Swedish noiserock act Traktor report that their album "Sequence the sequence" will get a vinyl release via Apocaplexy Records in the near future. The new edition will feature slightly revised artwork and will be pressed on green and red transparent vinyl.

Swedish indie label and The Swedish Model collective member I Made This has a new website: http://www.imadethis.se/
They'll be releasing the new album "Sequence the sequence" from Swedish noiserockers Traktor on April 9. Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/traktorbiz
Otherwise, keep an eye for news on new signings coming soon.

MP3: Lukestar - White shade

I received a 4-track CDR from Lukestar way back in April. There wasn't much info included in the package, just that the band was currently on the prowl for a record deal and that the tracks were recorded by Carl Vikman in Sweden. No song titles, no band bio, nothin'. I has seen Lukestar's name in passing, but didn't really know much about them 'cept that they were loosely associated with the Norwegian hardcore scene, or at least that seemed the be the circle they travelled in. However, upon listening, I was taken aback - what's up with this squeaky, androgynous voice? Is this supposed to be emopop? And that drumming... my god! That's what makes the band. The first chorus comes in and teases you with a gigantic hook, only to give way to another, more drawn-out verse with an even more amazing drum break. Then the second chorus, bigger than the last and straight into a triumphant bridge of dueling guitars lines over even busier drums. It's within the realm of noiserock, but not really all that noisy. Melody still rules. One more short, final chorus and, all of a sudden, it's over. The first time I heard it, I was left scratching my head. Not only did it totally defy expectations (those vocals!), but it wasn't quite like anything I'd heard before. Definitely comparable to a lot of the bands Carl Vikman has worked with before - Seven Feet Four, Trapdoor Fucking Exit, Traktor and so on - but with its own unique flavor. Way more pop to be sure, though still rooted in hardcore. Think back to before emo became a bad word. It took me a bit to process, but repeated listens eventually embedded "White shade" firmly into my brain. There's something really intriguing about the way it teases you with the main chorus hook and then moves on. It's such a fantastic part, but it passes by so quickly! In many ways, its stinginess is its strength - I get blindsided and am left wanting more. You might not get it immediately the first time through, but it'll get you.

Too bad Lukestar's album won't be out until 2008 - I was really looking forward to hearing more. As-is, the four tracks I do have remain some of the best stuff I've heard this year.

Lukestar - White shade

Swedish noiserockers Traktor have finished recording their 2nd album and are currently seeking a label to release it: http://www.traktorbiz.com/
Click the jukebox in the corner for samples.

New European dates for Swedish hardcore act Traktor:

04/18 - Beteigeuze, Ulm (GER)
04/19 - Sunny Red, München (GER)
04/20 - United Club, Torino (ITA)
04/21 - Papperlapp, Bolzano (ITA)
04/22 - The Cage Club, Livorno (ITA)
04/23 - Csa Capolinea, Faenza (ITA)
04/24 - Keller 264, Freiburg (GER)
04/25 - Hirscheneck, Basel (CH)
04/26 - ISC, Bern (CH) w/ Alarma Man
04/27 - Espace B, Paris (FRA)
04/28 - WBC, La Rochelle (FRA)

Bassist Fredrik will be forced to sit this one out as his girlfriend will soon give birth to their child. Robert Lindblom will fill in. In other news, the video for "Vultures" is now online: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2013558241

MP3: The Sound O.E - New bankruptcy

One of the big things that got me deeper into Swedish/Scandinavian rock way back when was explosive, guitar-heavy indierock. Fireside, Starmarket, Him Kerosene, KVLR - these are the bands that caught my interest and had me pouring through liner notes looking for more names to track down. Sadly, that scene is nowhere near as strong these days though there are a few who keep the fire burning: The End Will Be Kicks, Seven Feet Four, Aerial Convoj plus young upstarts like Traktor and today's post subjects The Sound O.E. The band has been lurking in the shadows for a couple years now, but it wasn't until very recently that they seemed to rise above and the new three-song EP "Me and Laureline" proves it. The screechy sprechstimme delivery of the verses might be a bit much for some, but remember that what they're doing is essentially sloganeering - the words are meant to be heard loud and clear. It's call & response; a call to action. When the harmonies of the chorus come in, the intentions are indisputable. The Sound O.E know exactly what they're doing. I think the arrangement could still be tightened up a bit, but I like what they're doing and definitely look forward to hearing more.

The Sound O.E - New bankruptcy

Traktor's new website is online and you can preview their entire new "Vulture" EP there by clicking on the jukebox: http://www.traktorbiz.com/
I realize it's not for everyone, but I really like their discordant rock style. Reminds me a bit of mid-90s Gravity/Ebullition style hardcore.

UK label Big Scary Monsters will attempt to follow in my illustrious footsteps by releasing a comp of Swedish music entitled "Svenskt" on October 16. The lineup looks pretty damn good actually - names confirmed include Alarma Man, Audrey, David and the Citizens, Last Days of April, Logh, Molia Falls, Moonbabies, The Sound OE and, Traktor, pretty much all bands I would heartily endorse. Check out the comp's own myspace page for more: http://www.myspace.com/svenskt

Swedish noiserockers Traktor have posted two new songs on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/traktorbiz
"Well worn eyes" will be released on the "Vultures" 7" to be released by Cut 'n Paste soon and "I have but one heart" is set to appear on the band's next full-length. Some upcoming tourdates:

06/23 - MFT Festival @ Juz Gfrath, Solingen (GER)
06/24 - Musikbrauerei, Rathenow (GER)
06/25 - Magnet Club, Berlin (GER)

Swedish noiserock act Traktor has given their website a new look: http://www.traktorbiz.com/
The band's new album "Lights" came out on January 20 via German label My Favourite Toy.

Traktor's debut album "Lights" has been confirmed for a January 21 release to be followed by a European tour. Go here for tentative dates: http://www.traktorbiz.com/live.htm

This week's reviews from Sellfish:

Lake of Tears - Greatest tears
Traktor - s/t

Swedish emo-hardcore acts Traktor and The Sound o.e are touring Germany and Austria together:

09/02 - tbc, Düsseldorf (GER)
09/03 - Em Kotten, Solingen (GER)
09/04 - Druckluft Open., Oberhausen (GER)
09/05 - tbc, Nürnberg (GER)
09/06 - PMK, Innsbruck (AUS)
09/07 - tbc, Klagenfurt (AUS)
09/08 - tbc, Linz (AUS)
09/09 - Subway to Peters, Chemnitz (GER)
09/10 - Klaushaus, Gera (GER)
09/11 - Carpe diem, Tangermünde (GER)
09/12 - Kastanie, Berlin (GER)

Via Voidfaith comes word that Eye Will Drown and Rättviseakademin will be putting out a compilation together on November 1 called "Reagera - agera" as a protest against globalization. Featured on the comp will be these eighteen Swedish bands: Akkurat (Lidköping), Asphalt (Göteborg), Anti Control Action Band (Lidköping), Amalthea (Gislaved), C.Aarmé (Göteborg), Den Siste Baronen (Lidköping), Dustscape (Luleå), Feeble (Falun), Mist orchestra (Göteborg), Sheltek (Karlstad), St Laura (Stockholm), Target Point (Karlstad), Traktor, (Eskilstuna), The Sound o.e (Eskilstuna), The Fallout Boys (Luleå), The Lolita Stasi Collective (Göteborg), The Eitsoul Ashes (Falköping), and The Grizzly Twister (Gävle). Look for artwork and more info to be posted on the newly designed Eye Will Drown website soon.