IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

The Quietus talks to Årabrot

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:36:25 -0700

The Quietus talks to Årabrot frontman Kjetil Nernes about the band's new EP "Mæsscr": http://thequietus.com/articles/09864-interview-arabrot-kjetil-nernes-maesscr

MP3: Årabrot - The honour of silence

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:48:45 -0700

Without getting into their politics¹, I have to say that I just don't like Death in June. But I do like hearing people cover them. They are just one of those rare acts whose works are almost always improved upon by others and Årabrot's take on "The honour of silence" adds a crucial, austere heaviness that the original lacks. They take it a step further too, adding a 7-minute reprisal on the end of their new EP "Mæsscr", stretching it out into an endless parade of droning drums and wordless refrains. Go see them in UK next week, I'm sure it'll be killer:

08/25 – - Fat Out Fest, Manchester
08/26 - The Shakespear, Sheffield
08/28 - Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester
08/29 - The Black Heart, London

¹ see this blog for a detailed examination of DiJ's fascist/fence-sitting tendencies, along with many other neofolk/noise/black metal/provocateur artists

Mæsscr preview

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:57:33 -0700

The Quietus is offering up a preview of Årabrot's excellent new EP "Mæsscr": http://thequietus.com/articles/09505-new-arabrot-maesscr-fysisk-format-releases
Årabrot is a rare example of an act in a somewhat limiting genre (noiserock) who continues to reinvent and expand their already impressive sound. No long do they sound like _____ or _____, they only sound like Årabrot.

Pitchfork at Øya

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:24:24 -0700

Pitchfork went to Øya and went on the black metal sightseeing tour and also managed to catch locals Disaster in the Universe, who they graciously dubbed "The worst band in Norway (and, possibly, the entire world)": http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/8916-ya/
They also made an effort to catch at least some other Norwegian acts, singling out Susanne Sundfør, Highasakite, Pow Pow, Young Dreams and Årabrot as standouts.

New Årabrot tourdates for April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:33:28 -0700

Årabrot will be doing a few European dates in April:

04/09 - Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin (GER)
04/10 - Feierwerk / Orange House, Munich (GER)
04/12 - Arena, Vienna (AUS)
04/13 - Orto Bar, Ljubljana (SLO)
04/14 - XM24, Bologna (ITA)

Årabrot - Solaranus (video)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:05:56 -0800

Brand new visual stimulation from Norwegian miscreants Årabrot as directed by Fredrik Hana (Haust, Kvelertak and Shining). Don't miss the band on tour in the UK right now.

New tunes from Fysisk Format

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:20:02 -0800

Fysisk Format has posted the Årabrot cut "300nights", the exclusive b-side from the now OOP "Madonna was a whore" 7", for streaming at SoundCloud.

In other news, they're also streaming a song from Do You Love Melena?, a new band featuring members from Rumble in Rhodos and Pow Pow:

2011 Spellemann winners

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:02:00 -0800

The winners of the 2011 Spellemannprisen, the Norwegian Grammy, were announced over the weekend:

2011 Spellemann: Bernhoft - "Solidarity Breaks"
Female artist: Ane Brun - "It All Starts With One"
Male Artist: Bernhoft - "Solidarity Breaks"
Pop Group: Team Me - "To The Treetops!"
Rock: Honningbarna - "La Alarmane Gå"
Metal: Årabrot - "Solar Anus"
Electronica: Biosphere - "N-Plants"
Hip-hop: Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Folk/Traditional: Ragnhild Furebotten - "Never On A Sunday"
Jazz: Ola Kvernberg - "Liarbird"
Open Class: Bárut/Inga Juuso - "Balggis"
Lyrics: Lars Vaular - "Du Betyr Meg"
Composer: Rolf Wallin/Lundeng/Torjesen/Bodø Symfonietta/Eggen - "Wire And String"
Newcomer/Gramostipend: Jonas Alaska - "Jonas Alaska"
Music Video: Envy - One Song
2011 Hit: Plumbo - Møkkamann

Årabrot on tour

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:11:40 -0800

Norwegian sludgerockers Årabrot will be hitting the road once more in February:

02/13 - Sonic Ballroom, Cologne (GER)
02/14 - Zorro, Leipzig (GER)
02/15 - Scheune, Dresden (GER)
02/16 - Hirscheneck, Basel (CH)
02/17 - Kapu, Linz (AUS)
02/18 - Sentrum Scene, Oslo (NOR) w/Mayhem
02/20 - Glockenbachwerkstatt, Munich (GER)
02/22 - Stag and Hounds, Bristol (UK)
02/24 - The Unicorn, London (UK)
02/25 - Islington Mill, Manchester (UK)
02/26 - Bannermans, Edinburgh (UK)
02/27 - 13th Note, Glasgow (UK)
02/28 - Royal Park Cellars, Leeds (UK)

Top 10s for 2011: It's a Trap!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

The prospect of whittling down my list of 2011 favorites to a standard top 10 or even 20 just didn't seem quite so appropriate this year so I've opted instead to break up my selections into a few compartmentalized and highly subjective niches. When I reflect back on the year just passed, this is the method that makes the most sense to me, and besides, music is not a contest and many of these records simply cannot withstand side-by-side scrutiny. Hopefully you'll agree, but if not, there's always the comments section.

BEST ROCK/POP

For lack of a better signifier, here are a few of my favorite releases that don't fit neatly into a clever subgenre.

Peter Bjorn and John - Gimme some
I feel bad for everyone who can't move beyond "Young folks". PB&J has always been and continues to be a fantastic powerpop band and their latest album might just be their best.

Penny Century - Friends and family
A grower, not a shower. I found myself returning to this record time and time again, discovering new things to appreciate almost every time. A deeply nuanced work masquerading as sweet indiepop.

Cut City - Where's the harm in dreams disarmed?
A fitting swan song that their final release should be a perfect encapsulation of modern goth/pop/postpunk.

Kaka - The two
Brilliant, addictive and secretly subversive once you start digging into the lyrics.

BEST SCENE: Black Hole Crew/Nekromantik Norway

Excellence in consistency, consisently excellent. While no one release blew me away quite like Okkultokrati's "No light for mass" or Haust's debut LP "Ride the relapse", the Oslo horde has been regularly churning out some of the finest punk/metal/hardcore in the world today.

Key selections:
Dark Times - s/t CS
Årabrot - Solar anus
Årabrot/Okkultokrati - split 12"
Okkultokrati - Ingen veit alt 7"
Okkultokrati/Haust - Black Hole X-mas 7"
Problems - 2011 CS

ALSO SEE: Hubro & HOOB Records

Allow me to step outside my confort zone a moment to also recommend to you the not-exactly jazz labels Hubro and HOOB Records, based in Norway and Sweden respectively. Both are delivering an amazing array of excellent genre-breaking music and, while I may not be intimately familiar with the circles they travel in, I can confidently say that almost every single release they've put out is well worth investigating.

Key selections:
The Splendour - Delphian palace
Thus:Owls - Harbours
Splashgirl - Pressure
Huntsville - For flowers, cars and merry wars
1982 - Pintura

BEST INSTRUMENTAL/SOUNDTRACK

Matti Bye & Mattias Olsson - Elephant and castle
Wheezing vintage organs and the clatter of clever percussion combine to create one of the most satisfying and creepy albums of the year.

BEST METAL

Execration - Odes of the occult
Much in the same way that Obliteration's "Nekropsalms" stood head and shoulders above the rest back in 2009, Execration's "Odes of the occult" expands on the same template established by their countrymates and adds a hefty does of epic doom to their filthy death metal, thus easily enabling them to (ahem) obliterate the competition.

ALSO SEE:
Dödsvarg - Livet är en dödsorsak
Mr. Death - Descending through ashes
Rising - To solemn ash

BEST EPs

2011 was an amazing year for EPs and many of these titles I have listed make up my absolute favorite releases of the year.

Grande Roses - Hide
Hands down, the best rock record of the year. Vital and passionate in an era when so many feign indifference or hide behind irony, no one else comes close.

Kite - IV
Even if you think that they'll never write another song as good as "Ways to dance", or even if you think they already did, Kite has never had a 100% fully satisfying release until this. Five songs, all synthpop anthems.

The Psyke Project - Ebola
As said before, forget the other half of this split -- it doesn't exist as far as I'm concerned. The Psyke Project is brutality personified; every time you think they couldn't get any heavier, they do.

In These Woods - s/t
Technically a late 2010 release, but who is really paying attention to anything new in late December? Classic Swedish indie guitar-rock is saved from extinction yet again.

Alouatta - DIY
Melodic mid-tempo punk played by dudes who are old enough to know better, but also old enough to do it just right.

FOREIGN JUNK

Not appropriate to waste words on these here, in this forum, but these records are all excellent and well worth checking out:
Austra - Feel it break
Charles Bradley - No time for dreaming
The Devil's Blood - The thousandfold epicentre
Royal Headache - s/t

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

---------------------------
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!"

Årabrot and The Skull Defekts in The Quietus top 50

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:27:35 -0800

Årabrot and The Skull Defekts both rank on The Quietus' top 50 albums of 2011 list: http://thequietus.com/articles/07520-quietus-albums-of-the-year-2011

Listed: Årabrot, more

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:42:19 -0800

Årabrot is one of the guests for this week's "Listed" feature at Dusted: http://dustedmagazine.com/features/1003
Also posted over there today, a review of Finnish electronic artist Keränen's new album "Moon over Torrelorca": http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6757

Årabrot - The money will roll right in

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:06:29 -0700

Årabrot covering Fang, a combination that sounds just about as perfect as you might imagine.

Core Values #1: Ugly Fucking Norway

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:06:13 -0700

Invisible Oranges is hosting a mixtape of Norwegian metal and hardcore consisting primarily of tunes culled from the catalog of the mighty Black Hole Crew, aka Haust/Okkultokrati/Dark Times/Årabrot/etc.: http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2011/11/mixtape-core-values-1/
Obviously regular IAT! readers should already be well aware of these bands because they are the shit, but if not- this is a decent place to start.

Årabrot at The Quietus: interview and mixtape

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:46:53 -0700

The Quietus has posted a new long and extensive interview with Norwegian noiserockers Årabrot along with a mix put together by the dudes in the band: http://thequietus.com/articles/07242-arabrot-interview-solar-anus

99 Minutes #17

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:53:50 -0700

Listen to Norway has posted a new episode of their 99 Minutes podcast series: http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2011102511315112811169
Featured artists this time include Karpe Diem, Jaga Jazzist, Harry's Gym, Splashgirl, Årabrot, Hedvig Mollestad Trio, Martin Hagfors, Ungdomskulen, The Little Hands of Asphalt, Enslaved and lots more.

Årabrot's Black Impulse mix

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:41:37 -0700

Check out a mix made by the dudes in Årabrot: http://blackimpulse.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/black-impulse-mix-tape-17-arabrot/
None of the artists contained therein are Scandinavian, but that doesn't mean it isn't quality.

Årabrot back in the UK

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:56:59 -0700

Årabrot will be supporting Dethscalator for a string of UK dates in late October:

10/27 - Undertone, Cardiff
10/28 - Mello Mello, Liverpool
10/29 - Night and Day, Manchester
10/30 - Fishtank, Durham
10/31 - Shacklewell Arms, London (Quietus Halloween Party)

Louder than War interviews Årabrot

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:10:20 -0700

Louder than War interviews Norwegian sludgerockers Årabrot about their new record "Solar anus": http://louderthanwar.com/blogs/arabrot-norwegian-noisenik-action-from-intense-duo

Drowned in Sound reviews Årabrot

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:37:14 -0700

Drowned in Sound is super stoked on the new Årabrot album "Solar anus": http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16487/reviews/4143516

Årabrot - Odine

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:13:00 -0700

"Odine", the second and supposedly final single from Årabrot's new album "Solar anus", due out Septmeber 9 via Fysisk Format. If you like your music heavy and mean, you need this.

New Årabrot 7" on the way

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:59:58 -0700

Årabrot will be releasing the new 7" "Madonna was a whore" b/w "300 nights" this week via Norway Rat Records as a precursor to their next album "Solar anus", which is due out September 9 via Fysisk Format.

Årabrot - Madonna was a whore

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:03:04 -0700

Norwegian sludge-rock masters Årabrot have confirmed that their new Steve Albini-recorded album "Solar anus" is done and will be released on September 9 via Fysisk Format. "Madonna was a whore" is the first sample.

This is Music Inc. - Saturday night on the dole

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:29:39 -0700

The mysterious and reclusive Norwegian act This is Music Inc. is supposedly the "megalomaniac" solo project Årabrot's ex-bassist Jon Øvstedal, though my understanding is that many other folks contribute to the recording. Anyhow, "Saturday night on the dole" is the first single off their forthcoming album "Krasnapolis", their first new release in many years I believe, which is due out July 1 via Fysisk Format.

Årabrot/Okkultokrati split on the way

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:58:08 -0700

Årabrot and Okkultokrati, two of Norway's heaviest and darkest acts, will be teaming up for a split 12" to be released on July 1 via Fysisk Format. Full details here: http://okkultokrati.blogspot.com/2011/05/okkultokratiarabrot-split-12.html
If you happen to be near Oslo, there will be a record release show at Blå on June 25 which also happens to be the releasefest for Next Life's new LP as well.

MP3: Årabrot - The most sophisticated form of revenge

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:57:21 -0700

I have been remiss in never officially posting an Årabrot track, so here's a little something from their latest (and possibly greatest) album "Revenge". On days like today when my dayjob feels like it is suffocating me and the world outside is cold, grey and wet, few things feel better than this sort of mid-tempo ugliness, a sound that only becomes more appealing as I get older. As for the subject of revenge, I'm a big proponent of the method of success.

Årabrot back in the US, recording with Albini

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:26:02 -0800

Årabrot are coming over for SXSW and will be doing a number of other dates as they work their way back to Chicago to record a new album with Steve Albini:

03/17 - Barbarella Patio (SXSW Nanotear Showcase), Austin, TX
03/18 - Dave's Skate Park, Texarkana, AR
03/19 - Dalzell, Shreveport, LA
03/20 - Hi-Tone Cafe, Memphis, TN
03/22 - Caledonia Lounge, Athens, GA
03/24 - Lunchbox Records, Charlotte, NC
03/25 - Kings Barcade, Raleigh, NC
03/27 - Acheron, Brooklyn, NY
03/28 - O'Briens, Boston, MA
03/29 - Daniel St, Milford, CT
03/30 - Machines With Magnets, Pawtucket, RI
03/31 - Geno's, Portland, ME
04/02 - Hard Luck Bar, Toronto, ON
04/03 - Mac's, Lansing, MI
04/04 - Empty Bottle , Chicago, IL

The Quietus investigates Necromantic Norway

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:38:06 -0800

The Quietus interviews Årabrot and Haust, two members of Norway's Black Hole Crew, ahead of the former's Ja Ja Ja gig in London tomorrow: http://thequietus.com/articles/05737-rabrot-interview-haust-necromantic-rock-norway
Featured above: Okkultokrati, the third part of the triad that makes up the so-called "Necromantic Norway" scene and still by far my favorite of the bunch.

The Guardian vs the Black Hole Crew

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:27:15 -0800

The Guardian reports the new scene of necromantic noise coming out of Norway: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/feb/02/necromantic-rock-metal-norway
Of course, regular readers should already be well aware that they are talking about Haust, Okkultokrati and Årabrot, three of Norway's best. No idea what those commenters are thinking praising Turbonegro over these dudes as if the last 15 years didn't happen, but whatever. Remain ignorant and enjoy Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult.

Ja Ja Ja February: Kellermensch, Årabrot, Deathcrush

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:51:31 -0800

London-based Scandinavian music showcase Ja Ja Ja has announced that their next gig on February 24 will include the actually quite promisingly solid lineup of Kellermensch, Årabrot and Deathcrush as curated by The Quietus and The Stool Pigeon. Read more: http://www.jajajamusic.com/news.php?id=56

Årabrot - The most sophisticated form of revenge

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:58:12 -0800

MetalSucks has the "exclusive" premiere of a track from Årabrot off their latest album "Revenge": http://www.metalsucks.net/2011/01/28/exclusive-premiere-arabrot-the-most-sophisticated-form-of-revenge/
Apparently the album is now is now available for a decent domestic price in the US: http://stickfig1.securesites.net/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=1352

Haunting the Chapel: Årabrot

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:12:40 -0800

Stereogum talks up Norwegian sludge act Årabrot: http://stereogum.com/584521/arabrot-interim-me/franchises/haunting-the-chapel/

Six questions with Årabrot

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:38:02 -0700

CMU Daily interviews Norwegian noiserockers Årabrot: http://www.thecmuwebsite.com/htmldaily/101019.html

Årabrot tour Europe

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:55:30 -0700

European tourdates for Norwegian sludgerockers Årabrot:

10/19 - The Adelphi, Hull (UK)
10/20 - The Others, London (UK)
10/21 - SWN festival, Cardiff (UK)
10/23 - tba, Toulouse (FRA)
10/24 - L'inventaire, Le Mans (FRA)
10/25 - Bitche, Nantes (FRA)
10/26 - Dynamo Werk21, Zürich (CH)
10/27 - Feierwerk Kranhalle, München (GER)
10/28 - P.M.K, Innsbruck (AUS)
10/29 - Torkiera, Milan (ITA)
10/30 - Spazio 211, Torino, Piemonte (ITA)
10/31 - Grottarossa, Rimini (ITA)
11/01 - tba, Genova (ITA)
11/02 - Klub Gromka, Ljubljana (SLV)
11/04 - Fluc, Vienna (AUS)
11/05 - Teenitus Festival, Erfurt (GER)

Nö Music bears witness to the new necromantics

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:55:15 -0700

Nö Music has posted an excellent lengthy review of seeing the unholy trinity of Okkultokrati, Haust and Årabrot live: http://www.nomusicmedia.com/2010/09/18/the-new-necromantics/

New Årabrot tunes, new UK tourdates

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:44:48 -0700

The Quietus has new sample tunes from Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot plus news that they'll be playing two UK shows in October: http://thequietus.com/articles/04856-news-arabrot-confirm-two-uk-shows-plus-hear-new-tracks

Sirius playlist week #30

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:46:56 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU, all metal/punk to coincide with the new podcast:

01. TALK 1
02. Waklevören - Attakk
03. Eskatol - Fane av løgner
04. Årabrot - End of the world / Revelations
05. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Positivt tankande
06. TALK 2
07. Grave - Liberation
08. Obliteration - Exterminate
09. Liket Lever - Levande begravd
10. Knugen Faller - Jag vill inte vara med
11. TALK 3
12. Haust - Anti-reproductive
13. Underachiever - Cut a smile
14. Pointless Youth - Damaged head
15. Wolfbrigade - In adrenaline
16. Darkthrone - I am the graves of the 80s
17. TALK 4
18. Nekromantheon - We're rotting
19. Slugathor - The smoke
20. Tyrant - I'll burn that bridge (before you can cross it)
21. TALK 5
22. Bitch Boys - Automobile
23. Mögel - Jag är så rädd
24. Okkultokrati - On mouth of hells
25. Victims - Another way to die
26. Nitad - Stockholmsnatt
27. TALK 6

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

Podcast: Nekromantik Norway

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:18:13 -0700

Not all of these tracks are from recent releases, but together they do make up the majority of my current listening rotation. Dig in, get dirty.

DATE ADDED : 07/25/10
LENGTH : 40:29 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_07252010.mp3 (55.6mb)

Tracklist:
01. Haust - Anti-reproductive
02. Darkthrone - I am the graves of the 80s
03. Eskatol - Fane av løgner
04. Årabrot - Dead to me / Aficionado
05. Okkultokrati - Tomb city rockers - Pungent state
06. Obliteration - Exterminate
07. Waklevören - Oslo spy
08. Nekromantheon - We're rotting
09. Eskatol - Siste dans
10. Darkthrone - Circle the wagons
11. Obliteration - Ingesting death
12. Okkultokrati - On mouth of hells
13. Haust - Pointing and laughing
14. Waklevören - Attakk

99 minutes #1

Mon, 17 May 2010 21:38:21 -0700

MIC Norway has launched a new feature called "99 minutes" featuring a 99-minute podcast from DJ 99 with new music from bands such as Datarock, Fjorden Baby!, Serena Maneesh, Årabrot and Diskjokke plus an interview with Martin Horntvedt of Jaga Jazzist and more. Go here: http://listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2010051111383357144426

Sirius playlist week #20

Mon, 17 May 2010 11:29:53 -0700

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

01. Enforcer - High roller
02. TALK 1
03. Robyn - Dancing on my own
04. The Amazing - And it looks like today
05. Årabrot - End of first chant: II
06. TALK 2
07. The Bombettes - Cherry shot
08. Underachiever - No rain (arson)
09. Lapko - Kiss 'n' cry
10. TALK 3
11. The Howard Way - Runaway
12. Familjen - Socker
13. Deathchain - The crawling chaos
14. Lågkonjunkturen - Den här låten handlar om...
15. TALK 4
16. Anna von Hausswolff - Track of time
17. Marit Bergman - Free falling
18. Jennie Abrahamson - I lost my heart
19. TALK 5
20. Menfolk - Rubato (con song)

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

Årabrot - End of first chant II

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:45:39 -0700

Fysisk Format is giving away the new Årabrot single "End of first chant II" as a free download: http://diger.tigernet.no/DINGEL/ENDOFFIRSTCHANT2/End_of_First_Chant_%20II.mp3

Årabrot - End of first chant II (video)

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:18:55 -0700

This is the video for "End of first chant II", the first single from Årabrot's forthcoming album "Revenge", due out September 13 via Fysisk Format.

Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa_N-ngUN-k

Årabrot lines up UK release

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:54:04 -0800

Årabrot's album "The brotherseed" will receive a proper UK release on March 15 via Norway Rat.

2009 Spellemannprisen nominees

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:53:16 -0800

The nominees for the 2009 Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian Grammy) have been announced:

Female Artist:
Ane Brun - Live At Stockholm Concert Hall (Det Er Mine, Balloon Ranger Recordings)
Hanne Hukkelberg - Blood From A Stone (Propeller Recordings)
Julie Dahle Aagård - Stompin' Feet (Sweet Morning Records)
Noora Noor - Soul Deep (Blue Mood)

Male Artist:
Alexander Rybak - Fairytales (EMI Music Norway)
Martin Hagfors - Men and flies (ME Records)
Sivert Höyem - Moon Landing (Hektor Grammofon)
Sondre Lerche - Heartbeat Radio (Rounder Records/Decca Records/Universal Music)

Pop Group:
Datarock - Red (VME/Yap Records)
Donkeyboy - Caught In A Life (Warner Music Norway)
Kings Of Convenience - Declaration Of Dependence (Virgin/EMI Music Norway)
Kråkesølv - Trådnøsting (Diger)
Montée - Isle Of Now (VME)

Electronica:
Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - 2 (Eskimo Recordings/VME)
Mungolian Jetset - We Gave It All Away (Smalltown Supersound/VME)
Röyksopp - Junior (Virgin/EMI Music Norway)
Vinter In Hollywood - Outbreak (MTG/Vulcano Records)

Rock:
DumDum Boys - Tidsmaskin (oh Yeah!/EMI Music Norway)
Heroes & Zeros - Simian Vices Modern Devices (Nightliner/Sonet/Universal Music)
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - For Sant Til Å Være Godt (VME)
Motorpsycho - Child Of The Future (Rune Grammofon)
Skambankt - Hardt Regn (Tuba Records)

Metal:
Code - Resplendent Grotesque (Tabu Recordings)
Immortal - All Shall Fall (Dunder Records)
The Cumshots - A Life Less Necessary (Rodeostar)
Årabrot - The Brother Seed (Norway Rat Recordings)

Hip-hop:
Chris Lee - Love Ghost (Oslo Records/Bonnier Amigo Music)
Lars Vaular - D'e Glede (VME)
Tommy Tee - Studio Time (Bonnier Amigo Music)

Jazz:
Håvard Stubø Quartet - Way Up (Bolage)
Kim Johannesen/Svein Magnus Furu/Tore Sandbakken - Kayak (Aimsoundcity)
Nils-Petter Molvær - Hamada (Emarcy/Universal Music)
Solveig Slettahjell - Tarpan Seasons (SloMO/Universal Music)
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble - Restored, Returned (ECM)

Open Class:
Crimetime Orchestra - Atomic Symphony (Jazzaway Records)
Kristin Asbjørnsen - The Night Shines Like The Day (Emarcy/Universal Music)
Knut Reiersrud - Gitar (Jazzland Recordings/Universal Music)
Mari Boine - Sterna Paradisea (Lean/Universal Music/Emarcy)
When - Homage Series Vol.1: Sun Ra (Jester)

Lyrics:
Anne Grete Preus - Nesten Alene (Warner Music Norway)
Kjartan Kristiansen/Aslak Dørum - DumDum Boys; Tidsmaskin (EMI Music Norway)
Stein Torleif Bjella - Heidersmenn (EMI Music Norway)
Sverre Knudsen - La Det Brenne (Ohyeah!)
Tønes - Sobihob (VME)

Best Newcomer:
Alexander Rybak
Donkeyboy
John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen
Kråkesølv
Vilde Frang

More here: http://spellemann.no/

Presenting: Starving Artist Kokebok

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:46:26 -0800

A group of Oslo-based artist expats (2 Australians, 1 Canadian) have put together something called the "Starving Artist Kokebok", or "cookbook" for the Norwegian-impaired, a book and CD package featuring artwork, stories and of course recipes from 37 fellow Oslo-based bands, artists and journalists. Also included is a 19-track CD:

01. Simon Says No! - Sleeping Heart
02. Death is Not Glamorous - Clear Lines
03. Lionheart Brothers - Bring it Down (Kokebok Edit)
04. Maribel - Soothe
05. Pica Pica - The Man with the Magic Hands
06. CCTV - We Belong (Radio Edit)
07. Einar Stray - Arrows
08. Pilemil - Ghost
09. Hiawata! - Valley Boys
10. Happy Dagger - 2012
11. Manhattan Skyline - The Below
12. Spirits of the Dead - White Lady Black Rave
13. Årabrot - The Minute
14. The Bee's Niece - Stolen Bike
15. Norma Sass - Japan
16. The Loch Ness Mouse feat. Stella Mwangi - New Graffiti (Single Edit)
17. Center of the Universe - Sing it Again
18. Rosix Noir - Binden Sie Meine Hnde (Remix)
19. The White Tiger Prepade - Powerful fast forward knowledge pushing scared inprinted gem stones levitating by seemingly apathic sound movement reactions

Other contributors include Benea Reach, Haust, Je Suis Animal, Lydia Laska, My Little Pony, Silver and lots more. There will be a release party on November 18 at Rubber Soul featuring an exhibition of the original artworks followed by a show at Revolver later in the evening. More info: http://starvingartistkokebok.blogspot.com/

Norway at CMJ 09

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:22:19 -0700

Here's a rundown of the various Norwegian acts playing CMJ in NYC: http://www.musicexportnorway.no/norway-at-cmj-09.4641698-32166.html
I'd like to go see Årabrot, but I highly doubt I'll make it.

MP3: Rising - Dead kings

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:53:28 -0700

Indie/hardcore dudes attempting to play metal is a dicey proposition, hence me approaching Danish act Rising with extreme caution, especially considering the "true fucking metal" banner they fly on myspace. However, in their favor I will concede they have a legit metal brother in guitarist Jacob Krogholt (ex-Withering Surface), but is he enough to offset the potential poseurtude of drummer Martin Niemann (Marvins Revolt) and bassist/vocalist Henrik Hald (Trust)? Or maybe those dudes are just slumming it with their other bands, finally able to let loose their inner-hessian with Rising? It's not an unreasonable question because I must concede that yes, they do successfully bring the heavy. Rising leans a bit towards the angular sludge of Unsane or Årabrot more than, say, the true metal glory of Manowar, but that's not such an awful digression IMO. If you're still in doubt, just wait for the solo section on this track and your opinion might be swayed. And really, I'd much rather hear a band like this than any 4th-rate thrash revival, even if it isn't exactly denim-vest and bullet-belt material or the truest of true. It's heavy and I like it, that's enough.

Årabrot back to the studio

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:24:28 -0700

Norwegian sludgerockers Årabrot will be going back into the studio with Billy Anderson in September to record a new album.

Fysisk Format to release 2LP from Nernes/Skagen, more

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:44:32 -0700

Coming on September 7 via Fysisk Format: Nernes/Skagen - Ad Undas 2LP. Full details (in Norwegian) are here: http://fysiskformat.tigernet.no/?cmd=16
Also on the way from the label this fall:

10/05 - Dominic - Nord
10/19 - Årabrot - I rove
11/16 - Haust - tba

New Årabrot gets release date

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:41:52 -0800

Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot confirm that their new Steve Albini-engineered record "The brother seed" will be out on March 9.

Årabrot in the US

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:26:03 -0800

Norwegian sludgerockers Årabrot are starting to confirm US dates:

03/18 - Spiros (SXSW), Austin, TX
03/22 - need help
03/25 - Death By Audio, NYC, NY w/USA is a Monster
03/26 - Middle East Club, Cambridge, MA w/Ehnahre (ex-Kayo Dot)
03/28 - Bagel Czar, Richmond, VA w/Gangland Buries Its Own

New music from Årabrot

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:26:55 -0800

Norwegian sludgerockers Årabrot are streaming a new track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/arabrot
The band's new Steve Albini-recorded album "The brother seed" will be released soon via Norway Rat Records. Also keep an eye out for US dates around SXSW - the band will be touring with Scully and The USA Is A Monster.

SXSW showcase update

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:48:33 -0800

Here's the latest list of Scandinavian acts officially confirmed for SXSW:

Årabrot (NOR)
Baskery (SWE)
Benny Crespo's Gang (ICE)
Blood Red Throne (NOR)
Bloodgroup (ICE)
Casiokids (NOR)
Dmitry Fyodorov (SWE)
Grande (NOR)
Adam Heldring (SWE)
Jaakko & Jay (FIN)
Kaka (SWE)
Kakkmaddafakka (NOR)
The Latebirds (FIN)
Love:Fi (NOR)
Mixtapes & Cellmates (SWE)
Peter Bjorn and John (SWE)
Kristofer Ragnstam (SWE)
Sprengjuhollin (ICE)
Steed Lord (ICE)
Steso Songs (SWE)
The Shitsez (NOR)
The Tallest Man On Earth (SWE)
Sofia Talvik (SWE)
Those Dancing Days (SWE)
The Tiny (SWE)
Wildbirds & Peacedrums (SWE)

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:08:17 -0800

Årabrot are an early confirmation for next year's SXSW festival in Austin, TX.

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:24:15 -0700

Upcoming Årabrot tourdates in November:

11/05 - Rote Flora, Hamburg (GER)
11/07 - Vortex Club, Siegen (GER) w/Murder Junkies
11/08 - La Zone, Liege (BEL) w/Birushanah
11/09 - Hokaben Festival, London (UK) w/Sun Ra Arkestra
11/10 - le Happy Days, Le Mans (FRA)
11/11 - El Inca, Bordeuax (FRA)
11/12 - Caravan Serail, Toulouse (FRA) w/Habsyll
11/13 - Chiodo Fisso Music Pub, Venezia (ITA)
11/14 - Lucrezia, Genoa (ITA)
11/15 - Cascina Torchiera / TRoK, Milano (ITA)
11/16 - Kunstkeller, Fürth (GER)
11/18 - JetClub, Prague (CZ)
11/27 - Gamle Slakthuset U-18, Haugesund (NOR)
11/28 - Landmark, Bergen (NOR)
11/29 - Gunfest @ Skur 40, Oslo (NOR) w/Nachtmystium

The date on the 28th is the release party for the new Årabrot/[concept.virus] "Absolutenegativism" EP. Read more about the project here: http://tabaskoartists.com/index.php?/promotions/absolutenegativism-project/

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:29:12 -0700

Norway Rat (Årabrot, Noxagt) has signed punk-rockers Lydia Laska and will be releasing the new 7" "Could I have a go on your girl, please?" b/w "Mandy", a new version of the old track from their "We're nothing compared to ourselves" EP. Guests on the a-side include Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh) on guitar and Sissy Wish on backing vocals. Expect it sometime in November. The band is also working on a new full-length with an eye for a February release.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:37:36 -0700

Check out Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot and their new video for "Fumble finger": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2q8JdHH8Q4

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:51:48 -0700

Norwegian noise duo Nernes/Skagen (ft. members from Ryfylke and Årabrot) are touring the US as support for Insect With Tits:

06/24 - Velvet Lounge, Washington DC
06/25 - Scary Studios, Baltimore, MD
06/26 - Adventure Island, Philadelphia, PA
06/27 - tba, New York City, NY
06/28 - Lowell Noise Fest, Lowell, Massachusetts
06/29 - Cagibi, Montreal, Quebec
06/30 - Vintage Records & Tapes, Toronto, Quebec
07/01 - Potential Life Studios, Rochester, NY
07/02 - Bela Dubby, Cleveland, OH
07/03 - tba, Chicago, IL
07/04 - 517noise 4th of July Show, Lansing, MI
07/05 - Muscle Beach, Allentown, PA
07/06 - Garfield Artworks (3pm matinee), Pittsburgh, PA
07/07 - The Bridge, Charlottesville, VA

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:34:03 -0700

Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot will travel to Chicago this summer to record a new album with legendary audio engineer Steve Albini.

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Norway Rat reports that the new Årabrot 7" "HGSD" is just about ready for release. Listen to the b-side at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/arabrot (track #4)
In other news, the debut album "Marionette you are mine" from hardcore act Kambodsja will be out on August 27. Listen to samples from that one here: http://www.myspace.com/kambodsja

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Today's Single File at Paper Thin Walls is all about Norway: http://www.paperthinwalls.com/
Artists featured include Shining, Årabrot, In the Country, Lionheart Brothers and Benea Reach.

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

Norwegian noiserockers Årabrot will be teaming up with electronic noise artist Ryfylke on a new EP to be entitled "Absolutenegativism". No word on a release date, but that's sounds like a great collaboration to me.

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot will be hitting the road to support the release of their new album "Rep rep":

09/22 - Truckstop Alaska, Göteborg (SWE)
09/23 - Aktivitetshuset, Malmö (SWE)
09/25 - Gieszerstr. 16 , Leipzig (GER)
09/26 - tba, Jena (GER)
09/27 - tba, Leipzig (GER)
09/28 - tba, Potsdam (GER)
09/29 - tba, Siegen (GER)
09/30 - Kino la bim, Halle (GER)
10/06 - The Adelphi Club, Hull (UK)
10/10 - Old Angel, Nottingham (UK)
10/12 - The Croft, Bristol (UK) w/Geisha
10/13 - Star & Garter, Manchester (UK)
10/14 - The Umpire, London (UK)
10/19 - Cricketers Arms, Sheffield (UK)

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot have completed work on their new album "Rep Rep", once again working with producer/engineer Billy Anderson. Look for it to be released this fall.

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot will record a new full-length album at the end of May with producer/engineer Billy Anderson at Athletic Studios in Halden.

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Updated tourdates for Norwegian sludge-rockers Årabrot:

02/13 - Café Unplugged, Berlin (GER)
02/14 - Café Wagner, Jena (GER)
02/15 - Tommy Haus, Berlin (GER)
02/16 - La bim Kino, Halle (GER)
02/17 - Atomino, Chemnitz (GER)
02/28 - The Adelphi Club, Hull (UK)
03/01 - Bull & Gate, London (UK)
03/02 - The King Alfred, Southampton (UK)
03/03 - The Jailhouse, Coventry (UK)
03/04 - Horn & Hand, Nottingham (UK)
03/05 - TBA, Sheffield (UK)
03/06 - The Fenton, Leeds (UK)
03/09 - Hulen, Bergen (NOR)
03/10 - Tribute, Sandnes (NOR)

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

New tourdates for Årabrot:

01/14 - Samfunnet, Trondheim (NOR)
02/09 - Bylarm, Tromso (NOR)
02/10 - Bylarm, Tromso (NOR)
02/11 - Bylarm, Tromso (NOR)
02/13 - tba, Berlin (GER)
02/14 - Café Wagner, Jena (GER)
02/15 - Tommy Haus, Berlin (GER)
02/16 - La bim Kino, Halle (GER)
02/17 - Atomino, Chemnitz (GER)
02/18 - tba, Vienna (AUS)
03/28 - tba, Hull (UK)
03/01 - Upstairs Garage, London (UK)
03/02 - tba, Bristol (UK)
03/03 - The Jailhouse, Coventry (UK)
03/04 - The Cabaret, Nottingham (UK)
03/05 - Faversham, Leeds (UK)
03/06 - tba, Lancaster or Manchester (UK)
03/09 - Hulen, Bergen (NOR)
03/10 - Tribute, Sandnes (NOR)

More European dates for late February coming soon.

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

Splendid reviews Norwegian sludgle-rockers Årabrot: http://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1127731287381685

Wed, 11 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Download the track "Scagcat" from Arabrot: http://www.thisismusicinc.com/arabrot/lyd/jesus/Scagcat.mp3
The track comes from the band's new album "Proposing a pact with Jesus", out now on Norway Rat Records. The record was produced by Billy Anderson and, as his involvement often implies, is some serious sludge-rocking stuff. I dig it.

Fri, 12 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Norway's Årabrot reports that they are now done with recording their debut album. The famed Billy Anderson (High on Fire, Mr. Bungle. etc.) engineered and Emil Nicholaisen helped out as well. It won't be out until sometime next year, but here's the tracklist:

01. Rollocaust
02. Maladies
03. Liaison Summer
04. Scagcat
05. Worms
06. 2 AM Seduction
07. Totschläger