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News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson |
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Skinny Puppy CD almost complete; set for January followed by tour Sep 27 2006 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden) The next Skinny Puppy album will be released on January 29, according to their record label SPV. Skinny Puppy says they and Ken Marshall have about one third of the mixing left. Longtime collaborator Steven R Gilmore is designing the cover. It's Skinny Puppy's intention to go on a large tour after the album release. They also say: "There has been some talk of a secret live show coming up on Halloween. Can't deny that." A "Vault 2" limited edition series is apparently on its way to, with "a few gems" including a new Download LP as soon as this autumn. The Skinny Puppy production crew has also started Scaremeister - a new company that will focus on scoring, sound design, music licensing and remixes.
Sparks' "Dick Around" single banned by the BBC Sep 26 2006 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden) The two brothers Ron and Russell Mael in legendary pop/rock/synthpop band Sparks are furious after BBC banned their new single “Dick Around”. The band has issued a statement, saying amongst other things that “The BBC has officially killed off our new single ‘Dick Around’, ostensibly through rather childish objections to the title, an innocent reference to the idle life”. Ron continues: “The reaction from the public to this record has been nothing but positive, so BBC should stop being the morality police when it is so clearly misplaced. So far, no word from BBC. A bigger sound from Strip Music the second time Sep 26 2006 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden) October 11 marks the release of Swedish dark synthrock act Strip Music's second album "Hollywood & Wolfman" (Playground). Producer Heikki Kiviaho has helped Henrik de la Cour and co. to make a big, hard and dynamic sound. Kalle Malmstedt gave the debut an eight in Release 2004.
Lycia alive again Sep 26 2006 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon, USA) American enigma Lycia have re-formed and have been working on new songs for over a month. Further news as we get it. Heading into the fast Lanes Sep 21 2006 | By: Mike Whyte (Tokyo, Japan) Yet another artist to pay respect to the communicative abilities of online music/networking websites (MySpace et al), this album may just hint at the revolution of self-produced artists coming out from the shadows and taking on the established order out there. Time for 2006's Maschinenfest Sep 21 2006 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon, USA) October 5-7 will see this year's edition of the famed Machinenfest in Krefeld, Germany. Some of the numerous acts participating include: Black Lung, Squaremeter, In Slaughter Natives, The [Law-Raw] Collective, P.A.L, Snog and Moctan.
More from Frozen Plasma Sep 21 2006 | By: Niklas Forsberg (Kungälv, Sweden) Following the success of debut album "Artificial" and the club single "Irony", German/Swiss duo Frozen Plasma will release the EP "Emphasize" on October 3. Five brand new tracks and five remixes make out the track list for this futurepop tinted offering. Go film Covenant Sep 19 2006 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden) | Arvika 2006 photo by: Karin Martinsson (Gothenburg, Sweden)
- While final preparations for our forthcoming US tour are being made, we decided to load our bags, not only with machines, mics and ties, but also with DV cameras in order to film our own road movie, Joakim Montelius says. The chosen ones will be handed an easy-to-use camera, two free tickets and permission to film a part of the concert from the restricted area in front of the stage. Those interested should mail gofilm@covenant.se before September 25 with their full name, date of birth, concert choice and previous experience of making home video, if any. The North American tour has been extended; see our recent Covenant News piece below (now edited).
Neil Taylor leaves Mesh Sep 19 2006 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden) and Niklas Forsberg (Kungälv, Sweden) Remaining members Mark Hockings and Richard Silverthorn will however continue to work under the Mesh moniker and feel that as they have been the main song writers in Mesh, they have a lot of songs still to be written. Details to be found at their web site. Mesh will still play the upcoming live dates in Germany and Russia. Boytronic back with new album and line-up Sep 19 2006 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden) and Niklas Forsberg (Kungälv, Sweden) A new album from Germany's legendary synthpop act Boytronic will see daylight soon on Major Records. Vocalist Holger Wobker is accompanied by two new members this time: Holger Johm and Michael Maria Ziffels. Former member Hayo Panarinfo has left the band after a mutual decision. The new album, titled "Dependence", has no exact release date. Third Seabound album soon here Sep 19 2006 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden) and Niklas Forsberg (Kungälv, Sweden)
Critically acclaimed German band Seabound is finished with the new album “Double-Crosser”, after two years of work. No exact date is set, but it looks like October 27 for Europe (Dependent) and early November for USA (Metropolis). More German obstinate electropop is promised. Europe will get a special limited edition digipak release including a bonus CD with mixes from Olaf Wollschläger, Covenant and Rotersand. The disc also includes a song called “Asymmetry” which is a collaborative effort with Australian band Tankt. Covenant’s Eskil Simonson has co-produced two songs on the album. Just another "Filthy White Guy" Sep 19 2006 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon, USA) The month of October will see the release of Portion Control's latest album "Filthy White Guy" (Portion Control.net) which contains 13 tracks. A twenty second loop of one of the new works can be listened to at their site. This is the first work to emerge from the band since the departure of Baron Mordant and as PC have hinted, it is far more direct and urgent. We suspect the fans will not be disappointed one whit.
Billboard no1 for The Crüxshadows Sep 19 2006 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon, USA) Live in Arvika. Florida-based "goth dance" band The Crüxshadows have knocked Beyonce and Jay-Z's latest single "Déjà vu" from atop the Billboard dance singles chart and have assumed #1 with their current single "Sophia". VNV Nation remix IAMX Sep 19 2006 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden) IAMX has made the best album of 2006 – at least I think so. So it’s no surprise that a new single is pulled from “The Alternative”. My favourite track off that album “Spit It Out” is the track in question, and it’s going to be remixed by both VNV Nation and Alexander Kowalski. A video is being made as we speak, and the single is out on November 17. A re-release of IAMX debut album “Kiss & Swallow” will also be available on the same date. It includes a brand new IAMX track, a Moonbotica remix of “Kiss & Swallow” and the video for “Missile”. If you missed out on one of the best albums of 2004, this is your chance to get it. Both the single and the re-issue is released by Major Records. |
“Hydra Missing – Fear
the Worst” is the new album
from New York artist 
Covenant
asked us to mention that
they're currently looking
for people who can film
parts of their concerts. 
Keyboarder and 15-year-member
Neil Taylor has decided to leave
electropop trio Mesh to pursue
other areas of life.
The split is amicable, and the
other members wish him the best
of the luck.
