I encoded Kristofer Åström's performance from the Crossing Borders fest (see 12/03) into mp3s. They sound pretty darn good, too. Check it out on the right.
Cult of Luna's new album "The Beyond" will be released February 10 on Earache Records. Fans of bands such as Breach or Neurosis should take note.
Opeth has an audio feature on the New York Times website. It requires you register before listening, but it's free and a good listen. Check it.
Listen to some mp3s from Philemon Arthur & the Dung, er "and the Vic", that were done using a Commodore 64 right here.
Lars Winnerbäck is working on a new album. The tentative tile is "Söndermarken" and it should be out March 3. He's also confirmed to do some touring around Scandinavia beginning late March and I do believe that tickets will be on sale soon.
The Finnish black metal/folk band Finntroll is in the process of recording a new EP for release in the spring next year. The music is apparently more "acoustic/experimental" and they describe one of the already-completed tracks as "a bit like what happens if you crossbreed Midgårds Söner, Bal-Sagoth and Danny Elfman's various works." They go on further to say that there are "some surprises coming up, maybe some Oi!-influences and more evil and more 'disturbed' stuff." As for the search to replace their departed vocalist Katla, they added:
Whatever happens concerning the studio, one thing is for sure: Katla will take care of every single lyric and song title on the album. We are trying some new fellows, and may actually have already decided who it will be, but I can't give any proper information until we all have agreed about it. Most likely Katla won't sing in the album, and thus we have two alternatives left: Either we find a suitable, non-compromising (no second-rate trolls approved!) brutal, trollish and evil vocalist.....or then we do the screeching and roaring by all of the members left. How we do that on stage then, is another and a very good question indeed. However, most likely a new vocalist will step in."
Dan Swanö will be holding a listening party and online chat for his band Nightingale on December 8 from 6 to 8pm Eastern Time. They will be playing the entire new album "Alive Again" along with various selections from Swanö's vast ouvere. To listen go to http://www.seismicradio.com/ and click the 'listen' tab. To join the chat, either click the 'chat' button on the site or log onto IRC using server irc.forestnet.org, port 6667, room #seismic.