Behold! The latest underground metal hype! Shame that the vocals are so feeble because the music is pure Mercyful Fate-worship awesomeness. And I'm sorry, but the Satanic Grimace-priest outfit pales in comparison to the horror conjured by The Curator. I mean, they're still a decent band and I really do love the tracks that feature prominent organ playing, but that singer is pathetic. No balls whatsoever. At least they smarty eschew all band member names and faces so they could quietly replace him very, very easily.
If Rapeman continued on and kept going in a similar direction as latter-day Shellac, they might sound something like Fun do on their third album "New 13". They're still churning out some of the best cantankerous noiserock in the world, but they're also tempering it with a wisened, more expansive/more instrumental approach. If I'm correctly understanding this interview (my knowledge of Finnish is near-nonexistent), "Here comes the ugly man" is based off a Fugazimondegreen relating to the title track of "The argument", and though it doesn't bear any sort of direct musical resemblance, it's an interesting factoid to consider during listening. It's also a great tune highlighting the band's churning rhythm section melded with a slight touch of their matured sense of melody (hah!). Very recommended of course.
I haven't been posting any new editorial content lately for the simple reason that I've just been way too busy doing other things, mostly work. Daily news updates... those are mindless and need to be tended to lest I get way too far behind. New things are in the works though, should I get on top of my massive task list. Anyhow, I do have a new track for you today -- I hinted awhile back about a few choice albums on regular rotation and hopefully you had no trouble guessing, but just in case, I happily admit that one of them is Säkert!'s latest work "Facit". I love Hello Saferide and I love Isolation Years and the combination continues to succeed on album #2 to no surprise whatsoever. I just wish I knew more Swedish because, unlike those bands' other records, I know I'm missing out on quite a lot. For example, artists such as Håkan Hellström are able to communicate without translation, but when Annika Norlin sings in her native tongue, the result is far more nuanced and delicate. I'm to the point where I can pick out bits and pieces, but I know I'll be needing to spend a lot more time with this one before I feel like I really truly "get it". Still, songs do stick out and "Köttet är svagt" ("Flesh is weak") is one. Very recommended!
The Malpractice is the new solo project from Johannes Gammelby of I Am Bones/Beta Satan and "Boss stallion" is the latest single off the forthcoming album "Tectonics", due out October 25 via . I liked a couple I Am Bones songs, but was mostly ambivalent about the band overall; Beta Satan fare much better in my eyes due to the band's exemplary noisiness, whereas The Malpractice fall somewhere in between. This song in particular is quite good, despite my distaste for disco tropes to which I credit the beat emphasizing heaviness over funk. Seems to me, it aims for more an angular rock thing and nails it rather than poorly faking your standard Motown breaks. Elsewhere, the band seems to fall off a bit when Johannes loses focus, as was often the case with IAB, but whatever. We're in a new age of the single, right? Isn't that what they say?
Far more "indie" sounding than most of the stuff puts out, but that doesn't necessarily translate to less good. "At crude garbage falls" is the new single from Norway's Hope I Die Virgin, the first taste of their forthcoming album "Is forever no way" which will be released in 2011. Those dudes have some seriously ugly sweaters, but they make up for with excellent use of prominent keyboards. Direct link to the video: https://vimeo.com/15688045
It's a shame that so many EBM acts such as Code 64 so often have such shamelessly lame teen-angst lyrics because the music is actually pretty good. C'mon now, grown-ass men should not be saying things like "I will never be a puppet of conformity!" with a straight face; there are far more poetic ways to express those feelings if you didn't get over it past high school. I guess you also have to consider the intended audience though and understand that many a basement-dwelling cybergoth oh so desperately wants to be misunderstood. Me, I just want good tunes I can jam without being embarrassed and only a portion of Code 64's new record "Trialogue" fits the bill. That is, if you pay attention to the lyrics. The tunes themselves are actually all pretty decent.
From the 2007 album "Fall, fall falling" because 'tis the season. The Autumn Equinox hits like a hammer up here, bringing on dead leaves; damp, dreary days and long, dark nights. The angle of light gives the world a special glow and a new chill enters the air, mixing with wood smoke. I'll have lived in this house for 5 years come Halloween and I'm still not quite used to the suddenness of it all. Still, after living most of my life in California, there will always be something special about experiencing true seasonal change. Besides, fall really is the best, most beautiful time of year.
Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Ashen like the sky
"Toast to M" is oddly cheery sounding for a song about suicide, but I suppose that's the point. It's about making peace, not wallowing in misery. It's also an obvious standout on Britta Persson's new record "Current affair medium rare", which is one of three great new Swedish albums out this season, all fairly obvious picks from established artists. As with the others, one of Britta's best qualities is her consistent progression -- she abandoned straightforward girl-with-a-guitar based songwriting with previous album "Kill Hollywood me" and has now gone further into rhythm-heavy composition, building songs around memorable beats. Naturally, having someone as gifted as Per Nordmark (Fireside, Bad Hands, etc... playing Friday at Debaser Malmö for IAT! Clubnights) as your sideman certainly helps, but let's not diminish Britta's wonderful phrasing, among other highpoints. There's lots to like, moreso on the record as a whole.
Also note that Britta Persson will be one of Club Killers' special "secret" guests at Strand on October 8 where she will be singing "Bleeding love" and "Kids in America" with the band. So there you go, two must-see shows on each side of Sweden. I won't be anywhere close, but I would if I could.
Taking a cue from Swedesplease to focus your attention on Mother of the Forest and his new EP "Ryka i ro", which was recently posted for free download here. As Craig rightfully points out, this is for fans of creative music that takes risks and is far, far more exciting than the typically mediocre guitar rock that gets sent my way. It also helps that it fits in nicely with a lot of the other similarly minded goth/industrial clatter I've been listening to as of late. As for a more direct comparison, Sällskapet comes to mind, though Mother of the Forest is much weirder, taking far more influence from The Bear Quartet's noisier efforts. As if it wasn't obvious by having Matti provide guest vocals. Anyhow, Mother of the Forest is great and the EP is free, so you really can't go wrong. Listen and help spread the word!
I saw a Belted Kingfisher while out walking at Nisqually NWR yesterday, so I'm taking it as an omen that I should talk about Thomas Denver Jonsson's new project I'm Kingfisher. Not that seeing that particular type of kingfisher is all that unusual, it's just that it's rare for me to venture out somewhere I can't bring my dogs. Otherwise, I did see some beautiful herons and a Peregrine Falcon, as well as some ducks that weren't the usual mallards. But I'm no birder, unlike Thomas; I was more interested in seeing the progress of the estuary restoration at high tide. Not that you care about all that, you just want the music, right? So yeah, Thomas Denver Jonsson now operates as I'm Kingfisher and his new album "Arctic" will be officially released on October 18 via . "Willing night plants" is both the opening tune and lead single and, as you will hear, doesn't stray from Thomas' roots in rootsy music. Same soft melancholy, same folksy jangle, same gentle quaver... all in all, very friendly and familiar. The lack of drums is interesting though, as it allows the acoustic strumming to take on a much more prominent role. The rest of the record builds from here, eventually arriving at a much quieter finish. What happens between, well, wait for the album to find out.
Happy birthday to me! It's a Trap! is eight years old today and here we are in 2010 with over 35k news items posted, 353 newsletters sent, over 100 hours of radio shows... a lifetime in internet years and perhaps a colossal waste of time, but it keeps me busy and keeps me engaged and it also keeps on helping me hone my editorial and webprogramming skills. At least that's the hope. On searching my library for a song with the number 8 in the title, the best I could come up with is "Åtta år av krig är värt ett bröllop" ("Eight years of war is worth a wedding") by Det Gamla Landet which I suppose is more or less fitting. Great band, sorely missed. Dunno if I'll keep on doing this for another eight, but we'll see what happens.
Det Gamla Landet - Åtta år av krig är värt ett bröllop
Interment is the kind of band that rules on first impression, but provides diminishing results thereafter. Contributor John Norby isn't wrong when he cites the band's adherence to the classic "Left hand path", it's just that I don't think they have enough memorable riffs to fill a full-length. They nail the style, not the substance. Anyhow, the band still slays in small doses, so check out a track (and just one, mind you) and get stoked.
Do you like Menfolk? Want a copy of their latest LP "Beast one/man nil"? I'm holding a single copy for resale and will part with it for $20 ppd (in the US, slightly more for foreigners). And as you can see from the pic, it includes a Dropcard for a full album download too. Email mailorder@itsatrap.com to hook it up.
Further enticement below, my current favorite track from the album.
This is a good choice of a track to showcase Obstacles' many strengths. Though undoubtedly a mathrock band, they know how to properly employ empty space and held notes and also, most importantly, they understand how to maintain a proper melodic theme. Yeah, they do get to hammering on, but it goes with the territory (and title). And really, as far as this sort of stuff goes, it's all done quite tastefully. Doubt it'll convert any non-believers, but anyone already down with the scene would do well to check these dudes out.
Direct video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy1GwmL-TrA
Obstacles - Twilight of the Idiots or, how to philosophize while hammering on
Bad news/good news: Voices Break the Silence, whose long-awaited/highly anticipated debut album was finally supposed to see light of day in 2010, has gone on permanent hiatus. In their place, a new band has formed by vocalist/guitarists Dick Pettersson and Nicklas Sandström called In These Woods and they have a new 5-song EP on the way. In mere weeks too, that is, if everything goes according to plan. "Bear" is the first track and first taste of what's to come; unsurprisingly (and quite satisfyingly) not far from what came before -- pure quality Scandinavian indierock, chock full of big riffs, bigger melodies and at a mere 2.5 minutes, all killer, no filler. I suppose that means it might be time to update my 2010 watchlist.
