IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Iamus LP coming via HoboRec

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:44:51 -0700

HoboRec will be releasing the a new self-titled 12" from Swedish hardcore act Iamus in June. Hear some tunes at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/iamusband

The Gatheration - An illusion just to fail (video)

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:45:36 -0700

The Gatheration is a new band featuring the four brothers Blomberg, Simon and Daniel from M:40 plus Ulf of Grace.Will.Fall and Jesper who is apparently the black sheep of the family with no notable band resumé. Anyhow, they've come together with the intention of playing straightforward punkrock and, if this song's any indication, I'd say they've succeeded mightily. Look for their debut 7" on HoboRec/Halvfabrikat in May with a European tour to follow.

New video, album from Grace.Will.Fall

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:57:22 -0800

It's been over a year since Grace.Will.Fall's last album was released, but I suppose that doesn't mean they still can't make a video for a tune off it. Not that watching a hardcore band perform on a big stage with a huge audience barrier is all that exciting, but whatever, I'm not that big on the band in the first place. Anyway, look for their new all-Swedish album "Punkjävlar" to be released on February 25 via HoboRec.

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The band's follow-up to their solid "Historiens svarta vingslag" full-length tones down the metal for a more streamlined, raging d-beat hardcore attack, though they manage to retain the dark melodies that elevate them above also-ran status. On this particular EP they seem to do best when they turn down the tempo and compensate by amping up the intensity. Closer "En av dom" ("One of them") doesn't quite reach Breach-like levels of bleak desolation, nor does it match up with "My war" in terms of pure vitriolic rage ("'82 demos" FTW), but it does exemplify the approach, especially when the band gives the music proper breathing room and embraces the far reaches of their dynamic range. Unfortunately, no matter how good the songs are, it's completely ruined by the shrill audio quality. I've heard mixed things about Pirates Press/CZ in the past, but this is the first record I've heard pressed through them that lives up to the bad hype. Without any low-end, the M:40's capacity for heaviness is essentially neutered, thus capping their potential at an unfairly low level. It's hard not to be disappointed.