Should have posted this days ago, but it got lost in the shuffle. Raw metal/punk from Sweden released on cassette, just as it should be. Look for a split 7" with fellow crust-metallers Bombs of Hades in the near future.

New music from Dinner aka Danish artist/producer Anders Rhedin, probably best known for his work behind the scenes with Choir of Young Believers and also as an ex-member of Jong Pang. "You are like LA" is the title track of the first of two EPs to be released via Tigerspring Records.

A live version of Artymove performing their new single "One of these days". Obviously not as ecstatic as the regular version, but still dece.

Rasmus Kellerman has a new band, but he won't tell us what it's called, or who else is in it.

If you've wanted more of the arrestingly heart-felt acoustic music that Kellerman began to explore with the album "The 24th", you won't be getting it (or at least, not right now). The album that Kellerman released under his own name was marked by a stripped-down honesty carried by his clear voice and lone guitar, with lyrics more autobiographical than his project Tiger Lou. It's brave when a musician takes on the "I" persona, and maybe, if you're blessed (or cursed) with the humbleness of a Swede, it might be a bit difficult for you to sell.

About a year ago there came a slightly dark time in Kellerman's blog that seemed to reflect his struggle with the sheer difficulty of standing alone on a stage without a band to share in the creative jam. Performing alone, no matter how honest the music and emotion, seemed vastly different from the joy that Kellerman expressed in past interviews about the musical collaboration that occurred onstage with Tiger Lou. But in the moment when an artist is in creative turmoil, soul-searching and changing, the most interesting music often occurs; as if feeling lost is the best place to begin something new.

If you're a follower of Kellerman's blog, you'll know that plenty of music is going on right now in Kellerman's life -- but it's all behind the closed doors of the studio. Kellerman has lately formed the first band in which he is collaborating on the actual musical creation itself (unlike Tiger Lou, in which the collaboration happened after album production and during performance), and while he has been hesitant to talk much about the band before the music hits the world, it seems to mark a new musical perspective and direction for him.

The way he speaks of it is of an ensemble effort, very much a meeting of minds and talents, and he digs waiting for the music that emerges from it. Rasmus is making us wait for more details too, but he's taken the time to tease us about it. It's a Trap interviewed him this past week.

I would like to learn more about your new project! I understand from your blog that you're not yet ready to talk about it beyond "It's with two friends and it really inspires me," but to me it means a break from how you seemed to write about music in your blog a few years ago.

I guess you're right about that! The difference this time around is that I'm in an actual band, with actual people. It's not just me, a guitar and a computer, writing music, and figuring stuff out as I move along. For now, the info is sparse, partly because there's not much to tell, and partly because we really want the music to be the first thing people encounter. There's is an idea to it, and we're not being elusive for the sake of being elusive. I like sharing the writing and recording process, and loved writing about my recordings etc., but those projects were so different from this one.

I seem to recall a post from the end of 2010 that seemed incredibly glum about your creative process and music in general. In the humble view of a stranger, it seemed that you put a lot on the line to sing your autobiographical songs, and maybe felt a bit disappointed by the results. 2011 was a year in which you picked up from that, and then in October of 2011 you were signed to Razzia Records and things seemed to kick back into gear...

Every time I've finished a record or a tour, I feel like it was my last one. Not because I don't love making records or touring with my friends, but because I think I can never write a new album, or possibly make another tour break even. And also because I'm very dependent on things being progressive.

When I wrote my acoustic album, I had no intention of making it a "proper" release. I was living in Berlin, Tiger Lou were on indefinite hiatus, I had an office and was doing graphic design full time, walking the dog and enjoying the slow road. Then I sent some stuff to Startracks, and the A&R Fredrik Holmgren was so stoked about it, which in turn rubbed off on me. So I figured I'd give it another go, but with a very different approach than usual. I wanted to keep everything very simple.

I booked two weeks in Rolf Klinth's studio (where I always record) and called my friend Thomas Hedlund, asking him to play drums on some of the tracks. We never rehearsed beforehand, it was just me, Thomas and Rolf, trying the song out a couple of times, and then punching the record-button. After that we brought in some more people for a few overdubs, but essentially, no editing was done, everything is live and very much on the spur of the moment.

All the vocals were recorded during the same night (due to me having the flu for ten fucking days straight, and no voice to sing with). All the songs are very personal, some were several years old, some brand new. My main goal was to do everything differently, and I'm very happy with the outcome. In regards to everything else, I guess most people just weren't as stoked about the outcome as I was. That's life for you.

So where does this leave you musically now? At some point in your blog you wrote about wanting to make stuff that wasn't like anything you'd done before (in Araki or Tiger Lou or under your own name).

As for now, I'm working full time at a huge ad company, so finding the time and energy to make music is sometimes difficult. However, I'm fortunate enough to be able to take time off sporadically, and lock myself into a studio someplace, trying to make something beautiful again. That is what the new band is about.

So what's it like?! What do you have to say about your music right now?

Shit, I dunno. It's always weird. When I was younger writing was so easy. These days, sometimes it feels like a chore. But in a good way obviously. It just takes a true effort is what I mean, and I'm good with that. Once a new song is finished, that feeling is one of the best ones there is.

And now, with being in band, it's even better in the end. Because now, there are other people involved, who've added and subtracted from the equation, making the music so much bigger that what it originally was. That's why I try to do a lot of collaborations and remixes these days, there are elements in there, much bigger than me. A very big world, waiting for me to explore it.

So you mention how exciting it is to work with other people in a band, rather than having all of the reins yourself. What have you gained? And do you feel like you've lost anything (like, obviously, total control), and is it a worthy trade?

I don't really see it as a trade, as I still have the ability to do another Tiger Lou album anytime I choose to. When I need to hide away, write every single note of music, play every instrument, produce it myself, I'll do so. For now I'm really happy doing something new, and sharing the experience. The best being that the sum of the group is greater than the sum of its parts.

I could ask about musicians and if we're familiar with them from other musical projects, but I'll wait to be happily surprised. Instead, what I'm most itchingly curious about is what this music sounds like. Any hint at all? "Sounds like a sunny day in Berlin" ?

The soundscape is very much 80s oriented, mainly using vintage analog synthesizers like Jupiter 8, CS-80 and Mirage. One of the guys is a techno/house producer so his influence on all things rhythmic is very noticeable. And I guess I have a personal style of writing songs, melodies and words, so that shines through as well. The third person is a melodic genius and whenever his fingers touch the keys, magic happens. The sound is very big, very emotional and very danceable.

This all sounds extremely exciting, can't wait to hear it!

Interview by Tanya Rezak, photo by Pär Hugo Kjellén

I take it Spain's Desert Icons have listened to a fair bit of Thin Lizzy in the past. The bits on here that do sound like a metalized Lizzy are the downers here. They just lift and brighten the atmosphere a bit too much in something that has the potential to be dark and nasty... in an outstandingly metal way. Out of three songs, opening track "The search" is Alchemist meets Thin Lizzy and the second song, "Animal rage" is Immortal meets Thin Lizzy. And the Lizzy bits are everywhere in both. Closing track "Time for the storm" is the best of the bunch here by miles and it's killer. And there's no Thin Lizzy in it at all! It showcases a band with an identity of their own who sound so fluid when they just run with it rather than trying to show people that they can play like Thin Lizzy. NB. I think this is the most I've ever written Thin Lizzy in my life.]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:59:40 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/40998-general-surgery-like-an-ever-flying-limb http://www.itsatrap.com/n/40998-general-surgery-like-an-ever-flying-limb http://www.itsatrap.com/n/40998-general-surgery-like-an-ever-flying-limb#comments

Death metal in-jokes abound! This is the title track of the band's upcoming 7" EP, due out November 6 via Relapse.

Swedish dubstep? Sure, okay.

Add together stop/motion animation + Swedish Kraut/pop and you get Spagyrikerna. Look for an album this fall via White Line Recordings.

Saturday night at Debaser Malmö! The very last It's a Trap! Clubnight EVER! And we're going out with a bang too with two of Sweden's finest hardcore acts, Out of Vogue and Anchor, gracing the stage. Be there!

Rafael, Memento Vitae by Simeon Frohm from Fajta on Vimeo.

The fascinating Swedish jazz/experimental/spiritual label Compunctio has announced that the long-awaited debut album "Nattens lovsång" from Andreas Runeson's project Ensemble Lakonia will finally be out later this year as part of the label's "Compunctio box". As for the video above, I can't say that I know much about it except that it includes music from the aforementioned act starting at, I believe, around minute 8.

Here's the video for the new Daniel Gilbert single "The smell o'thunder".

Coming November 5 via Tambourhinoceros, the new EP "Variations" from Danish artist CTM aka the solo alias of Cæcilie Trier (Chimes & Bells, Choir of Young Believers). A 2nd EP will follow in early 2013.

The latest video from Swedish duo First Aid Kit.

New from Ane Brun. In related news, Ane had to cancel her US tour with Paul Gabriel due to illness and is being replaced by friend/band member/Swedish artist Jennie Abrahamson.

Finnish indierockers Delay Trees pay tribute to their hometown Hämeenlinna, also the birthplace of renown composer Jean Sibelius. The band's new album "Doze" will be released on October 19 via Soliti.

New visuals from Swedish punkrockers Dalaplan as directed by Christian Jönsson for an upcoming documentary due to be released next year. Look for the band's new 7" single "Ta mig när jag faller" to be released by Gaphals on October 10 to coincide with the start of the band's upcoming Swedish tour.

From the band's new album "Torches ablaze", out now via Ektro Records.

Richard Reagh explains the concept behind his latest project "The Ed Harris Masters", a series of five digital singles he'll be releasing in the near future. As for the Marvin Gaye cover he references, you can find it here.

New/old super lo-fi recordings from Swedish artist Horrible Houses, just repackaged and rereleased in a small limited-edition run by Zeon Light. Expect lots of warble and hiss.

The 2nd video from Finnish cult psychrock act Seremonia.

Wild blues-rock outta Sweden by way of Dear Euphoria's Sven Johansson and Fashionpolice Records. Album this fall?

More like this please: killer early 80s synth-heavy gothrock outta Finland, recently given the vinyl reissue treatment via Svart Records. So, so good; such a shame I only just heard about them a few weeks ago.

Noisey sits down with Susanne Sundfør at Øya to talk Norwegian music.

A new video for "Lågsus" from Danish hip-hop crew Specktors, this time remixed with guest vox from pop artist Medina.

iDEAL Mixtape #3 comes to us courtesy of Swedish visual artist Fredrik Söderberg, who you might know from the album covers he's done for Junip and The Skull Defekts. As for the sounds, the descriptor says neo/dark-folk, but I haven't had a chance to listen yet myself.

Den Stora Vilan star in a "retrofuturistic journey" video for the tune "För långt ut". Definitely worth checking out!

New stuff from Swedish techno artist Özgür Can featuring guest vocals from the one-and-only Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou). Look for Özgür's new album "Put me in a box and label me" to be released on September 28; as for Rasmus' new so-far-anonymous project, expect to finally hear songs very, very soon.

New melancholic navel-gazing out of Göteborg. I'm not big on crowd-sourcing, especially when it comes to bands looking to fund their vanity projects, but you can pitch in to help him put out his EP right here.

Speaking of new bands with Kristofer Åström, he's also got another new project called Fuck Tornadoes that's a bit more rock'n'roll like the name implies. Hear a 2nd tune here.

Cajsa Siik now has a video for her new single "Was I supposed to".

Easy October = Kristoffer Hedberg, Kristofer Åström, Nikke Ström (Nationalteatern, etc.) and Johan Håkansson (A Camp, Freddie Wadling, etc.). Look for an album this fall?

For most folks, the band Cobolt is, at best, a forgotten footnote from the Umeå music scene of yore. For nerds like me who pursued every thread until exhausted, they were a revelation, an eye-opening glimpse into the vast and varied expanse of the Norrland music scene in a post-Refused world. And now, at long last, Refused bassist Magnus Björklund has posted his old band's final unreleased recordings for public consumption. I've had semi-illicit copies of a number of these tracks for many years now and am glad they are finally getting a proper chance to find an audience -- very recommended!

Surprisingly low-key synthpop considering the presence of an ex-member from BWO. Julian & Marina = Marina Schiptjenko (BWO, Page, Vacuum) and Julian Brandt (Lustans Lakejer); debut EP "Absence" due out October 9.

Enigmatic UK label 4AD's latest signing: Danish act Indians, the solo alias of Copenhagen resident Søren Løkke Juul. Expect his debut album in early 2013, in the meantime look for him to be touring extensively all over the world this fall. Dates and more info here.

Check out Danes The Floor is Made of Lava playing live for a Max Peber Session. Great to see these guys consistently improving from quite dubious beginnings.

Coming October 5, the debut album "A crimewave escapade" from Swedish instrumental act Skurkarna via Heptown Records. Hear some older full-length cuts via Bandcamp.

New stuff from Finnish weirdos Kuusumun Profeetta. The band's new album "Huutoja hiljaisesta huoneesta (Screams from a Silent Room)" will be out September 28 via Ektro Records.

A 1-minute preview of the upcoming Familjen album "Allt på rött", officially due out on September 12 in Sweden, slightly later elsewhere in Scandinavia. I would've liked to link you to the video for the lead single too, but the geniuses at Cosmos Music have it blocked in the US.

09/06 - KB18, Copenhagen (DK)
09/07 - Veb, Lübeck (GER)
09/08 - De Onderbroek, Nijmegen (HOL)
09/09 - Vrankrijk, Amsterdam (HOL)
09/10 - Rocas, Luxembourg (LUX)
09/11 - Platform 5, Ashford (UK)
09/12 - The Black Heart, London (UK)
09/13 - Olives Cafe, Norwich (UK)
09/14 - Royal Park Cellars, Leeds (UK)
09/15 - Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham (UK)
09/16 - The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh (SCO)
09/17 - 13th Note, Glasgow (SCO)
09/18 - The Tunnels, Aberdeen (SCO)
09/19 - Balcony Bar, Dundee (SCO)
09/20 - Auntie Annies, Belfast (IRL)
09/21 - Richardsons, Galway (IRL)
09/22 - Fred Zeppelin's, Cork (IRL)
09/23 - The Pint, Dublin (IRL)
09/24 - The Croft, Bristol (UK)
09/25 - Emporium Gallorium, Rouen (FRA)
09/26 - Le Trokson, Lyon (FRA)
09/27 - Club Sentinel, Bilbao (ESP)
09/28 - Liceo Mutante, Pontevedra (ESP)
09/29 - CasaViva (early), Porto (POR)
09/29 - M-Day 2012 (late), Braga (POR)
09/30 - Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de, Lisboa (POR)
10/01 - Wurlitzer Ballrom, Madrid (ESP)
10/02 - Kixkil, Bayonne (FRA)
10/03 - Saint Des Seins, Toulouse (FRA)
10/04 - L'Ecurie, Geneve (CH)
10/05 - AZ, Aachen (GER)
10/06 - Baracke, Münster (GER)

Swedish mellow psychrockers Samling have a new live video for the tune "Anna".

Björn Kleinhenz: great dude or greatest dude? I lean strongly towards the latter, but don't just take my word for it! Go see him on tour this fall to learn for yourself:

09/18 - House show*, Bremen (GER)
09/21 - House show*, Basel (CH)
09/22 - Le Cabinet, Geneve (CH)
09/24 - Bosch Bar, Zürich (CH)
09/26 - Café de la Paix, Geneva (CH)
09/27 - La Parenthese, Nyon (CH)
09/28 - Tankstell, St. Gallen (CH)
09/29 - Nun Café, Karlsruhe (GER)
09/30 - Die Wohngemeinschaft, Köln (GER)
10/02 - Brause, Düsseldorf (GER)
10/03 - Pengland, Mainz (GER)
10/04 - tba, Heilbronn (GER)
10/05 - Odeon, Wien (AUS)

*email bjornkleinhenz@gmail.com for an invite!

Quote bandleader Viktor Sjöberg: "A little while ago, Me and my dear V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble did our first performance in two years. We recorded it in open air. Now, we are sharing it with you." Dig in! Also, note that there's also a free download as wav or mp3 via Kalligrammofon.

Svart Records has just reissued Finnish metal act Lurk's self-titled debut, first released on CD only back in January, on vinyl for the first time; 500 copies, purchase here.

The official video for The Late Call's new single "Look at you now".

09/12 - Roundhouse/iTunesfestival, London (UK)
09/13 - Heaven, London (UK)
09/21 - Konsert & Kongress, Linköping (SWE)
09/22 - Lokomotivet, Eskilstuna (SWE)
10/11 - Storstuggo, Røros (NOR)
10/12 - Byscenen, Trondheim (NOR)
10/13 - Verkstedet, Tromsö (NOR)
10/18 - Total, Tönsberg (NOR)
10/19 - Folken, Stavanger (NOR)
10/20 - Hulen, Bergen (NOR)
10/21 - John Dee, Oslo (NOR)
10/26 - Folkets Hus Bångbro, Kopparberg (SWE)
10/27 - Konserthuset, Gävle (SWE) w/Gävle symfoniorkester
11/01 - Konserthuset, Uppsala (SWE) w/Gävle symfoniorkester
11/02 - Liljan , Borlänge (SWE)
11/09 - Folkets Hus , Umeå (SWE)
11/22 - Scalateatern, Karlstad (SWE)
12/07 - KB, Malmö (SWE)
12/08 - B&B, Halmstad (SWE)
12/15 - Pustervik, Göteborg (SWE)
12/17 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (Welcome to the Infant Freebase)
12/18 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (Extended Revelation)
12/19 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (Behind the Music)
12/20 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (Origin Vol. 1)
12/21 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (Communion)
12/22 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (Throw it to the Universe)

"I have had a recurring mental image of people rushing down the pit, into destruction. One morning as I awoke, I saw like a mental movie that lasted for about an hour. I saw in details all the shots for the music video. The night before, the melody and lyrics for the song had come to me in a matter of minutes. I knew this was important, and not to be kept to myself."

Stupid me for thinking that America had the monopoly on apocalyptic religious nuts making terrible, yet bizarrely intriguing music.

Riff Knives, bringing back the trash-funk jams in 2012. "I miss you (honestly?)" is the band's latest single.

"Was I supposed to" is the debut single from Norrland singer/songwriter Cajsa Siik. Look for her album "Plastic house" to be released soon.

The Scrags now have an official video for their new single "Void lodge", just released earlier this week via Svart Records.

A quick preview of The Late Call's forthcoming album "Pale morning light", produced by John Roger Olsson (The Grand Opening, Hearts No Static, etc.) and also featuring Ylva Ceder and Patric Thorman (Tvärvägen). The video for the first single "Look At You Now" will be up soon with the actual album to follow on September 14 via Tapete Records.

New video from Vånna Inget for the title track of their latest EP "Jag ska fly tills jag hittar hem". Sweden's best current punk band? Yes.

"Sjalusien som driv dæ" is the second single + video from Kråkesølv's upcoming album, due out in September. Great as always!

New all-star Swedish hip-hop from Mofeta & Jerre featuring guest spots from Leo Ontario (Fattaru) and Promoe (Looptroop Rockers).

The new Tobias Hellkvist album "Everything is connected", his first full-length since 2010's stellar "Evolutions", has been officially confirmed for release on September 18 via Japanese label Home Normal. Listen to a sample above.

"Above the rest" is the first single from The Setting Son's upcoming record "Before I eat my eyes & ears", due out October 8 via Bad Afro.

New from New Found Land; sweet melancholy.

I wish the sound was more than just vocals, drums and bass, but it still must be said that Diskoteket is one of Sweden's current best acts.

No Favours = Victoria Skoglund (Audrey, Mire Kay) + Anna Jonsson (Kamikatze) and their friend Stefan Holmberg on bass. Look for their debut self-titled album to be released this fall via Punks Only/A Tenderversion Recording/Instigate Records.

New electronic/ambient weirdness from Zeon Light Kassett, issued in a very limited run of 28 physical copies with a 13-minute bonus jam not available on the digital version.

Westkust is now up on Bandcamp with their fantastic debut "Junk EP" available for streaming in full, paid download or as a very affordable vinyl package. Well worth picking up!

A new video from Magnus Ekelund & Stålet for a great track off his latest record "Det definitiva drevet".

Sadly, this excellent minimalist demo track is likely the final thing we'll ever hear from The Blind as the Swedish synthpop group has decided to part ways. Expect news on future projects from ex-members in the near future.

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

The first track from Hexvessel's upcoming album "No holier temple", due out September 7 via Svart Records.

New from Swedish pop/jazz act Thus:Owls. Look for the band's next album to be released on October 2.