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Hell freezes over July 13, 2009 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon) In a recent missive on the Young God Records mailing list, Michael Gira has revealed plans to release his new album as a "Swans/Angels of Light hybrid". As to who will be playing on this record or when it will be out, that is anyone's guess at this point. This is confirmed also on the Young God Records website. Swans were terminated by Gira upon conclusion of their 1997 tour. Originally formed in 1981, Swans existed in a rather alien alternate universe to what else was going on in music, throughout their career. Drawing influence from Glenn Branca at their outset, the band carved out a unique place of their own making some of the most brutal albums imaginable (1984's "Cop" being a highlight of this era) before incorporating more musical elements into their sound from 1987 onwards. The final works from Swans were a double album in 1996 entitled "Soundtracks for the Blind" and a double live album culled from the 1995 and 1997 tours called "Swans Are Dead." Gira stresses most vehemently this is not a Swans "reunion" but moreover a picking up of threads begun on Swans final works interwoven with the acoustic stylings his Angels of Light project has embraced and expanded upon over the course of five studio albums. New Depeche Mode cancellations July 11, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Simrishamn, Sweden)
Depeche Mode have cancelled shows again: the last two on the European tour in Porto and Sevilla today and tomorrow. This time it's for a new reason; Dave Gahan has hurt his leg (calf muscle tear) and needs to keep it still, doctor's orders. Read about the Arvika Festival gig last Friday in our report. Estrange returns with third album July 11, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Simrishamn, Sweden)
Swedish synthpop band Estrange returns with their third album called "On the Wane" in a few days. The debut came out back in 1996 on October Records. They have two live shows and one release party in their schedule (see On Stage). Elektrostat 2009 with DAF and Mind.in.a.box July 8, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Simrishamn, Sweden)
Oslo's annual Elektrostat festival has made its first announcement for 2009. Elektrostat 2009 will take place at John Dee on October 2-3 and the first three booked live acts are DAF, Mind.in.a.box and Anstalt. Five bands will play each night. Catching up with Nitzer Ebb July 7, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle and Fredrik "Schlatta" Svensson (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Release was curious about why Nitzer Ebb fail to release a new product, after years of talk - and touring. - We'll be taking it easy with the live sets as we are putting the finishing touches to the new album and deciding on the strategy for its release. Then we'll work on out new stage design, more elaborate than this one, Douglas McCarthy says. And then you'll hit the road again? - Yes, we are restarting the 2009 tour in South America, I believe in the middle of August in Brazil and then we'll probably do some more shows in South America, North America and then head down under before returning to Europe in early 2010. The new album has been recorded in Los Angeles together with John O Jagz Kooner. We heard some new tracks live and the band says the new album is true to the essence of Nitzer Ebb. The approach is basic and uncomplicated. In some songs,however, they say they expand their musical boundaries. The album release has been delayed because of the current situation in the music business, according to Nitzer Ebb. Arvika: 22 500 paying visitors? July 5, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden) The Arvika Festival is over for this time and it seems the festival will be back. The organisers took a huge risk when they hired one of the most expensive acts on the planet, Depeche Mode (and a couple of other rather expensive bands as well - Nine Inch Nails and Korn). But they say they are quite pleased with approximately 22 500 tickets sold - 4 000 more than last year. However, they will have to wait a few weeks before the exact result is known. Report in progress. Amphi compilation CD July 4, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Out of Line will compile a CD with live acts from this year's Amphi Festival in Cologne in mid-July. The CD will be fully packed but sold at the price of an EP. Hocico, Front 242, Feindflug, Laibach, Qntal, Covenant, Agonoize, Marsheaux, Eisbrecher, Leaether Strip, The Birthday Massacre and Saltation Mortis are some of the bands featured. Arvika Festival starts today, Depeche Mode tomorrow July 2, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Today, this year's Arvika Festival in Sweden opens its gates, with today's headliner Nine Inch Nails on stage tonight. Tomorrow, Arvika's dream headliner Depeche Mode plays. - They were good in Copenhagen on Tuesday, but not spectacular, Release Fredrik "Schlatta" Svensson says. He has caught Depeche Mode 17 times and says that gig was in the top 7. Depeche Mode will be allowed to play for about two hours in Arvika, unusually long for a festival band. The will meet fans three hours before the show and leave for the airport in their private yet directly after the show. On Monday, Arvika's marketing manager Emma Finnkvist announced that the festival had beaten its old ticket sale record last weekend. - And this year the festival area is bigger and we have more campings areas, she says. The festival is not sold-out but can swallow 25 000 people. Röyksopp with Robyn, DAF, Welle:Erdball, Mind.in.a.box, Elegant Machinery, Korn, Aesthetic Perfection, De/Vision, Diary of Dreams, Fever Ray, Little Boots and The Mobile Homes are some of the artists playing this year. Johan Carlsson and Fredrik "Schlatta" Svensson will compile a Release report afterwards. |
