"If these are the last days of summer, do you sleep or stay awake?" I didn't think it was possible to have a worse summer than last year, but we did and now it's over. A last-gasp week of warmth followed by rain and that unmistakable chill that signals the beginning of the end. Even year it comes like a lion, falling almost squarely on the autumnal equinox. I actually recently loaded Seven Feet Four's classic "Departure/Arrival" album onto my mp3 player, but this selection from their final EP "To kill is easy" far more befits the changing of the season. Hard to believe it's six years old already, especially considering that hardly anyone has stepped up in their wake to strive for Swedish Noiserock perfection. That is, aside from bands featuring ex-members. Whatever, I guess I'm just getting old; time to go to sleep.
New from Tremoro Tarantura off the upcoming "Avaleeches" EP, due out late 2011/early 2012 via and featuring special guest, fellow Norwegian Noise artist Concept.Virus. Recommended!
It's a Trap! Clubnight update! First, We are the Storm's gig on September 24 has been cancelled, but don't worry -- bigger, better things will be happening for the band to come. Details shortly! Secondly, Like Rats From A Sinking Ship have been forced to cancel our October show, but again, there's no need to worry! Excellent Swedish Noiserockers Tennis Bafra will be taking their place! Third, we'll be hosting Deathcrush from Norway in November along with Danish duo Fossils as support! Awesome! Be there!
As with any recent addition to a niche subgenre, newcomers to the '60s girl group/surf rock-inspired scene are going to be compared to the movement's forerunners and inspirations. Night Minutes' debut full-length is sure to receive at least a handful of comparisons to fellow Scandinavians The Raveonettes (It's a Trap! already got that ball rolling a year ago with a review of the song "Sweetheart at the funeral" from their self-titled EP), and while these comparisons can be useful to establish an idea of the band's sound, with smaller subgenres these parallels can prove limiting -- if I'm already into The Raveonettes and Glasvegas, I may feel that I've reached my saturation point for jangly, Jesus and Mary Chain-esque indie pop and not even bother to read past the first mention of Phil Spector. Night Minutes certainly share characteristics with groups like The Raveonettes and Glasvegas, especially in the latter two's darker moments, but it is where the overlap ends that the band comes into its own. As a few critics noted with Weekend's debut "Sports", there are numerous places on "Grateful depression" where '60s pop and post-punk coalesce, somewhat unsurprising given the years band member Max J Hansson spent with prior act Cut City, and with the prominent use of electronic drums and synths one can find echoes of New Order throughout the album. And there is an edginess to "Grateful depression" that is often lacking on their contemporaries' records, moments like the end of "Purely hated" where the distorted pop shifts into a near-breakdown -- with acts like The Raveonettes, overproduction often undercuts the impact of their heavier moments, reducing walls of distortion to torrents of white Noise. While only an eight-track record, "Grateful depression" is surprisingly hard to grow weary of, and spared of weak songs it can be enjoyed in its entirety. Summer might be drawing to a close, but there's enough sun and shadow to make this offering more than just a summer record. - Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Premium Swedish Noiserockers EL-SD have officially joined forces with (Traktor) for the release of an upcoming 4-song 7" EP. No exact release date has been set yet, but they say to expect it around October and, if the rough mix samples I've heard so far are any indication, it will seriously rule all.
Fenriz has selected excellent Norwegian Noiserockers Mindy Misty as his band of the week: http://www.myspace.com/officialdarkthrone/blog/543813880
I tend to enjoy most of his picks, but this one will even appeal to non-metal folks.
The label calls this "noise-driven club music" and that's the most accurate and succinct description there is of the twisted minds of Göteborg duo Michael Andresen and Jimmy Andersson. As a debut album, "Skrammelpop" is a double-edged sword. On a positive note it demonstrates the Kat's uncompromising attitude toward sonic oblivion. On the other hand, an album full of this material highlights the shortcomings of the style that's not otherwise evident on singles, EPs or remixes. These failings fall largely under the umbrella of variety -- or lack thereof -- throughout the recording. Yes, the style is known and loved for its repetition but, with almost three quarters of an hour of the same heavily distorted drum rhythms, "Skrammelpop" can become a bit wearisome. Its redeeming qualities are to be found in the nuances of the recordings; from the underlying samples through to the controlled-yet-seemingly-erratic beats, it's a lot more complex and organized than the untrained ear might imagine. This is industrial club noise for the clinically insane. And they'll love it! Most of the rest of the population won't give this a second thought. - John Norby