A few days ago, there was a discussion about music from Finland in @Wallu 's introthread. Ever since then I pondered whether and how to turn this into a thread, that would be interesting for a few people at least.
Maybe it would be quite boring to talk about Finnish music only. But given that both Artem @metramaks and Rudi @Moloko126 mentioned Ghost (who are from Sweden of course)… Why not include all Nordic countries?
I guess, there are many cliches and stereotypes about music from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Yet, there is so much more than just ABBA, Skullclub, A-HA, HIM or Björk… … …
Over to you, dear music lovers in the community: What do you think about music from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway or Iceland. Are there some songs or bands you really like … or dislike with a passion?
I must give a mention and shout out to Norwegian rock band Sandmarx.
They are a Norwegian rock band. Their guitarist Marcus started learning using Justin’s courses some years back and was a regular in the old incarnation of the JG forum.
Scandinavian jazz has been on the map since the 1960s and it’s pretty good. It’s somewhat more contemplative than your “usual” jazz and quite open to influences from other genres. Some of these names might ring the bell:
Norway: Jan Garbarek, Anja Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, Jaga Jazzist
Sweden: Mats Gustafsson, Jonas Hellborg, Nils Landgren, Bobo Stenson, Esbjörn Svensson, FIRE ! Orchestra
Denmark: Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, John Tchicai, Palle Mikkelborg
FInland: Eero Koivistoinen, Pekka Pohjola, Heikki Sarmanto
Iceland (non-jazz): Björk, Sigur Rós, Víkingur Ólafsson
From Denmark I’ll have to highlight a band called “Dizzy Mizz Lizzy”, featuring one of the most talented singers and songwriters (IMO) coming out of Denmark. The band had their major breakthrough in the 90s where they won the competition “DM of Rock” and went on to record a super popular album, simply called “Dizzy Mizz Lizzy”. Incredibly, the guitarist and singer Tim Christensen was just 18 years old at the time… how he could write, sing and perform those songs is a mystery to me.
Anyway, the band broke up… but reformed in 2014 to record and release two more albums. I’m actually going to see them live this November for the 30 year anniversary of their first album. A concert I’m looking forward to a lot!
Here is a live performance of their (probably) greatest hit, from that first album - a ballad called “Silverflame”
After their reunion the music has become quite a bit more “heavy” and is almost in the prog-rock category. But they still span a wide range of music styles, and release haunting moody tracks. Like this one from their latest album “Alter Echo” called “The Middle”:
If you like this, I suggest you check the band out on Spotity… GREAT stuff
In many peoples opinion (mine included) Swedens biggest rock band left the stage eight years ago.
But next year they are back for three nights.
Tickets will be available from 12:00 the 26th of oktober.
“Återvändare” means “the one who has returned”, might be from the dead or just to your old home town for Christmas, but this teaser definitely doesn’t have any Christmas vibes…
Interesting aesthetics. Never heard about this band… gotta check
For me, these guys are surely very high on the list of really good bands from Sweden. I’m still a bit disappointed that I missed them last year at Tuska in Helsinki…
Joszef, what a list. I recognized exactly two names besides Björk. Nils Landgren and Sigur Rós. I don’t know next to anything about jazz (or classical music), but I “youtubed” them all now…
@Kasper Thanks for the tip, I will listen to them some more. The singer and guitarist was 18, when they wrote the first song you shared?! Amazing.
I will need to take my time going through the links.
I immediately thought of Marcus and Sandra.
I always promote their new releases in “What are you listening to” but I see Mr C @Richard_close2u got there ahead of me. Consistently powerful over the years but a testament to what is possible from learning under Justin’s tutelage ! And Sandra vox are to die for !
Ok deep dive into those initial links, thank you for sharing.
Stand out tracks Bokassa and SÓLSTAFIR love some hard rock. Was it metal, death who knows just a good stonking beat. Oh and you can’t beat a “road” movie. Shout to jeff @nzmetal on these two ! The rest a bit hit and miss but horses for courses.
Thanks @TheMadman_tobyjenner for the heads up on this thread, I might have missed it otherwise!
Some great music here, Nicole! I have tons of Nordic artists in my library and was going to do a selection from across each of the countries, but realised that the appetite for what I’d share would likely be quite limited so instead I will just share Graveyard (Sweden) who I think would have broader appeal (although I’m sure you’d have heard of them, if not seen play live?). They’re mostly excellent blues-based hard rock with lots of early 70s vibes, very cool
I would actually be really interested in your selection
Ended up listening to Cannibal Corpse after you had mentioned them elsewhere. It grew a bit samey after five, six hours however
I has come across Graveyard, when checking festival line-ups (I think), hadn’t paid any special attention.
Toby @TheMadman_tobyjenner , I agree. I had been tempted to make this a metal (plus punk) selection at the beginning. But then I thought why not try to display more diversity.
And for anyone harking back to the days of classic, analogue hard rock à la Purple/Heep,
this band is (Caught a great show in Liverpool some years ago)
Wow! For real?! If so, then that’s awesome, Nicole! Yeah, Cannibal Corpse adopted the AC/DC approach of refining their sound then just sticking with that, which I’m a big fan of, but yes it can get a bit samey!
Well, remember you asked for it… Although if you can get onboard with the Corpse then some of these will fit in nicely
Here’s a taste of some I’m into from your region, noting I have excluded more well known names like Entombed, Dismember, Darkthrone, Bloodbath, Bathory, etc. (that I LOVE as well of course). I’ll also send you a link to a spreadsheet of bands I like or still need to check out. I’m regularly adding to that, so you might find it useful for inspiration
so instead I will just share 
)
