IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Ulver + Tromsø Kammerorkester

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:37:42 -0700

Ulver will be performing a newly commissioned piece of music at Tromsø Kulturhus with their 35-piece chamber orchestra on September 21. Their words: "The mass is new electronic/symphonic music specifically written for the evening, and it is grave." Furthermore, the proceedings will be recorded and will eventually become the band's next album. More details/tickets (in Norwegian): http://kulturhuset.tr.no/hovedscenen/program/ulver

Ulver - In the past

Thu, 31 May 2012 17:37:32 -0700

More new Ulver from their recent psychrock tribute album "Childhood's end".

Ulver - Magic hollow (video)

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:32:18 -0700

Check out a new Ulver video for the Beau Brummels tune "Magic hollow" off their upcoming all-covers album "Childhood's end".

Ulver journeys to "Childhood's end"

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:27:34 -0700

Coming May 28, Ulver's all-classic psychedlic rock covers album "Childhood's end" -- read all about it and hear samples here: http://www.kscopemusic.com/ulver/childhoodsend/

Ulver live DVD coming in late November

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:23:27 -0700

Ulver will be releasing a live 2xDVD/Blu-ray album on November 28 featuring their performance from The Norwegian National Opera in Oslo this past July. Full details, including set list and more: http://www.kscopemusic.com/ulver/thenorwegiannationalopera/

Ulver on tour

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:02:27 -0700

New fall/winter dates for Ulver:

11/10 - Teatro Espace, Torino (ITA)
11/11 - Circolo Degli Artisti, Roma (ITA)
11/12 - Teatro Regio, Parma (ITA)
11/17 - Razzmatazz 2, Barcelona (ESP)
11/18 - Caracol, Madrid (ESP)
11/19 - Musicbox, Lisboa (PT)
11/18 - Cidade Da Cultura, Santiago de Compostela (ESP)
11/26 - Fuzz Club, Athens (GRE)
12/17 - Mega Club, Katowice (POL)
01/14 - Movistar Arena, Santiago de Chile (CL)

Zweizz & Joey Hopkins s/t Jester Records

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:23:12 -0700

It's clear from the offset that this album is something unique. After all, when you have so many tracks in which beauty and madness share a simultaneous space, there's no denying that there's a creative genius at work here. As it happens, we have two creative geniuses in collaboration on this album: Norway's Svein Egil Hatlevik (here under the guise of Zweizz) and the sadly departed US-chaos merchant Joey Hopkins (of Midget Factory fame). The two met online a few years ago and promptly put their maniacal heads together to come up with eleven tracks of unclassifiable weirdness that have culminated in this self-titled opus. There's so much going on here that it's impossible to take in on one listen, from the Commodore 64-industrial barrage of "dWill 2 dPower" to the off-kilter ABBA-esque musings of "How we ate the flesh", this is an album that commands respect. Track of the album is "The goat", which kicks off with a cybersheep chorus followed by something that sounds like a bizarre reimagining of the "Alien" soundtrack. The album also benefits from a wealth of guest appearances from Carl-Michael Eide (Virus, Aura Noir), Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver), Torgny Knutson Amdam (Amulet) and Ingrid Aarvik Berge (Norma Sass), to name a few. To the untrained ear most of this might sound like random incoherence. In actual fact, it's one of the best lessons in controlled chaos that you're ever likely to find. This is a whole new level. This is lounge music for lunatics.

The Silent Ballet reviews Ulver

Mon, 16 May 2011 18:22:37 -0700

The Silent Ballet covers Ulver's latest work "War of the roses": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/4158/Default.aspx

Avant-garde Metal bears witness to Zweizz/Virus/Ulver

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:19:04 -0700

Avant-garde Metal went to London to cover the landmark Zweizz/Virus/Ulver gig and has posted an extensive report: http://www.avantgarde-metal.com/content/stories2.php?id=213

Wars of the roses microsite

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:29:02 -0700

Kscope has a new microsite for Ulver's upcoming album "Wars of the roses": http://www.kscopemusic.com/ulver/warsoftheroses/

Avant-garde Metal talks to Ulver

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:45:32 -0700

Avant-garde Metal talks to Ulver about their new album "Wars of the roses" and upcoming tour: http://www.avantgarde-metal.com/content/stories2.php?id=211

Ulver unveil "War of the roses"

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:34:32 -0800

Details have been revealed for the new Ulver album "War of the roses", now confirmed for release in April via Kscope: http://www.jester-records.com/ulver/ulver.html
Said album is the first in many years to not be released on the band's own Jester Records and it also stands as the first release since establishing themselves as a formidable live act. Needless to say, this is one of 2011's most anticipated releases.

Lycantropen themes coming to vinyl

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:13:46 -0800

Ulver's "Lycantropen themes" soundtrack album, one of my favorite releases from the adventurous act, is getting a vinyl release with a facelift: http://www.trineogkim.no/blog/index.php/tkds/comments/lyckantropen/
Look for copies to be sold on the band's upcoming European tour.

Ulver - February MMX

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:37:13 -0800

New music from Ulver: http://soundcloud.com/booking-26-1/february-mmx

Statoil nominees announced

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:39:48 -0800

The nominees for this year's lucrative by:Larm Statoil Grant have been announced and they are Harrys Gym, Ulver, Ost & Kjex, Kvelertak, Montée, 120 Days, Jenny Hval, Turns, Lukestar and I Was A King. Knut Schreiner aka Euroboy will be heading the jury making the final decision.

Top tens for 2010: Svein Egil Hatlevik (Zweizz)

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:29:49 -0800

Most frequently listened songs in 2010.

In alphabetical order.

(Source: My iTunes)

Beatles "Drive My Car"

Burzum "Glemselens Elv"

Cat Power "Sea of Love"

Genesis "Land of Confusion"

Leif Juster "Den Få'kke Du / Idealet Mitt"

Moondog "Why Spend The Dark Night"

Nidingr "Reginsmol"

Prince and the Revolution "Darling Nikki"

The Velvet Underground "All Tomorrow's Parties"

ZZ Top "Cheap Sunglasses"

---------------------------
Zweizz will be supporting Ulver on tour this coming spring.
http://zweizz.blogspot.com/ http://www.myspace.com/zweizzmusick

Ulver + Zweizz to tour Europe

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:05:59 -0800

New international tourdates for Ulver with support from Zweizz:

03/22 - Koko, London (UK)
03/26 - Trabendo, Paris (FRA)
03/27 - Incorso, Rotterdam (NL)
03/28 - Uebel & Gefaehrlich, Hamburg (GER)
03/29 - Matrix, Bochum-Langendreer (GER)
03/30 - Substage, Karlsruhe (GER)
03/31 - Z7, Basel (CH)
04/01 - Backstage Hall, Munich (GER)
04/02 - Madonn Delfabero Madonn Delfabero, Ravena (ITA)
04/03 - Szene, Vienna (AUS)
04/06 - K17, Berlin (GER)
04/07 - Majestic, Bratislava (SLO)
04/08 - Beatpol, Dresden (GER)
04/09 - Biebob, Antwerp (BEL)
04/10 - Colosaal, Asschaffenburg (GER)

Ulver + Virus + Zweizz

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:15:27 -0800

Norwegian noisenik/prankster Zweizz has been added to the Ulver/Virus show in London at KOKO and will also be accompanying the former on a number of other dates.

Ulver + Virus live in London

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:22:51 -0800

Norwegian avant-metal legends Ulver and Virus will be performing in London together on March 22 at KOKO: http://www.koko.uk.com/listings/ulver-virus-22-03-2011

Ulver, live in Porto

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:59:24 -0700

Ulver will be travelling to Portugal to perform at Casa da Música on November 5 alongside industrial/noise legends Throbbing Gristle. Click here for details.

Nidingr Wolf-father Jester Records

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:44:00 -0700

Nidingr are one of those bands who make up for their lack of releases with the supremacy of their recordings, and "Wolf-father" is no exception. Musically, this is unmistakably Teloch and Blargh at work and it is a fitting follow-up to 2005's "Sorrow infinite and darkness". Just as that album displayed a strange character unique to Nidingr, so does "Wolf-father" exude an enigmatic presence that doesn't quite sound like anything else out there. As much as founder-member Teloch may loathe genre labelling, the best way to describe Nidingr to the untrained ear is to explain that it's predominantly deathened black metal (yes, that's the right way around) with elements of 'weird' included. When compared to its predecessor, it has an almost muffled sonority yet, as a standalone album, the production is spot-on, complimenting the musical output to perfection. A short album, clocking in at just under 23 minutes, it's definitely a case of quality over quantity, but with the legendary Hellhammer offering his expertise behind the kit, a special guest appearance by Ulver's Garm, and an album that's captivating from start to finish, the quality control mark is firmly stamped and good to go. There's not a dull moment to be had, from the driving main riff of "Baldrs draumar" to its esoteric doomy passages through to "Reginsmol", a song that sounds-off like Burzum on cocaine. It's all inspiring stuff. There's something about it that takes us right back to the heady days of early Norwegian black metal and therein lays its hidden genius. At we enter the latter half of 2010, this looks like it could be one of the top releases of the year.

MP3: Nidingr - Hymiskvitha

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:20:51 -0700

I'm not the only one to lose interest in black metal -- genre pioneers Ulver abandoned the genre completely once completing their monumental 3-album trilogy. Which is not to say they abandoned the dark arts completely; in fact, I'd say that some of their post-BM work is ever more black and twisted than "Nattens madrigal". It goes to show that even if you stray, there will still be lines drawing you back, though the news that Ulver mainman Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg's label Jester Records was releasing a "pure" BM album by the band Nidingr still came to me as a surprise. Naturally, I was immensely curious -- though not all of Jester's releases appeal to me, they are always interesting and I knew I had to hear what was so exciting as to inspire such a return. Amazingly, for a label that prides itself on releasing left-field/avant music, Nidingr's "Wolf-Father" is straight-up orthodox: lots of blasting drums (courtesy of Hellhammer), tremolo picking and cold, dissonant riffs. There are a few standout points of interest though, and that's what makes it an exceptional release. First, the recording. On one hand, it's really flat and digital sounding and, to be frank, the drums are lame and unnatural/heavily triggered, but it's also all very in-your-face, especially the vocals. Also, the cleanliness augments the fact that it's a (mostly) unembellished recording, untainted by excessive and unnecessary overdubs. You can even hear the bass! Furthermore, so much BM is marred by ye standard issue reverb-drenched shrieking, but not here: Nidingr is all about raging screams placed front and center in the mix. Which brings me to my second standout point: the lyrics. Not that I could ever understand Enslaved's old Norse lyrics on their (superb) early albums, but I knew what they were about and I knew it was awesome; Nidingr mines those same Viking legends, but they disseminate it in English and they do it with unbridled fury. Taken as a whole, it's almost enough to get me excited about black metal again. Almost, I say, because I doubt anything else will match it anytime soon.

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?

Jester branches into black-metal

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:49:09 -0700

How did I not know about this? Jester Records, the esteemed avant/whatever label run by Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg of Ulver, will be releasing Nidingr's new album "Wolf-father" on June 5, their very first-ever black-metal release. Also, like Ulver's own renown BM-trilogy, this new album is inspired by Norse mythology. Hear a couple samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nidingr

Ulver - I had too much to dream last night

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:27:13 -0800

Ulver has posted the first taste of their upcoming psychrock tribute on myspace, a cover of "I had too much to dream last night" by Electric Prunes: http://www.myspace.com/ulver1
Joining them on this recording are Lars Pedersen of When on drums and Mats Engen from Euroboys on bass. Also note the 2010 European tourdates.

Ulver records a hippie-folk album, collaborates with Sunn 0))), more

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:55:02 -0800

Ulver reports: "We have recorded some hippie songs, from the sixties, bands like The 13th Floor Elevators, Byrds, Jefferson Airplane and stranger Aquarian folks. We aim to make this into a full album, a kind of Ulver kicking against the pricks." Expect a sample tune to appear online soon. In other news, the band recorded a collaboration with US doom act Sunn O))) following their appearance at the last Øya Festival, but it is still not yet finished due to the difficulty of getting everyone together in the same place at the same time. Still, they hope to have it ready for release in spring. And lastly, read an extremely extensive interview with the band at Avantgarde-Metal: http://www.avantgarde-metal.com/content/stories2.php?id=127

Trine + Kim designstudio celebrate 10 years

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:17:58 -0700

Norwegian visual artists Trine + Kim designstudio celebrate their 10th anniversary of work with a retrospective exhibition on their many iconic album covers (Ulver, Mayhem, DHG, Darkthrone, etc.) and a book collection entitled "Decade". There will be a release party and mini-concert on October 30 at Podium in Olso (RSVP req'd) and I believe their works will be on display for the following two days in the same locale.

Cornelius Jakhelln on Ulver

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:14:42 -0700

Cornelius Jakhelln's (Solefald) intro talk from the recent Ulver live (re-)premiere is now published online for your perusal: http://www.jester-records.com/ulver/ulver.html (scroll down)

Ulver live footage on YouTube

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:01:56 -0700

Fan-filmed footage from this past weekend's Ulver performance, their first in 15 years, has now surfaced online and Blabbermouth has compiled some clips: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121080

Ulver to play live for first time in 15 years

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:57:52 -0800

Ulver will make their first live appearance in 15 years (!!!) at the Norwegian Festival of Literature in Lillehammer on May 30. Details and ticket info: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=34726270&blogID=470259719

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.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:02:08 -0700

Swedish electronic duo Valutan is giving away their new album "Blame the voters" as a free download via Pitch 9: http://www.pitch9.com/
I still need to spend more time with it, but a cursory listen reminds me a bit of later-era Ulver.

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:44:51 -0700

Listen to Ulver's contribution to the massive Norwegian Prince tribute collection "Shockadelica: 50th Anniversary Tribute To The Artist Known As Prince": http://www.myspace.com/ulver1

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:53:41 -0700

Paper Thin Walls guest editors Experimental Dental School (from Oakland, CA) expound on the greatness of Ulver: http://www.paperthinwalls.com/singlefile/item?id=1607

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:14:16 -0700

Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg of Ulver will be touring as a member of international experimental/doom act Æthenor this coming April. Read more about the project here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=34726270&blogID=370807411

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:48:04 -0700

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

01. Figurines - The wonder
02. TALK 1
03. CS Nielsen - Happy
04. Superfamily - Teens of the 70s
05. Winter Took His Life - Oh
06. TALK 2
07. Frivolvol - Out come the knives
08. Bogus Blimp - Untitled jazz no. 1
09. Firefox AK - Pushing
10. TALK 3
11. Disfear - Get it off
12. Biker Boy - March song (Kalle J remix)
13. Eskju Divine - Darkness all around
14. TALK 4
15. Dogday - New romance
16. Mew - Am I wry? No
17. Det Är Jag Som Är Döden - Hello!
18. TALK 5
19. Familjen - Huvudet i sanden
20. Darkthrone - Skald av Satans sol
21. Caesars Palace - (I'm gonna) Kick you out
22. TALK 6
23. Lack - Behead
24. Bertine Zetlitz - Fake your beauty
25. Hebosagil - Old prophet
26. TIAC - OTW
27. TALK 7
28. Marybell Katastrophy - Hip
29. Strip Music - Never die
30. The Social Services - Electric brae
31. TALK 8
32. At the Gates - All life ends (live)
33. Fireside - Jupiter
34. Ulver - Funebre
35. Paper - They're gonna keep me
36. TALK 9
37. Convoj - Cultural legacy
38. Maia Hirasawa - Still June
39. Silverbullit - Run
40. TALK 10
41. Massgrav - Vuxenliv

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:07:32 -0800

Brainwashed finally gets around to reviewing Ulver's latest: http://brainwashed.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6655&Itemid=64
In other Ulver news, check out the Ulver flask: http://www.jester-records.com/ulver/images/ULVER_flask.jpg
"It is the most useful band merchandise we will ever make, tragic as we are." Order here: http://www.jester-records.com/flask.php

Top 10s for 2007: Svein Egil Hatlevik (Zweizz)

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Ok, so I looked through the lists that have already been published, and it's clear to me that I should not write a list with some half-assed concept, nor should I write a list of all the fantastic things that happened to me this year -- seeing that I did not even get to point four on any of those egocentric lists that people submitted. Sometimes laziness is a good thing, because I was about to write one of those myself.

Here is my list:

Best Scandinavian albums of 2007 (although I probably missed out on a lot of good stuff), in no particular order:

Hans Appelqvist "Sifantin och Mörkret"

Bergraven "Dödsvisioner"

Manes "How the world came to an end"

Ulver "Shadows of the sun"

Shining "Grindstone"

Hild Sofie Tafjord "Kama"

Mayhem "Ordo ad chao"

Sten Ove Toft "Lit de parade"

Momrakattakk "Masters of Momrak"

Jens Lekman "Night falls over Kortedala"

I guess there are too many Norwegians on that list. I'll check out more music from other Scandinavian countries next year. Let that be my new year's resolution..

---------------------------
Svein Egil Hatlevik performs under the alias Zweizz and is also involved in many other music projects such as Pronounced "Sex", Umoral, Fleurety and probably a whole lot of other names I'm forgetting. Oh yeah, he's also a respected Norwegian journalist.
www.myspace.com/zweizzmusick
www.myspace.com/umoral
www.myspace.com/pronouncedsex
www.myspace.com/fleurety

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:17:45 -0800

Pitchfork's 'Show No Mercy' metal column rounds up some of the year's best albums and gets a few lists from contributors such as Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver) and Svein Egil Hatlevik (Zweizz): http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/47248-column-show-no-mercy
Scandinavian highlights on said list include Watain, Bergraven, Ulver and DHG.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:55:05 -0800

Decibel interviews Ulver: http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/dec2007/ulver.aspx

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:14:40 -0800

MetalKult has posted a video interview with Ulver frontman Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg: http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/videos/ulver-the-metalkult-interview/

MP3: Ulver - Solitude

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:15:08 -0700

Black Sabbath is my #1 all-time favorite band, so I always approach covers of their songs with serious trepidation. You know I don't expect much when 98% of the bands that plagiarize their style totally miss the mark. On hearing that Ulver had a Sabbath cover on their new album "Shadows of the sun", I was skeptical. What song would they do? How would they perform it? Ulver is constantly surprising and reinventing themselves, so I didn't even have a clue as to what new Ulver songs would sound like. When I found out the song they selected was "Solitude" from "Master of reality", my fears were somewhat abated. It's a great piece of music and often overlooked, thus a perfect candidate. Perhaps not as surprising as Pantera doing "Planet caravan" (which is excellent btw), but along the same lines. Anyhow, Ulver's cover is surprisingly faithful to the original - the arrangement, the instrumentation, everything. Really, the only liberty that they take is with the vocals which have been brought up to the front and double-tracked with harmonies. Garm has grown into a tremendous singer as proven with recent Ulver albums, but it's really here, on "Shadows of the sun", where all the accolades come to fruition. Now, not only can he hit all the requisite notes, but he is now capable of showing much more restraint and emotion. Now, as for comparing it to the original, well... it falls short, but I give them credit where credit is due. It's an inspired song choice, but they didn't make it their own. Sorry. On the other hand, the rest of the album is excellent and definitely their best post-black metal work yet. Well worth checking out.

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:21:28 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Boys of Scandinavia - Beautiful as a person
02. TALK 1
03. Don't Be A Stranger - Perfect problem
04. Timo Räisänen - Sixteen
05. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
06. TALK 2
07. Deathbed - When hope leaves a body
08. Closer - Sensing the wake
09. TALK 3
10. The Tarantula Waltz - Two arrows
11. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
12. Anna Järvinen - Götgatan
13. TALK 4
14. Eric Malmberg - Slutet på en epok
15. Mustasch - Bring me everyone
16. September - Until I die
17. TALK 5
18. Leütenhaven - Still life (trompe l'oeil)
19. Frode Haltli - The latter
20. Lykke Li - Little bit
21. TALK 6
22. Downstairs - Peephole city
23. The Cardigans - Don't blame your daughter (Diamonds)
24. Paris - When I laid my eyes on you
25. TST - We are the kids
26. TALK 7
27. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
28. Mikko Singh - Palmun juurella
29. Audionom - Dc2
30. TALK 8
31. Ulver - Solitude
32. The Psyke Project - I get paralyzed
33. Silverbullit - Winter coat
34. TALK 9
35. Bodies Without Organs (BWO) - Let it rain
36. Icos - On my own
37. Torpedo - Hang me high
38. TALK 10
39. Graveyard - Satan's finest

FYI, in case you missed my announcement: next week will be a spooky Halloween-themed program.

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:59:04 -0700

PopMatters talks to Krystoffer "Garm" Rygg of Ulver (as well as Anneke van Giersbergen, ex-vocalist for the fine Dutch band The Gathering): http://www.popmatters.com/pm/columns/article/49495/sun-and-air-an-interview-with-anneke-van-giersbergen-and-krystoffer-garm-ry/

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:56:05 -0700

MIC Norway profiles Ulver and their new album "Shadows of the sun": http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007101014044114328679
I still need to spend a lot more time with it, but cursory listens have me thinking it's probably Ulver's best post-black-metal work yet.

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:10:25 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Mattias Bärjed - 99 pounds
02. TALK 1
03. Piroth - Waltz for prima ballerina
04. Hyacinth House - Swedish signs on Monkey Island
05. Aerial - Secret goddess
06. Icos - Fly away
07. TALK 2
08. Robyn - Konichiwa bitches (Trentemøller remix)
09. Folke Rabe - Argh!
10. Him Kerosene - Ladybugs
11. TALK 3
12. Audionom - In the streets
13. The Alpine - Trigger
14. Immanu El - Astral days
15. TALK 4
16. Nina Ramsby & Martin Hederos - Jag har en vän
17. Logh - Thieves in the palace
18. Galento - Gunnar Hardings paraply
19. TALK 5
20. Promise and the Monster - Antarkis
21. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Heroica
22. Anchor - In the throes of passion
23. TALK 6
24. Repoman - Valley of snakes
25. Ulver - Shadows of the sun
26. Bobby Baby - Do not twist
27. TALK 7
28. Superfamily - Warszawa
29. The Fine Arts Showcase - Modern love
30. Sinikka Langeland - Sus i myrull
31. TALK 8
32. Graveyard - Thin line
33. Mai - Snowing downtown
34. KVLR - Abomination
35. TALK 9
36. Säkert! - Sanningsdan

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:03:41 -0700

This month's "Show no mercy" column at Pitchfork talks to Ulver (as well as local [to me] act Wolves in the Throne Room): http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/45864-column-show-no-mercy

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Ulver added another new track to their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/ulver1

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Timo Räisänen - My valentine
02. TALK 1
03. Torpedo - From Russia with love
04. Desert Planet - Breakout button
05. Ebba Grön - Mamma pappa barn
06. TALK 2
07. The End Will Be Kicks - Don Johnson
08. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet
09. Skull Defekts - The secret
10. TALK 3
11. Tsukimono - Tokyo OEast
12. Kristin Asbjørnsen - Trying to get home
13. Enemy Alliance - Government subsidized ghetto
14. TALK 4
15. The Indecision Alarm - Where every fucking dream is killed
16. Dismember - Soon to be dead
17. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Moments
18. TALK 5
19. Kristofer Åström - All in
20. Pan Sonic - Virta 1
21. Ulver - Of wolf and fear
22. TALK 6
23. Mainliners - Olivia
24. 120 Days - Let me come down
25. Universal Poplab - 60 is the new 40
26. TALK 7
27. Dag Vag - Popitop
28. The Bombettes - Lust is the new black
29. Breach - Big strong boss
30. TALK 8
31. CS Nielsen - Black spots
32. Tape - Sand dunes
33. The Psyke Project - For us to see for us to help
34. TALK 9
35. Cortex - Shark boys die hard
36. Viola - I don't know how to party
37. Don't Be A Stranger - Lonely together
38. TALK 10
39. Broder Daniel - What clowns are we

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

There's a new Ulver track posted on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ulver1
The band's new album "Shadow of the sun" will be out October 2 via The End Records. In other news, Ulver frontman Kristoffer Rygg (aka Garm, Trickster G, etc.) and programmer/keyboardist Tore Ylwizaker will be DJing at the album's record release part on September 20 at Europa in Brooklyn, New York.

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Ulver has updated their bio in anticipation of the new record "Shadows of the sun", due out October 1 in Norway via Jester, elsewhere on the 2nd via The End Records: http://www.jester-records.com/ulver/ulver.html

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Ulver will release their new album "Shadows of the sun" on October 1.

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The playlist for my radio show this week:

01. Pistol Disco - Walking with Jesus
02. TALK 1
03. Heroes & Zeros - Into the light
04. Vijaya - Your gun will never set you free
05. Convoj - My timekeeping heart
06. TALK 2
07. Darkthrone - Too old, too cold
08. A Perfect Friend - Rush hour
09. Death By Kite - Hiroshima
10. TALK 3
11. Fun - I've got a truck
12. Moonbabies - Walking on my feet
13. The Perishers - When I fall
14. TALK 4
15. Regulations - Police siren
16. Viola - Ordinary teenage sensation
17. Björn Kleinhenz - Starlit queen
18. TALK 5
19. Gravy - Glory to our brilliant name
20. Hero Dishonest - Stalin vs Hank Hardy
21. Sophie Zelmani - To know you
22. Ulver - Capitel III: Graablick blev hun vaer
23. TALK 6
24. Håkan Hellström - Ramlar
25. Abhinanda - Highway tonight
26. Single Unit - Passion, pirates & parasites
27. TALK 7
28. Kompjotr Eplektrika - Skulldrummantra
29. The Tiny - Just like you
30. Death Breath - Death breath
31. TALK 8
32. Entombed - Serpent speech
33. The Cardigans - Marvel hill
34. Soviac - I got the ribbah
35. TALK 9
36. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
37. You Is Stupid - I am history
38. Paris - 60 minutes
39. The Process - Mot Sverige i tiden
40. TALK 10
41. Weeping Willows - I give you the morning

MP3: Espen Jørgensen - Move ahead - quickly

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

The variety of sounds that can be coaxed from a solo acoustic guitar are astounding. The polyphony of the strings and the rhythm of the player's picking and strumming are the most basic elements and most easy to recognize, but there's so much more potential. Norwegian artist Espen Jørgensen explores the vast realm of possibilities on his album "On the great Alkali Plains", preferring to remain solo and unaccompanied except on a few tracks which feature minimalist percussion and one with a subtle echo effect. Unlike many other releases on Jester Records, the label founded by Garm of Ulver, this music isn't particularly challenging, though it does inspire careful thought and consideration. The solo guitar, played masterfully and left unadorned, can say so much with so little. Without raising his voice, Jørgensen speaks volumes.

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Via Northern Vantage comes word that Ulver's rerecording of their classic album "Nattens madrigal" with full strings is back on track: http://my.opera.com/NorthernVantage/blog/2006/12/14/ulver-nattens-madrigal-to-be-rerecorde

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
02. Sebastian - Sebastian
03. The Refreshments - 238814
04. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
05. Evergrey - Monday morning apocalypse
06. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
07. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
08. Christer Sjögren - King creole
09. The Knife - Silent shout
10. The Sounds - Dying to say this to you
11. Petter - P
12. Lotta Engberg - Världens bästa lotta
13. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
14. Rigmore Gustafsson - On my way to you
15. The Concretes - In colour
16. Ulf Lundell - När jag kysser havet - det bästa 75-84
17. Da Buzz - Last goodbye
18. Ulf Lundell - Venus & jupiter - det bästa 94-05
19. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
20. Ulf Lundell - Danielas hus - det bästa 84-93

Aversionline on Head Control System, the new project from Garm of Ulver collaborating with Daniel Cardoso (ex-Sirius, Re:aktor): http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/03/best-nu-metal-album-of-all-time.html

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Ex-Emperor/Peccatum frontman Ihsahn has posted a couple samples from his debut solo album on his website: http://www.ihsahn.com/
The track "Called by fire" features guest vocals from Garm of Ulver. Sounds a bit like Ulver, too (on that particular track).

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

Jester Records, the label run by Garm (or whatever name he's currently going by) of Ulver, has scheduled When's new album "Who's laughing now?" and a tba record from Espen Jørgenzen for release this summer.

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Head Control System, the new project from Daniel Cardoso (ex-Sirius, Re:aktor) and Kristoffer Garm Rygg (Ulver, ex-Arcturus, Borknagar) that used to be called Sindrome has officially signed with The End Records and will be releasing their debut album "Murder nature" on April 4. Read the full press release: http://www.theendrecords.com/label_new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=237&Itemid=49

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Profound Lore has released a special limited vinyl edition of Ulver's latest album "Blood inside". Go to their website for more info: http://profoundlorerecords.com/

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Plenty of choice Scandinavian pics on Decibel Magazine's top 40 of 2005 list: http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_djmartian_archive.html#113339939499691172 (Opeth, Meshuggah, Enslaved, Ulver, etc.)

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Sindrome, the new band from Ulver mainman Kristoffer G. Rygg (aka Garm) and Daniel Cardoso (ex-Sirius), is now to be known as Head Control System. Listen to four full tracks on their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/spiralsektor

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Apeshit.org interviews Ulver: http://www.apeshit.org/article.php?p=1631&more=1

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Decibel Magazine reviews the new Ulver: http://decibelmagazine.com/0905_ulver_bloo.aspx

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Flagpole reviews David Fridlund and Ulver: http://www.flagpole.com/articles.php?fp=5474

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Musique Machine interviews the often-cryptic Garm of Ulver: http://www.musiquemachine.com/articles/articles_template.php?id=66

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Aversionline reviews the new Ulver, liking it quite a bit more than most other reviews I've seen: http://www.aversionline.com/reviews/2593/

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Dusted reviews the new Ulver album: http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2295

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

UltimateMetal interviews Krystoffer Rygg aka Garm of Ulver: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201876

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Musique Machine reviews the new Ulver record: http://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=645
Personally, I'm not too excited about it. It definitely sounds killer, but the songs just aren't there. If this has come out around the time of the William Blake "Marriage of heaven and hell" album, I might've enjoyed it more, but today it just seems like a step backwards. Still, I can't ever fault Ulver for trying - they are one of the few acts today that's constantly reinventing themselves and experimenting with every new release. There's something to be said for that. UPDATE: Stylus takes it a step further and straight-up pans the album: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3122

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out some scans of the new Ulver interview from Terrorizer magazine: one / two

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Ulver mainman Kristoffer G. Rygg (aka Garm) is teaming up with Daniel Cardoso (ex-Sirius) for a new experimental heavy-rock project entitled Sindrome. The band is currently recording their debut album "A killer view" and plans to release it sometime this coming fall. Check out a preview sample at the band's website: http://www.spiralsektor.com/
I'm sorry to say that I'm not all that impressed as it sounds to me like a mere step above standard nu-metal. Oh well.

Tue, 17 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

The End Records has posted a full version of the track "Christmas" from the new Ulver album "Blood inside" for download: http://media.theendrecords.com/Ulver_BloodInside_Christmas.mp3
As some of you are probably aware, the new album has already leaked to p2p and is being discussed on message boards. I'm still on the fence with my assessment, but my initial reaction is that I am underwhelmed.

Mon, 09 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Solefald is now saying that their new album "Red for Fire, Black for Death" will be "a True Nordik, Viking Metal album" and will feature a guest appearance from Garm of Ulver as Loki, the Norwegian god of mischief. It's due out this fall via Season of Mist.

Tue, 03 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the video for "It is not sound" from Ulver: http://media.theendrecords.com/Ulver_ItIsNotSound_55mb.MOV
The track comes from the band's upcoming album "Blood inside", due out June 6 in Europe, July 12 in the US.

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the artwork for the new Ulver album "Blood inside": http://trineogkim.no/cover29_ulver.html

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

Jester Records tentatively reported that the new, much-anticipated Ulver album "Blood inside" was available for mailorder, but was forced to cancel the offer due to label pressure. Oh well. As they say themselves, just wait for the album to leak in the next few days if you can't wait: http://www.jester-records.com/

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Check out the video for the Ulver/Upland collaboration "Lost in moments": http://www.upland.no/mp3s/upland-ulver_lost-in-moments.mpg

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Jester Records has confirmed that the brand new Ulver album "Blood inside" will be released in April and available for mailorder in March. Tracklist, cover art and soundclips available here: http://www.jester-records.com/releases_sub.php?ID=39

Fri, 07 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Code is the name of a new black-metal act featuring Vicotnik from Ved Buens Ende/Dødheimsgard on bass, Kvohst from Void (aka Ionman) on vocals and AiwarikiaR from Ulver on drums. The band's recently-completed debut album "Nouveau gloaming" will be released by Spinefram in March.

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

The End Records has posted mp3s for a number of their upcoming releases including Darkthrone, Frantic Bleep and Ulver: http://www.theendrecords.com/label/index_label.html
Note that the Ulver clip is the same one that was posted on the Jester website last week.

Mon, 13 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Rejoice! A special holiday gift from Ulver: http://www.jester-records.com/mp3/ulver/blood/xmas.mp3
I do believe the clip is a preview of the upcoming album "Blood inside", due out early next year. Kind of harkens back to the "Marriage of heaven and hell" album to my ears, for better or worse.

Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Ulver says that they are done with the film business for now. Their latest soundtrack project "Uno" has been quite successful in Norway with over 200k visitors in the firth month and a prize at the EuropaCinema festival in Italy. Bonnier Amigo Music Norway has released a soundtrack album, but the group's own label Jester will be putting out their own eventually as well. Coming out next will be the soundtrack to "Blood Inside" which features guest guitar work from Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa) and various instrumentation and improv work from UK singer/songwriter Tom McRae and band. Their own words: "It is running cold and the brain is receiving it and interpreting and transmitting again and again and again. It is making us sick. A baroque thing, beyond all good taste."
But that's not all! Ulver has also completed a collaboration with Stephen O'Malley and SUNN O))) that they describe as "a 15 min. epic with Julian Cope speaking out of the dark." Swedish radio has commisioned the piece for broadcast and it will also be released on the SUNN O))) "White" 4xLP box set scheduled for release this spring. Lastly, Ulver has recorded a downtempo version of "Strange Ways" for an upcoming Norwegian Kiss tribute entitled "Gods of Thunder". Other acts set to appear on the album are Turbonegro and Gluecifer (of course) and it will be released sometime next year by VME in cooperation with the Norwegian Kiss Army.

Tue, 15 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Some news from Ulver:

Los Angeles was strange. Blood Inside, gold outside. Friggin' Frank Zappa's guitar player, Mike Keneally, ended up going mad over our record. We are proud to probably not use much of it. We also had Tom McRae with band over for a day of improvising for the film "Uno". Some sort of moon unit we were in Ronan's own Woodstock, with pianos, acoustic guitars, cello, violin and of course Rhodes. We have four hours on record which will be edited down for an "unplugged" disc accompanying the final film score. Still in the making. "Uno" opens the Haugesund International Film Festival in August.
The score for Mona J. Hoel's film entitled "Zalo, Salmiakk og Kaffe" is done. Featuring Sámi siren Mari Boine and percussionist Marilyn Mazur, who's played with Miles Davis for crying out loud. We make a CD for you.
Oh beautiful harvest.

Check out the video for "Att dansa och slåss" from Peggy Lejonhjärta: http://www.engstrand.nu/pop_peggy.htm

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

The Jester Records website says that the new Ulver album will be called "Blood Inside". No exact release date has been announced yet, just that it's due in 2004.

Fri, 23 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0700

The long-awaited Dead Can Dance tribute "The Lotus Eaters" from Black Lotus Records has been confirmed for a May 11 release. As mentioned before, there's a number of great artists contributing including Scandinavians Ulver, The Gathering, Arcana, Green Carnation and more. Full details: http://www.black-lotus-recs.com/bands.html?action_bands=show&id_bands=494

Mon, 02 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800

A new issue of Aversionline means a huge batch of new reviews to pour through. Some of the Scandinavian acts covered this time around: The Change, Darkane, Dimension Zero, Eucharist, Gorgoroth, Naglfar, Nightrage, V:28, The Vectors, The Wake, the "Lyckantropen" DVD (ft. music and interview with Ulver) and tons more.

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Ulver reports that Ronan Chris Murphy is mixing the new album "Blood Inside" at his Veneto West studio in Los Angeles. Murphy played in Freak Baby right before Dave Grohl joined the band back in the mid0-80s, but his most recent work has centered around mixing King Crimson albums, judging by his AMG discography. No exact release date, but expect it to come this fall.

In other Ulver news, the group has confirmed two feature film soundtrack assignments, one for Mona Hoel's "Freedom From Fear" and one for Aksel Hennie's "Uno" which will be a collaboration with UK-based singer/songwriter Tom McRae. There's more negiotations for other projects in the works, but nothing confirmed yet.

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

In somewhat Ulver-related news, mainman Garm's label Jester Records will reissue Origami Galaktika's album "Horisont" sometime before summer. The music for that was composed as a joint sound-picture exhibition with painter Bård Solhaug back in 2002. They say to look for new albums on the horizon from Kåre Jöao, Bogus Blimp and Rotoscope, too.

Mon, 05 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Here's most of the nominees for the Spellemannprisen, Norway's answer to the Grammy:

Female pop soloist:
Lene Marlin - "Another Day"
Karin Park - "Superworldunknown"
Bertine Zetlitz - "Sweet Injections"

Male pop soloist:
Julian Berntzen - "Waffytown"
Thomas Dybdahl - "Stray Dogs"
Magnet - "On Your Side"

Pop group:
D'Sound - "Doublehearted"
Ephemera - "Air"
Number Seven Deli - "Falkner Street"

Electronica:
Snuten - "Welcome to the Jungle"
Ulver - "Teachings in Silence"
Xploding Plastix - "The Donca Matic Singalongs"

Rock:
Amulet - "Danger! Danger!"
Ricochets - "The Ghost Of Our Love"
Thulsa Doom - "And Then Take You To a Place Where Jars Are"
Turbonegro - "Scandinavian Leather"
We - "Lightyears Ahead"

Blues/Country:
Vidar Busk - "Love Buzz"
Amund Maarud - "Ripped, Stripped and Southern Fried"
Tumbleweed - "Once More, With Feeling"

Metal:
Dimmu Borgir - "Death Cult Armageddon"
Enslaved - "Below the Lights"
Old Man's Child - "In Defiance of Existence"

Hip-Hop:
Diaz - "Velkommen Hjem Andres"
Equicez - "State of Emergency"
Paperboys - "The Great Escape"

Jazz:
Atomic - "Boom Boom"
Toe Brunborg Quartet - "Gravity"
Karin Krog - "Where You At?"
Christian Wallumrød Ensemble - "Sofienberg Variations"
Håvard Wiik - "Postures"

Open class:
Anne-Lise Berntsen/Nils Asheim - "Kom Regn"
Hallvard Bjørgum & Co- "Free Field"
Motorpsycho/Jaga Jazzist Horns - "In the Fishtank"
Niko Valkeapää - "Niko Valkeapää"
When - "Pearl Harvest"

Music video:
Diaz - "Hvem er denne karen"
Folk og Røvere - "Utadæsjælåpplevelse"
Kaizers Orchestra - "Evig Pint"
Thomas Dybdahl - "Cecilia"
Bertine Zetlitz - "Girl Like You"

Best newcomer:
Julian Berntzen - "Whaffy Town"
Equicez - "State of Emergency"
Rebekka Karijord - "Neophyte"
Kurt Nilsen - "I"
Karin Park - "Superworldunknown"

Best song:
Maria Arrendondo - "In Love With An Angel"
David - "Wild At Heart"
Folk og Røvere - "Utadæsjælåpplevelse"
Lene Marlin - "You Weren’t There"
Kurt Nilsen - "She’s So High"

Go here for the rest: http://www.nrk.no/musikk/3399677.html

Fri, 02 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Webzine Aversionline is updated yet again with their usual 100+ reviews: http://www.holyterror.com/aversionline/
Featured bands listed this month include Burst, Dead in the Water, Dogpound, Elenium, Kaaos, Ulver, Wolfbrigade, Zyklon and tons more.

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

Here's some excerpts from the tracklist to that long-awaited Dead Can Dance tribute coming out next year on Black Lotus Records:

Arcana - In The Wake Of Adversity
Hortus Anime (w/Liv Kristine Espenaes from Theatre of Tragedy) - Summoning Of The Muse
The Gathering - In Power We Entrust The Love Advocated
Nightfall - The Obiguitous Mr. Lovegrove
Green Carnation - Cantara
Ulver - In The Kingdom Of The Blind The One-Eyed Are Kings
Noekk (ex-Empyrium) - How Fortunate Is The Man With None

It's gonna two discs total and there's a totally diverse roster of artists on it, including non-Scandinavian artists like Anathema, Jarboe, Amber Asylum, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Septic Flesh and more. Add another one to the list on anticipated albums coming next year...

Thu, 11 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Vendlus Records is putting out the US DVD release of the film "Lyckantropen", directed by Steve Ericsson and featuring an excellent soundtrack by Norway's Ulver. The disc features deleted scenes, a slideshow, "the sound of wolves" and a 20-minute interview with the band. View the trailer here and go to the label's newly redesigned website to order.

Also coming up from Vendlus in the near future is the US releases of the Lamented Souls album "Origins of Misery" (feat. members of Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar, Beyond Dawn, and Arcturus) and the Bomberos "Hate" CD/10" (members of Mayhem, Virus, Beyond Dawn, Aura Noir, Cadaver Inc.). Both of those releases are on license from Norway's Duplicate Records, the label run by Einar of Beyond Dawn (hence his involvement with both projects).

Wed, 24 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

DigitalMetal has posted an aptly quick review of the new Ulver EP "A Quick Fix Of Melancholy".

Wed, 17 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

News from Ulver:

"We are working dedicatedly on our next full-length release, with the Heart album as working title, replacing the utopian enterprise. Oblivion to you all."

They also recently released a new EP called "A Quick Fix of Melancholy" along with the "Svidd Neger" soundtrack album. Both are great and recommended listening.

Tue, 16 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

It took awhile, but Aversionline has finally updated with a new issue featuring an interview with Born from Pain out of Holland, around 130 new reviews including Darwin, Darkthrone, Disfear, Enslaved, Fleurety, General Surgery, Imperious, Isengard, Muskel, Skepticism, Ulver and Ved Buens Ende, plus tons more. Check it out.

Fri, 12 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

"Deathlike Silence: Norsk black metal 1993-2003" - a Norweigan essay on the past 10 years of black metal, as alerted to me by the Solefald site. Since they're much more eloquent writers than me, here's what they had to say on the paper:

On September the 5th the Norwegian review Samtiden (www.samtiden.no) published an essay by Cornelius entitled "Deathlike Silence. Norwegian Black Metal 1993-2003". The essay, unfortunately available in Norwegian only, contains memories from those first crazy years (Euronymous' "Helvete" shop), rare excerpts from the personal letters of Euronymous, and also comments on how the Norwegian media have been dealing with the genre over the last ten years. The essay has probably only little new to say to experienced Metallers; what is new is that a cultural review directed at a broader, educated public actually takes black metal seriously, both as an artform and as an ideological phenomenon. Mostly grimmer black metal bands such as Darkthrone, Satyricon, Emperor, Immortal and Mayhem are featured, as the origin and history of Norwegian black metal is the centerpoint of the essay. There is of course a lot to be written about the second generation of bands (from 1995 and onwards, roughly), acts such as Arcturus, Ulver, DHG, Borknagar, Khold, Myrkskog, and hopefully also yours truly... The title "Deathlike Silence" has rather melancholic implications, as August the 10th was the 10th anniversary of Euronymous' murder. Without the life and work of that twisted, idiosyncratic mind, Norwegian black metal would be just that, a deathlike silence. But since then, as we all known, black metal has evolved so drastically that in some cases it cannot simply be called "black" anymore, maybe "avantgarde" or "post-black" or "neo-black" or you name it (just not "Radical Designer Rock'n'Roll" [as Solefald labels themselves -ed.]).

I agree - it's definitely interesting to note the way the media has picked up the black metal phenomenon and how it's been covered throughout the years. I remember when I first heard those bands way back in the early nineties and how scary and inhuman they sounded. Strange how times have changed - Satyricon and Cradle of Filth are on majors now, for starters. Those of you like me who don't read Norweigan and are interested in learning more about the scene should definitley pick up the book "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground" by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind. It's not perfect, but it does provide for a good primer.

Mon, 08 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700

The latest Aquarius Records new release list has the great new Beyond Dawn album "Frysh" as a featured highlight, along with reviews and samples of various new Jester Records-related releases from Virus, Ulver and When - all stuff worth checking out IMO. Oh, and the usual selection of indie-rock and other stuff, too.

Wed, 13 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Black Lotus Records will be putting out a Dead Can Dance tribute album called "The Lotus Eaters" sometime in the near future. Contributors include Trail of Tears, Theatre of Tragedy, Ulver, Green Carnation, and The Gathering along with various others from outside the Nordic scene like Antimatter, Faith and the Muse and maybe Diamanda Galas.

Fri, 08 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Musique Machine has posted a review of the Merzbow remix album "Frog Remixed And Revisited" which features tracks from artists such as Ulver, When and more.