Kati Rán Joins Svart Records Roster for Upcoming Album “Sála”



Solo, Dutch, Nordic folk artist, Kati Rán, has revealed that she has signed with Svart Records, for the release of her brand new full-length, Sála. The album is due out on May 24, 2024. For an advance glimpse of what’s to come, she has also shared a short docu-clip about the record. Watch it in the article below and read more from Kati Rán.
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Malsten Share New Single “Path Of The Nix” from Incoming Album


Sweden’s horror doom mongers, Malsten have released a new single, “Path of the Nix.” It comes from their upcoming album, due out on March 15th, via Svart Records. Titled The Haunting of Silvåkra Mill – Rites of Passage, it is the follow up to 2020s The Haunting of Silvåkra Mill. The single retells a mystical encounter with the beings of the old world, and features a guest appearance by Martin Aurell on keyed fiddle. Check it out below and find out more about Malsten.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Bjørkø – Heartrot


Tomi Koivusaari is known for being one of the founding members of the masterful metal act, Amorphis. He has been a champion in one of Finland’s most acclaimed bands for over thirty years and he is now getting ready to release an album from his debut solo project: Bjørkø.Continue reading


Strange New Dawn (In The Woods, Green Carnation) Share Video for “Sons Of Galaxy” – New Album Imminent


Spawned by founding members of In The Woods and Green Carnation, Norweigan heavy psych doom band, Strange New Dawn have just unveiled their video for the track “Sons Of Galaxy.” It is taken from thei new album New Nights of Euphoria, out tomorrow, 24th of November, via Svart Records. Find the video and more below.

 

Pre-order New Nights of Euphoria here.

Stream here.

 

Strange New Dawn’s mission is clear: to provide listeners with an uplifting perspective on the world, coupled with a deeply euphoric journey through their musical landscape. The excitement felt by the band’s emergence is shared equally between listener and creators: “We are thrilled with the album and believe we’ve created something truly special,” says Xbotteri. “Our collaboration has been exceptional, and this journey has been a source of inspiration and fulfilment for all of us.

 

The band’s inception traces back to the year 2000 when the idea took root in the mind of Xbotteri. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that this idea blossomed into reality, with Xbotteri recruiting CM Botteri on bass (both founding members of Green Carnation and In The Woods), Sven Rothe on drums, and the powerhouse vocals of Geir Solli (formerly of Green Carnation). This star chamber of talents, culminated in the creation of New Nights of Euphoria, that pushes the boundaries of heavy prog metal, creating something entirely new with fascinatingly familiar origins.

 

Through the twists and turns of the creative process, some original members embarked on personal journeys of their own, making room for fresh talent. An old friend, Ex-Royal, took the helm as the vocalist, and Sven’s brother, Muld, joined on keys and samples, adding a layer of depth and creativity that reinvigorated the band and helped make New Nights of Euphoria richer and more eclectic in form. The addition of Bjørn Harstad (known as lead guitarist from In The Woods and Green Carnation) as the lead guitarist in Strange New Dawn solidified the band’s foundation.

 

With Xbotteri as the primary songwriter, Strange New Dawn’s sound naturally carries the echoes of In The Woods, which will delight fans who have missed that definitive signature. However, New Nights of Euphoria also ventures into a diverse array of genres, with an unwavering focus on creating atmospheres that captivate the heart and soul.

 

The album’s recording journey, spanning just under a year, was marked by trial and error, but the end result is nothing short of mesmerizing. To craft their harmonious resonance, Strange New Dawn chose to work on drums, guitars, bass, keys, and sample at Burnhill Studios which provided the ideal setting for their deep expedition into unknown musical landscapes, while Ex-Royal and Bjørn Harstad sculpted vocal and guitar magic at Endre Kirkesola‘s Dub Studio.

 

Watch previous video “Journey Within” here.

 

More from Strange New Dawn:

Drawing inspiration from luminaries like Pink Floyd, Candlemass, Arcturus, and Thule, as well as sci-fi films, esoteric documentaries, and cosmic literature, Strange New Dawn has harnessed their collective creativity to craft a sonic odyssey that defies boundaries.

 

New Nights of Euphoria is a testament to the boundless creativity of Strange New Dawn, and as with their past work, it is destined to be a milestone in the world of heavy music. Look out for this Strange New Dawn rising!

 

Follow Strange New Dawn:

https://www.facebook.com/Strangenewdawnnorway

https://strangenewdawncom.bandzoogle.com/home

 


ALBUM REVIEW: The Coffinshakers – Graves, Release Your Dead


 

Graves, Release Your Dead (Svart Records) is the latest album from Finland’s vampire-admiring (maybe “obsessed” is the word) The Coffinshakers. According to the band’s online blurb, they’ve been making horror comedy since 1995. Now if that feels like rather a long time to be riding this fairly simple gimmick, well it’s just a fleeting moment for a night walker, eh?

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ALBUM REVIEW: Hexvessel – Polar Veil


 

Having reviewed Grave PleasuresPlagueboys for Ghost Cult earlier this year, as a Mat McNerney fan I was excited to see he had another record out, this time via his folk-orientated project Hexvessel.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Jaaw – Supercluster


 

Jaaw is an intriguing collaboration, bringing together a group of musicians that few people may have predicted hitting the studio together. The ‘super-group’ fronted by Therapy?’s veteran singer and guitarist Andy Cairns, joins Wayne Adams (Petbrick/ Big Lad), Jason Stoll (Mugstar / Sex Swing), and Adam Betts (Squarepusher / Goldie) in creating their debut record Supercluster (Svart Records) at Adam’s notorious Bear Bites Horse Studio in London.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Radien – Unissa Palaneet


 

Since forming in 2014, Sludge band, Radien have released a range of different releases displaying their power and skill in creating their own devastating blackened influenced sounds. Their latest album Unissa Palaneet, despite only being five tracks long, lasts a tremendous forty-six minutes, almost half of which is taken up by the final track, clocking in at twenty-one minutes. As you can tell from the get-go, this isn’t a band with dreams of hitting the charts. It is clear from the offset of their music, these artists have a creative vision of the brutal and animalistic sounds they can present to the world.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Yakuza – Sutra


 

This experimental Chicago band has been toying with the dark sonic corners for over twenty years. It’s been eleven of those years since we have had a new album from Yakuza, and it is good to dive back into their land of twisted shadows. The focus has shifted to a more deliberate brand of heavy, that places them not far from the sonic zip code of older Mastodon. The differences are fewer guitar pyrotechnics and a much darker trajectory than the Atlanta progsters. Bruce Lamont’s baritone moan carries a hint of anger as the opening track is framed with dissonance.

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