News editors: Mikael Kahrle & Johan Carlsson
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Covenant build a "Modern Ruin"

April 15, 2009 | By: Tobias Eliasson (Gothenburg, Sweden)

The name for Covenant's upcoming album is now set: "Modern Ruin". There is still no exact date for the release, but it will be sometime during 2009, according to their homepage. You can hear some demos on their MySpace.


Kite complete second EP

April 9, 2009 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden)


Photo by: Jenny Farida Thåström

Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Berg from Swedish electro pop band Kite are currently in their Panama studio preparing their upcoming second EP simply called "2". They say this delayed release is going to see the light of day in May on Progress Productions, and it contains four tracks, including the sweet cover of "I Give You My Morning" they have premiered live.


Empire State Human works with Wolfgang Flür

April 9, 2009 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden)

Irish electro pop outfit Empire State Human has a new album out next week, on April 14. It's called "Audio Gothic" and features the single "Melancholic Afro" which is a track made together with ex-Kraftwerk man Wolfgang Flür. Aidan Casserly and Sean Barron seem to be productive lads, having released two digital only albums last year. This one comes on CD though.


Dean Garcia strikes again

April 8, 2009 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon USA)

SPC ECO, yet another moniker under which Mr. Garcia operates will have their debut album "3-D" (Noiseplus) out on April 21. Pronounced Space Echo, Dean is joined by Rose Berlin on vocals and Joey Levinson on guitar.

This is not the first time the manic bassist has collaborated with daughter Rose Berlin, an entire album's worth of work is available at his site, nor is this business as usual for Collide's Noiseplus record label which up until this point have only issued the parent band's work. Statik and Karin from Collide and Noiseplus have also recorded with Garcia under the name The Secret Meeting.

For those completely in the dark, Dean was half of the legendary English duo Curve who ceased activities in 2005.


"I Take Pictures - Photographic Pictures" released this week

April 8, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Photo book "I Take Pictures - Photographic Pictures" with 500 pictures taken by Release photographer Fredrik J. E. Svensson is finally released this week, by Man av Skugga. It can be ordered here. Release is a partner in this cancer charity project which we have told you about before.


TraKKtor win 20 minutes of fame at Tinitus

April 8, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

The Swedish Tinitus festival invited new bands to compete for a 20 minute live slot on the main stage on Friday. Most people voted for TraKKtor, who will perform alongside Noisuf-X, Combichrist, Suicide Commando and And One. On Saturday, it's time for Portion Control, Northborne, Spectra Paris, Die Form and The Klinik, in that order. This will be the last Tinitus. Lotta, Johan and me from Release are going to attend.


Duran Duran plug away on a double album

April 6, 2009 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon USA)

Curious as to what the English veterans are up to currently? Writing and recording an as-yet unnamed double album. Modern English rock is the direction Simon, John, Nick and Rodger are heading in this time around. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland are not assisting in this production although the band are still justifiably pleased with 2007's "Red Carpet Massacre".

Simon LeBon's blog has made mention of eleven new songs being in progress and also in more monumental affairs, he reveals that Duran Duran are now free of Sony Music.

A release date has not even been hinted at but the band are hard at it.


Oil 10 commemorate a decade

April 6, 2009 | By: Peter Marks (Portland, Oregon USA)

"RetroFuture" (Funkwelten), a compendium of Oil 10's first ten years is out now. Over the span of several albums, this French artist has charted not only the mysterious eclectic side of electronica but also made what can only be described as auspicious dance music. A more cerebral collection of tracks we're hard pressed to recall, in particular, two new ones make their debut on "RetroFuture".


My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult back with new album

April 2, 2009 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden)

Funky industrial sleazers MLWTTKK have just finished the new album "Death Threat". It's only going to be available through the band's web site and soon-to-come online merchandise shop. It's out later in April.

The band is also gearing up for a tour of the US in support for the new album, starting in May.


Growing interest for unique EBM act Spark

April 2, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Spark is the most popular Swedish EBM booking right now with numerous gigs in Germany, Italy and Portugal - and in their home country they play many of the relevant scene clubs, like Mirage in Borås this Friday. This duo from the small town of Falkenberg are known for their unique take on EBM with lyrics in Swedish. A new album is scheduled for May.


Maurice Jarre dies

April 2, 2009 | By: Mikael Kahrle (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Legendary movie score composer Maurice Jarre, father of Jean Michel Jarre, has died at the age of 84 after a short time of illness.


Cabaret Voltaire remix album

April 2, 2009 | By: Johan Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden)

Well, here is something odd. Legendary Sheffield dance industrial outfit Cabaret Voltaire has made a whole album filled with remixes. And all the remixes are made from songs by rock/reggae band Kora! Not an obvious choice really, but might be worth checking out.