IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Top 10s for 2011: Mattias Alkberg

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:12:31 -0800

Been working all year long, therefore: no TV shows or books or anything personal this year, just records.

In no particular order, other than maybe the five-ten first:
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Terakaft – Aratan N Azawad
Skriet – Det beslutande organet
Bob Hund – Det överexponerade gömstället
Helheim – Heidindomr ok motgangr
Graveyard – Hisingen Blues
Tinariwen – Tassili
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
Taake – Noregs vapen
Austra – Feel It Break
Autopsy – Macabre Eternal
Portrait - Crime Laesae Majestatis Divinae
Deathspell Omega – Diabolus Absconditus
Knivderby – Dumskallarnas sammansvärjning
Tyler The Creator – Goblin
Veronica Maggio - Satan i gatan
Tsjuder – Legion Helvete
Shabazz Palaces – Black Up
Patrik Backlund – Is An Arsonist
Zomby – Dedication
King Cresote and John Hopkins – Diamond Mine
Jeffrey Lewis – A Turn In The Dream-Songs
In Solitude - The World, The Flesh, The Devil
Kimya Dawson – Thunder Thighs
Roffe Ruff – Barabas
Slöa Knivar – Ingen klass, ingen stil
Tim Hecker – Ravedeath, 1972
Cornershop featuring Bubbley Kaur - Cornershop & The Double 'O' Groove Of
Kajsa Grytt – En kvinna under påverkan
Årabrot – Solar Anus

Records proving the artist have done better but are still to be reckoned with:
British Sea Power – Valhalla Dancehall
The Strokes – Angles
Grace Jones – Hurricane
Off! - First Four Eps
Chad Vangaalen – Diaper Island
Glorior Belli – The Great Southern Darkness
Stephen Malkmus – Mirror Traffic
Thurston Moore – Demolished Thoughts
Kate Bush – 50 Words For Snow

Records that are great but could have done with more time and/or money spent on them:
Vånna Inget - Allvar
Wild Flag – Wild Flag

Great records, though not perfect:
Kurt Vile – Smoke Rings On My Halo
Josh T. Pearson – Last Of The Country Gentlemen
The Rapture – In The Grace Of Your Love
Panda Bear – Tomboy
The Culture In Memoriam – Rest In Pieces
Anna Järvinen – Anna själv, tredje
Tomas Hulenvik - The World Is Ours
Riddarna – Riddarna

Records I love but can't have an objective view on:
Magnus Ekelund & Stålet – Svart Flagg
Birgit Bidder – The Life Home

Song of the year:
Pascal - De är farliga

This years "How come I haven't even heard of them before?":
The Gits

Hopes for next year:
Raketen
The New Man
Nord & Syd
Robert Hurula
Conny Nimmersjö
Kranium
Könsförrädare
Norra Kust

Get a record deal, release an album, goddamn!:
Hospitalet

Oh, and some great shows, mostly at Föreningsgatan 7 (Luleå), by:
Könsförrädare
Terveet Kädet
Slöa Knivar
Hamngatan
Kranium
Dispose
Salenko
22 Pistepirkko

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Mattias Alkberg had a busy year in 2011 -- not only was his latest solo album and book "Anarkist", one of the best received Swedish albums of the year, he also did a split with Pascal and probably a whole bunch of other stuff that I can only guess about. As for what 2012 holds, wait and see...
http://www.mabd.se/

2011 Spellemann nominees

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:03:49 -0800

The nominees for the 2011 Spellemannprisen, the Norwegian Grammy, have been announced and here are a few hightlighted categories:

Female artist:
Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Hilde Marie Kjersem - "Let's Let Go"
Marit Larsen - "Spark"
Siri Nilsen - "Alle Snakker Sant"

Male Artist:
Bernhoft - "Solidarity Breaks"
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Odd Nordstoga - "Bestevenn"
Sivert Høyem - "Long Slow Distance"

Pop Group:
Eva & The Heartmaker - "Dominoes"
Katzenjammer - "A Kiss Before You Go"
Montée - "Rendition Of You"
Real Ones - "First Night On Earth"
Team Me - "To The Treetops!"

Rock:
Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - "Det Nærmeste Du Kommer"
Kaizers Orchestra - "Violeta Violeta Vol. 1"
Oslo Ess - "Uleste Bøker Og Utgåtte Sko"
Rumble In Rhodos - "Signs Of Fervent Devotion"

Metal:
Insense - "Burn In Beautiful Fire"
Shining - "Live Blackjazz"
Taake - "Noregs Vaapen"
Vreid - "V"
Årabrot - "Solar Anus"

Electronica:
Biosphere - "N-Plants"
Bugge Wesseltoft & Henrik Schwarz - "Wesseltoft Schwarz Duo"
Casiokids - "Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen"

Hip-hop:
Joddski - "Bensin På Bålet"
Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Son Of Light - "War Of The Worlds"

Folk/Traditional:
Hekla Stålstrenga - "Makramé"
Juusk - "Juusk"
Ragnhild Furebotten - "Never On A Sunday"
Øystein Sandbukt - "Normør"

Jazz:
Helge Lien Trio - "Natsukashii"
Håkon Kornstad - "Symphonies In My Head"
Mats Eilertsen - "Skydive"
Nils Petter Molvær - "Baboon Moon"
Ola Kvernberg - "Liarbird"

Open Class:
Bárut - Inga Juuso - "Balggis"
Biret Ristin Sara - "Áidnen"
Fargespill - "Fargespill"
Skáidi - "Headland - Skáidegeahci"
Susanne Lundeng - "Mot"

Lyrics:
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Maria Mena - "Viktoria"
Martin Hagfors - "I Like You"
Odd Nordstoga - "Bestevenn"

Composer:
Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Hilde Marie Kjersem - "Let's Let Go"
Marit Larsen - "Spark"
Rolf Wallin/Lundeng/Torjesen/Bodø Symfonietta/Eggen - "Wire And String"
Synne Skouen - "Call-Notes"

Newcomer/Gramostipend:
Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Ragnhild Hemsing - "Yr"
Razika - "Program 91"
Team Me - "To The Treetops!"

Kvelertak gets release date, preview posted

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:18:40 -0700

Norwegian hardcore act Kvelertak will officially release their self-titled debut on June 21. Said record was recorded with Kurt Ballou (Converge) at Godcity Studios in Salem, MA and features guest appearances by Hoest(Taake), Andreas Tylden (JR Ewing, Altaar), Ivar Nikolaisen (Silver) and Ryan McKenney (Trap Them). Hear the latter on "Offernatt" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kvelertak

MP3: Taake - Umenneske

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:58:01 -0700

I seem to remember Taake being reviled back in the day for using too many keyboards, but that's definitely not the case on his latest album as this is pure, cold Norwegian black-metal. Pure, as in purely by-the-book though; regardless of however long he's been making music (or stirring up controversy), nothing can hide the fact that this record (the third in a trilogy) is boring. Or maybe I'm just over this style of cold black metal. I like the various NWOBHM-touches on the riffs and some bits of the doomy breakdown, but it never really goes anywhere. It just keeps going and going and going and going... until it finally peters out. Why bother?

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:35:09 -0700

Norwegian black-metal act Taake has confirmed that their new self-titled album will be released on October 20 in Norway, November 17 in Europe via Dark Essence Records.

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:29:47 -0800

Dark Essence will be releasing a new live 7" from Taake early next year entitled "Svartekunst". Four tracks, including a cover of "Over fjell og gjennom torner" by Darkthrone.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Speaking of avant-metal, Dark Essence has announced the signing of Vulture Industries (ex-Taake, Enslaved) and will be releasing their debut album "The dystopia journals" on September 10.

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

In case you were worried that the modern black-metal scene was full of poseurs, here's the latest news from Dark Essence Records:

There's a lot of rumours out there, but we can confirm that Hoest of Taake is in prison at the moment. He'll be out in a couple of months, and will then finish the work on the new Taake release. Yes, there will be more coming from Taake in the near future! More info about that will come.
We can also mention that C. Corax who plays guitar on the "...Doedskvad" and "...Bjoergvin..." albums, also is in prison at the moment, but for a bit longer time.

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Dark Essence Records will rerelease Taake's "Helnorsk svartmetall" and "Nordens doedsengel" demo and rehearsal recordings on August 29. A second edition will follow later this year.

Fri, 04 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Norwegian black-metal act Taake has announced that the final album "...Doedskvad" of their trilogy will be released on February 28. The band describes the work as "a pure, cold and grim black metal masterpiece" and it will feature guest appearances from scene luminaries such as Nattefrost (Carpathian Forest), Nordavind (ex-Carpathian Forest) and Taipan (Orcustus). A special vinyl edition will also be coming out via Agonia Records eventually along with a split 7" with Vidsyn.

Mon, 04 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian cult black-metal act Taake has signed with Dark Essence Records. The band is currently recording their new album "Doedskvad" at Grieghallen Studio.

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Ragnarok's new album "Blackdoor Miracle" will be released February 20 on Regain Records. This marks the debut of new "demonic singer" Hoest (also in Taake) who replaced former vocalist Lord Arcamous. See cover art here.

Tue, 19 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Now this sounds quite interesting: Jazzkammer will be doing a live one-off collaboration with the black metal bands Gorgoroth and Enslaved as part of the opening for the Hole in the Sky Festival in Norway. The piece, specially written for the event by Enslaved, is called "Hole In The Sky - The Apocalyptic Eye" and promises to be quite interesting I'd think. And hey, it's free so why not? "Get damaged or get a refund" they say, jokingly. It all goes down August 27 in Bergen, Norway. Other acts set to play include Arcturus, Green Carnation, Taake, Carpathian Forest, Satyricon and more.

Mon, 30 Jun 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Some of the bands confirmed for the Hole in the Sky Festival which takes place August 28-30 in Bergen, Norway: Taake, Cult of Luna, Satyricon, Enslaved, Arcturus and Meldrum. More info: www.holeinthesky.no

Mon, 26 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

It's the Memorial Day holiday over here in America today, so there's just gonna be a quick update for now. More tomorrow.

Read more about next week's Swedish radio week on P3. (in Swedish)

The new Timbuktu single for "The Botten Is Nådd" will be hitting stores early next month in both CDS and 12" vinyl along with the exclusive b-side track "För Länge Sen" (Remix), which features guest appearances by Chords and Supreme from Looptroop.

It seems that Taake gave a particularly 'revealing' performance at this year's Inferno Fest. See for yourself.

ProgPower USA IV is already sold out, three months in advance! As mentioned before, the fest marks the N. American debut of Nightwish and will also feature performances by Evergrey, Pagan's Mind and many more. The event takes place September 5-6 at Earthlink Live in Atlanta.

Mon, 13 Jan 2003 00:00:00 -0800

The archive is being updated. Done. I'm also still waiting for a mailorder shipment of new CDs before I update the playlist. Patience, my friends. I may however have some live mp3s from The Ark coming soon. We shall see...

A new Fireside mp3 for the track "Throw It Away" will be available next Monday from Startracks! The album isn't coming out till April.

Finland's HIM recently spent some time shooting the video for "Funeral of Hearts" with director Stefan Lindfors. Check out some pics from the shoot here.

Dungen will be on P3 Live January 20. You can listen online over at the P3 website.

Poet Bob Hansson has a spoken word album called "Kör Solen Kör" coming out January 27. Guests on the record include Ola Salo (The Ark) and Thåström. The first single will be "En Helt Vanlig Dag" featuring Ola.

Caesars Palace is finally gonna make it over to England, this time with Echoboy. If you remember, their December tour with (International) Noise Conspiracy was cancelled. Anyhow, The Caesars (as they're known outside Sweden) have an EP single for the song "Jerk It Out" coming out February 24, the follow-up to "(I´m Gonna) Kick You Out" which is already out. The album "Love For The Streets" comes out May 19 over there. As I've said before - watch out for this band. I expect big things. And I'm not the only one either - read this profile from Britain's Q Magazine. Here's the dates:

January 13 The Barfly, Camden
January 15 The Old Firestation, Bournemouth
January 18 The Junction, Cambridge
January 22 The Boston Arms, London
January 22 Arts Centre, Colchester
January 23 Casbah, Sheffield
January 24 Sumo, Leicester
January 26 The Barfly, Liverpool
January 27 King Tuts, Glasgow
January 28 The Cockpit, Leeds

Also on Q's 2003 bands to watch list is The Hellacopters. Read what they have to say here.

Eggstone will be the backing band and production talent on the new solo album from Weeping Willows frontman Magnus Carlsson. It will be his second attempt at going at it alone following his debut "Allt är Bara Du Du Du" from 2001.

Curious about Swedish jazz? Read this interesting article/interview concerning the recent activities of the Norrbotten Big Band.

The Cardigans will premiere a new song entitled "For What It's Worth" at the upcoming Rockbjörnen Awards on January 27. The show will be broadcasted on Swedish television and will also feature 'comeback' performances from Thomas Rusiak and Dilba along with contemporaries In Flames, Håkan Hellström, The Sounds, Mando Diao and Melody Club.

In Flames will be touring the US beginning in late March. Dates soon.

Be sure to check out 'Rock Over Sweden' today on Rocket 95.3 FM Stockholm. Listen here live or go here for more info. The program starts at 5pm local time. Or maybe not - the show is every other Monday, but it seems like today's scheduled broadcast ain't gonna happen. Next week?

Now scheduled to play the January 18 date of the Inferno Fest in Oslo is a one-off performace by a cover band made up of members from Dimmu Borgir, Red Harvest, The Kovenant, Blood Red Throne, Mayhem, and Susperia. They will reportedly run through various songs from much-respected metal artists such as Death, Black Sabbath, Slayer, and Anthrax and the whole thing is to be recorded for a possible future release on Edgerunner Records. Other bands scheduled to play the fest include Immortal, Children of Bodom and Taake.