found that we now shared some common denominators.

It was the perfect time to start a band and we were both excited about trying to write songs in a style neither of us had tried before. Some sort of dark indie / electronic hybrid.

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

Our main strength is that we combine a lot of different influences under the roof of HoBS and still sound coherent and familiar coupled with a knack for infectious hooks and melodies. If you're a fan of melancholic pop you should check us out. I'm not claiming that we're breaking new ground or anything but we're definately attacking music from a different angle.

You guys say you like metal. Just how metal are you?

Daniel has an estimated collection of a thousand metal albums. We start every recording session by listening to Manowar's "Defender" and we adopted the DIY work ethics of black metal genius Satyricon: "Self made is well made."

I used to smash rust off of factory support beams for a living and our studio is situated at the bottom of a decommissioned subterranean power plant...

I mean, come on! Surely we're metal enough. ;)

And though it may not be obvious at first glance, our songs have quite a lot of metal inspired guitar work. Again, we don't filter out any influences so anything will fly if it sounds good in the mix and comes from the heart. A lot of hardcore metal fans have been requesting us on myspace so it must exist in HoBS somewhere.

What's the worst trend in music today? How about the best?

The worst trend has to be trends in general.

Trends dictate rules.

Rules are poisionous arrows to the heart of originality.

Bands that get all preachy about trends are kind of annoying as well.

The best thing to happen to music in a long time is file sharing, internet forums and the DIY spirit that has spawned many great bands (and even more crap ones) that probably wouldn't have gotten the exposure otherwise. I find amazing stuff on a weekly basis.

What other Swedish duo would you like to challenge to a fight? The Knife? The Embassy? Samuraj Cities? Who would win?

Hard to say but I would love to team up with The Knife and give Abba a run for their money in a double duo - tag team - no holds barred - smack down. I would piledrive Benny into oblivion. Abba would probably win but they would limp back to their corner.

So you used to smash rust off support beams for a living? What do you guys do now to cover the bills? What do you think you'd be doing if you couldn't play music?

Daniel works the nightshift in a cookie factory.

I'm currently unemployed and I've been living off the money I saved up at the factories scraping rust but will most likely be back there if the album doesn't sell a million copies in the next few months. We've just started our own company to handle the HoBS merch that's coming soon and I have been thinking about expanding the company to incorporate other services in the future. But we're taking it one step at a time. Playing live and promoting the single and the album is what's important now and all we have time for.

If we couldn't make music I'd still love to get a job in movies. Directing or writing or maybe sound design.

I don't know what Daniel would do. Maybe something in the gaming console industry. He would probably say something completely different though.

If you were a boy band, what would your Spice-names be?

I guess I am a little Conrol Freak Spice. Daniel's more sort of Mellow Spice.

Lastly, what's the future look like for HoBS? What are your plans for the next few months?

We're playing live as much as possible now. We have something like fifteen dates in the UK. Most of them are in London but some are in Mmanchester and Brighton. The single release party will be at the Luminaire on March 8th and the album release party will be back home in Sweden at Sticky Fingers on the 30th of March. We're playing on the Gideon Coe show on BBC Radio 6. There are two more singles planned for spring and summer and we have some interesting collaborations with other artists that we're working on. New songs, remixes and videos. We're busy and loving it.

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon reports that they've sorted out all the proper paperwork for drummer Frost and will be coming over to tour the Americas in April.

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

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Satyricon will tour Australia and Japan this winter:

12/01 - The HQ, Adelaide (AUS)
12/02 - The Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne (AUS)
12/05 - The Metro Theatre, Sydney (AUS)
12/06 - The Arena, Brisbane (AUS)
01/16 - Club Quattro, Tokyo (JAP)
01/17 - Club Quattro, Osaka (JAP)
01/18 - Club Quattro, Nagoya (JAP)

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Blodårstid on Satyricon's latest: http://www.holyterror.com/blod/2006/10/10/satyricon-now-diabolical-cd/
I'm pretty much in 100% agreement with their take on it.

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Check out Satyricon's new video for "The pentagram burns": http://www.satyricon.no/albums/album.asp?albumID=25

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Satyricon will be touring extensively throughout Europe this fall. Go here for dates: http://www.satyricon.no/alive

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

Stylus reviews the new Satyricon: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/satyricon/now-diabolical.htm
Don't forget that I posted about it on Monday.

MP3: Satyricon - To the mountains

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

When you hear the term "heavy metal", chances are high that you don't immediately think of large brass instruments. Perhaps after listening to today's mp3 from Satyricon's new album "Now, diabolical", your perception will be forever changed. I know it sounds weird on paper, but when the tubas and trombones enter a couple of minutes into the piece, it makes sense. The dark and bassy bell-tones are a complimentary counterpoint to b>Satyricon's perfect cold recording sound. The guitars are brittle and harsh, but layered so thickly that they come together in a thick wall of ice. Satyricon's music isn't all blazing blast-beats anymore - they've added far more rock'n'roll swagger and later-era Black Flag-style mid-paced riffing - but the impression it leaves is still pretty damn grim. I wasn't too stoked about the band's last album and I'm not all into the single "K.I.N.G", but I find "Now, diabolical" to be quite impressive overall. They are not content to repeat themselves, so they're trying new things and I commend that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but at least they aren't resting on their laurels.

Mon, 08 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

I've mostly been seeing only tepid reviews, but Musique Machine really likes the new Satyricon: http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=768

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Check out an ecard for the new Satyricon album "Now, diabolical": http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/satyricon/

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The video for the new Satyricon single "K.I.N.G." is now online: http://media.roadrunnerworld.com/Satyricon/king_hi.wmv

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Aftenposten on the new Satyricon record and the upcoming "Lords of Chaos" documentary being planned by director Hans Fjellestad: http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1275189.ece

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

Preview one new song from the new Satyricon album "Now, Diabolical" each day until its release next week: http://www.platekompaniet.no/cache/published_264.asp

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

The Norwegian release date of Satyricon's new album "Now, Diabolical" has been moved up to April 18. The European release is now April 17, but France still has to wait an additional week until the 24th. As for America, we have to wait all the way until June 13, but at least we get the promise of bonus audio and video material.

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon has posted a sample of the title track from their new album "Now, diabolical" on the splash page of their website: http://www.satyricon.no/

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

April 24 is now confirmed as the release date for the new Satyricon album "Now, Diabolical".

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Laleh - Laleh
02. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
03. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
04. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
05. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
06. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
07. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
08. Agnes - Agnes
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
11. Torgny Melins - Dansbander
12. Kent - Du & jag döden
13. Darin - Darin
14. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
15. Jenny Wilson - Love and youth
16. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
17. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
18. Matz Bladhs - Gobitar 2006
19. Weeping Willows - Singles again
20. Christian Kjellvander - Faya

Norwegian black-metal act Satyricon has signed with Roadrunner for all territories excluding Norway and North America (where they are on Sony). Read more: http://www.bravewords.com/news/39354

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon's new album "Now, Diabolical" will be out in April via Sony BMG.

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The latest from Satyricon:

"Sorry for not keeping touch lately, but we've been busy working! We are in middle of pre-production for our new album and we will start recording October 17th in Puk Studio in Denmark where we did most of "Volcano". We aim to finish the album in January followed by a late spring release. This means we should be ready to do a big festival run throughout the summer and hit the clubs in the fall. Things change and they can change fast too in this industry, but this is what we plan to do as it looks now. We'll keep you posted about this and other projects we are working on too, throughout the fall."

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian black-metal act Khold has signed with Tabu Recordings and will see their new album "Krek" released in Europe on October 10. Khold was previously signed to Moonfog, the label run by Satyr of Satyricon.

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Iron Maiden was defeated 8-1 in a friendly football match (that's soccer to us Yanks) against a Norwegian all-star team featuring musicians Sigurd Vongraven (Satyricon), Hank von Helvete (Turbonegro), Dan Thunderbird and HP Baarlie (Backstreet Girls) and Diesel Dahl (TNT) alongside many other real pro athletes. Read more at Blabbermouth (including links for pictures): http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=38706

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Satyr and Joey Jordison (Slipknot) talk to Fuse.TV about Satyricon's cut-short North American tour: http://www.fuse.tv/content/uranium/php/videotop.php?sid=&aid=&clip_id=1843

Tue, 24 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

BW&BK reports that Satyricon is making progress on a new album: http://www.bravewords.com/news.html?id=28024

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The BBC/Radio 1 One World radio special on the Sunkissed Live/Norwegian centennial is now online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/urban/oneworld/sunkissed2005.shtml
Tons of great stuff, from Turbonegro to Satyricon to Frost and Biosphere.

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Disiplin has confirmed a March 14 release for their new album "Anti-life" via Moonfog Records, the label run by Satyr of Satyricon.

Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
02. Dark Tranquility - Character
03. The Ark - State of the Ark
04. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
05. Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
06. Fernandoz - Minnenas allé
07. Daniel Lindström - Daniel Lindström
08. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
09. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
10. Lasse Stefanz - Röd Chevrolet
11. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
12. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin vol. 1
13. Peter Jöback & Göteborgs symfoniker - Storybook
14. Uno Svenningsson - Ett andetag från dig
15. Melody Club - Face the Music
16. Totta Näslund - Totta 7: Soul!/På drift
17. Marie Fredriksson - The Change
18. Björn Afzelius & Mikael Wiehe - 1993 - Malmöinspelningarna
19. Arne Domnérus - Best of Dompan
20. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 fel!

DJ Martian has the scoop on the 'Fresh Air at Fabric' one-day Norwegian music festial in London featuring performances by a wide range of artists including Annie, Magnet, Nils Petter Molvaer, Satyricon, Biosphere, WE and much more: http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_djmartian_archive.html#110677852973580507
Definitely something not to be missed.

Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Satyr of Satyricon reports that he will be co-producing the upcoming Thorns album with his longtime friend Snorre and will reportedly also be lending some of his vocals to the recording again as well. He's also started the pre-production/songwriting process for a new Satyricon album and hopes to enter the studio in late summer to record.

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

After a few years of silence, Norway's Gehenna is back with a new album entitled "WW". Look for it to be released sometime this coming spring via Moonfog Records, the label run by Satyr of Satyricon.

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Upcoming live dates for the might Norwegian hard-rockers WE:

01/13 - Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
01/20 - Blæst, Trondheim (NOR)
01/21 - Hydranten, Hamar (NOR)
01/22 - Baråtti, Strømmen (NOR)
01/28 - Valdres, Vang (NOR)
02/05 - Alarm Awards + 30 min latenight show, Oslo (NOR)
02/17 - TBA, New Dehli (IN)
02/20 - Great Indian Rock Festival, New Dehli (IN)
03/03 - Fabric, London (UK) w/Satyricon, Madrugada
04/15 - Trondheim International Filmfestival, Trondheim (NOR) (WE vs. Körkarlen)
07/22 - Sjonstock Festivalen, Mo i Rana (NOR)
07/23 - Bukta Festivalen, Tromsø (NOR)

Remember, they're one of the many fine acts on the "It's a trap reader's companion" compilation and they've been collecting a bounty of awards and nominations these past few weeks for their newest album "Smugglers". I shouldn't have to say it again, but it's an amazing record and I'm sure it'll be getting some sort of international release in the very near future.

Tue, 04 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon tour guitarists Steinar Gundersen and Arnt Gronbech have been released on bail and have returned home to Norway following their being brought up on drug and sexual assault charges in Canada. They are currently awaiting a new hearing date and will return to Toronto at that time.

Thu, 23 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The latest in the ongoing legal woes of Satyricon as their touring guitarists defend rape charges in Canada: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30709

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Well, the word is finally out concerning why Satyricon cancelled the final five dates on their US tour: guitarists Steinar Gundersen and A.O. Gronbech (also both in Spiral Architect) have been charged with rape in Canada. Read more: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30623 (as usual, the comments from regular Blabbermouth readers are ridiculous)
Dagbladet is carrying the story too: http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2004/12/21/418187.html (in Norwegian)

Fri, 17 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Satyr of Satyricon talks to FourteenG about the Dimebag Darrell incident, the recording industry and more: http://www.fourteeng.net/satyricon.html

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon has reportedly cancelled the last five dates on their current US tour. No explanation for the move has been given yet.

Thu, 02 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon, Animal Alpha, Christer Knudsen and Annie are the first four acts confirmed for next year's Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway.

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Ferrante Power Equipment discusses the "fine art of black metal" with Frost of Satyricon: http://www.f-p-e.com/interviews/interview.php?id=30

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Norway's JR Ewing are back in the studio recording a new album with producers Kåre Chr. Vestrheim (Jaga Jazzist, Gluecifer, Gåte) and Mike Hartung (Satyricon, Savoy) and will also be tracking guitars with Don Dons of WE. The band plans to do fifteen songs that they say "represent a new side of JR Ewing," and are "simply the best songs we've ever written." There's no label confirmed yet, but expect a release sometime early next year.

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

"I recently read a survey that said that Americans between the ages of 18 and 30 are the least rebellious and most god-fearing in the world. How disappointing. It's time that Satyricon came to the U.S."
The first confirmed dates for Satyricon's "The Return of the Antichrist" US tour with Infernal Majesty and 3 Inches of Blood:

12/02 - The Pound, San Francisco, CA
12/03 - The Whiskey, Los Angeles, CA
12/05 - Mason Jar, Phoenix, AZ
12/09 - Pops Nite Club, St. Louis, MO
12/11 - Harpo's, Detroit, MI
12/12 - Eagles Club/The Rave, Milwaukee, WI
12/13 – Metro, Chicago, IL
12/16 – Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
12/18 - The Palladium, Worcester, MA
12/19 – Jaxx, West Springfield, VA

Tue, 02 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon drummer Frost talks to AllThingsMetal about his inability to get a work visa to tour the US, the state of the current Norwegian black-metal scene and more: http://www.allthingsmetal.net/bands/interviews/satyriconi.html

Tue, 05 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Joey Jordison of Slipknot will be sitting in for Frost when Satyricon tours the US again in December, due to the former's inability to get visa clearance. Frost has a prior conviction on his record from an assault charge some ten years ago and has been repeatedly denied US access because of it. This isn't Jordison's first time filling in for another band either - some of you might recall that he filled in for a sick Lars Ulrich of Metallica at the UK's Download Festival. Could be cool - even if you're not a Slipknot maggot, it's hard to deny the guy's talent. Tentative dates:

12/02 - Slim's/The Pound, San Francisco, CA
12/03 - House of Blues/The Roxy, Los Angeles, CA
12/04 - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
12/05 - The Marquee, Phoenix, AZ
12/07 - Trees, Austin, TX
12/08 - Engine Room, Houston, TX
12/09 - Back Room, Dallas, TX
12/10 - The Other Side, Tulsa, OK
12/11 - Pop's, St. Louis, MO
12/12 - House of Blues, Chicago, IL
12/13 - Harpo's, Detroit, MI
12/15 - BB Kings, New York, NY
12/16 - The Palladium, Worcester, MA
12/17 - Trocadero/TLA, Philadelphia, PA
12/18 - Jaxx, Springfield, VA
12/19 - tba
12/20 - tba
12/21 - tba

Thu, 30 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Global Domination interviews Frost of Satyricon/1349: http://www.statikmajik.com/gd/interviews/satyricon_frost.php

Wed, 11 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Satyricon's performance at Wacken Open Air in Germany last weekend was filmed by a twelve-camera team for use in a video for the song "Repined Bastard Nation".

Thu, 22 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The latest from Satyricon:

"We will be headlining (Wacken Open Air) Saturday the 7th of August doing a special set where we will perform Darkthrone songs with their singer the last 30 minutes of our show. Anyone who knows their black metal is aware of Darkthrone's policy of not playing live. They've decided to do this special event and asked us to be a part of it and that is of course a great honour. We're also glad that this historical event have the approval of Fenriz and Zephyrous. Bonds between Satyricon and Darkthrone have always been extremly tight and this is a great way of showing it. The thought of kicking into our opening song "Walk The Path Of Sorrow" in front of 30-40,000 people makes the wait almost unbearable. Some of you have have been sending concerned e-mails asking what the festival means by using the phrasing "last show forever" about our performance. We don't know WHAT THEY FUCK they are talking about and rest assured...Satyricon is alive and kicking as ever before!"

And with regards to US touring activities:

"No movement on the Frost case (concerning his recent visa problems). We've will be auditioning drummers in August. So far we've had no luck as some drummers we have contacted have schedules that doesn't allow them to tour with us or they turn out not to be good enough. We're hoping to return in Sep/Oct/Nov. So be patient, darkness always prevails."

Wed, 23 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

There will be a special Bathory tribute at the upcoming Hole in the Sky Festival in Norway this coming August. As mentioned before, Bathory mastermind Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg recently passed away due to heart failure. Artists set to take part: Abbath (ex-Immortal), Apollyon (Aura Noir), Faust (ex-Emperor), Gaahl (Gorgoroth), Grutle (Enslaved, Ivar (Enslaved), Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone), Samoth (Zyklon, ex-Emperor) and Satyr (Satyricon). A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Black Mark Records, the label owned by Quorthon's father, Börje Forsberg.

Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Satyr of Satyricon comments on the passing of Quorthon from Bathory: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=23527

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the Aquarius Records new release list for samples and reviews of new stuff from Pharaoh Overlord, Sagor & Swing, Cadaver, The Cardigans, Refused (reissues), Satyricon, Trettioariga Kriget and tons more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Seems like Satyricon did quite well on their US tour opening for Morbid Angel judging from this message. The best part? Plans are underway for them to come back for a headlining tour in August! Hopefully drummer Frost can make it this time around as well.

Thu, 20 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish doom metal band Candlemass have called it quits yet again, seemingly for the last time. Their statement:

"We are truly sorry to inform you that Candlemass have disbanded! This is sad news for us and everybody else that love this fantastic band. There will be no more gigs, no new album, no more doom!
This is it... ..finished..........zero...........nada........out!!!
Despite the tremendous success of the reunion, everything hasn’t been perfect.
Tiny cracks in the façade could be seen during the first round in the summer of 2002 because members of the band do not share the same vision of C-mass, the gigs, an eventual new album, democracy etc, and last year it became clear that the indifferences were too large to overcome.
A demo was recorded but the internal problems overshadowed the fun of playing. The gig at Klubben (Stockholm) nov. 29 came to be the last and final for Candlemass.
The band have tried to save the situation. There have been meetings and discussions, but unfortunately it hasn’t been possible for the five members to agree on how Candlemass could work in the future. The members would have loved to continue but the chemistry is just not there anymore.
The magic is gone........................."

Of course, the music will still live on, especially since GMR Records is compiling a tribute album to the band. Some of the names set to contribute include Opeth, The Hellacopters, The Haunted, Cathedral, Grand Magus, Krux, Satyricon and maybe Timo Rautianinen & Trio Niskalaukaus. It's tentatively set for a spring 2005 release.

Tue, 04 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Looks like the plans for drummer Frost (Satyricon, 1349) to collaborate with fellow Norwegian black-metallers Gorgoroth have been called off. According to a statement from Khaoz Productionz, Frost is way too busy with his other projects to give the Gorgoroth work the attention it deserves. 1349 and Gorgoroth plan to tour Europe together in October.

Thu, 22 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Satyricon has unveiled their new website: http://www.satyricon.no/

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Black-metal band Gorgoroth has reportedly left Nuclear Blast. It has also been reported that drummer Kvitrafn has parted ways with the group and has already been replaced by Frost (Satyricon, 1349). And if you remember, the band was recently in a bit of hot water regarding blashpemy accusations stemming from a recent show in Poland. More soon?

Mon, 19 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Satyricon talks to The Underground Scene about the band's current US tour supporting Morbid Angel and their recent visa problems (drummer Frost was denied entry into the country): http://theundergroundscene.net/interviews.php?op=view&artid=134

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Satyricon's spot on the upcoming Morbid Angel tour is reportedly in jeopardy as drummer Frost is having trouble getting his work visa papers approved. Read more: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=20821
UPDATE: MIC Norway reports it like it's a done deal: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2004032911351328726482
UPDATE AGAIN: Blabbermouth now says that Trym (ex-Emperor) has been recruited to take Frost's place. One way or another, the people behind the tour are intent on making sure everything goes as planned.

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Full, updated live schedule for Turbonegro:

03/17 - HH, Bergen (NOR)
03/19 - Samfundet, Trondheim (NOR)
03/20 - Hydranten, Hamar (NOR)
03/26 - All Tomorrows Parties (UK)
03/27 - Umeå Open (SWE)
03/31 - Arctic Challenge, Mackhallen Tromsø (NOR) w/Satyricon
04/03 - Rock Mot Rus, Andenes Idrettshall (NOR)
06/04 - Rock Am Ring, Nurberg (GER)
06/05 - Rock Im Park, Nurnburgring (GER)
06/06 - Download Festival, Donnington (tbc)
06/18 - Oslo Spektrum (NOR) w/Joan Jett & Alice Cooper
06/19 - Gøteborg Metal Fest (SWE)
07/04 - With Full Force (GER)
07/09 or 10 - Stavernfestivalen (NOR) w/Gluecifer
07/10 or 11 - Ruisrock (FIN)
07/11 - tbc, Wiesen (AUS)
09/11 - Vittoria (SPA)

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The US release of the latest Satyricon album "Volcano" has been pushed back a week to April 13.

Thu, 26 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's a short report from some recent Satyricon shows as well as some feedback from various semi-famous scenesters on the latest album "Volcano": http://www.satyricon.no/tothebone.asp
Look for another double-headlining gig with Turbonegro in Tromsø on March 31. Latest US show dates here: http://www.satyricon.no/livedates.asp

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

1349's latest album "Beyond the Apocalypse" will be released in the US on May 4 via Candlelight Records. The band features drummer Frost of Satyricon and this is their second album.

Wed, 18 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Some updated tour dates for Turbonegro:

02/21 - Fogdegaarden, Ålesund (NOR) w/Satyricon
03/01 - Monsters Of Rocco, Live Music Hall, Cologne (GER)
03/17 - Norges Handelshøyskole, Bergen (NOR)
03/19 - Samfundet, Trondheim (NOR)
04/03 - Idrettshall, Andenes (NOR)

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Norway's Satyricon has been officially confirmed as one of the openers on the upcoming US Morbid Angel tour. Dates:

04/13 - House of Blues, L. Buena Vista, FL
04/15 - Thunderdome, Baltimore, MD
04/16 - Saratoga Winners, Cohoss, NY
04/17 - The Palladium, Worcester, MA
04/18 - B.B. Kings, New York, NY
04/20 - The Trocedero, Philadelphia, PA
04/21 - The Odeen, Cleveland, OH
04/22 - Bogarts, Cincinnati, OH
04/23 - Oasis 160, Chicago Heights, IL
04/24 - Quest Club, Minneapolis, MN
04/25 - The Canopy, Urbana, IL
04/27 - Bluebird Theatre, Denver, CO
04/29 - Graceland, Seattle, WA
04/30 - Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR
05/01 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
05/02 - House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
05/03 - House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
05/04 - House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
05/06 - Cajun House, Scottsdale, AZ
05/07 - Sunshine Theatre, Albuquerque, NM

The US release of their latest album "Volcano" has been set for April 6 through Sony imprint EatUrMusic, the label of Daron Malakian of System of a Down.