New Albums: ICEAGE – BOARDS OF CANADA – SPARTA
2 June 2026
Album artwork
Band: ICEAGE
Who: Glamorous Danish indie outfit fronted by
charismatic frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt.
Album: FOR LOVE OF GRACE & THE HEREAFTER
Their 6th.
Paste Magazine (US) writes: “It recalls the kinetic energy of their first two records but possesses the sophistication of their more recent output. Equal parts jangly and muscular,
the five-piece forge a new path while staying true to their roots.”
TUTV: The Danish indie heroes return with sonic panacherie and a sense of urgency, rockier and punkier than on predecessor Seek Shelter (still my fav one). Rønnenfelt is omnipresent, although obviously in a feverish place of his own, torn from reality at
times. Iceage fans will have their time of the year.
HIGHLIGHTS: Ember / The Weak / Salve For Every Sore / Mother-Of-Pearl / Lifetime
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Band: BOARDS OF CANADA
Who: Scottish electro vets, Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin, twisting
buttons since 1986. After several EPs they released their debut LP
in 1998.
Album: INFERNO
Their 5th, and first in 13 years.
The Guardian (English newspaper): “The Scottish electronic duo remain hugely influential – but their new album’s interrogation of religion is dubious, and the drum programming is worse still.”
BOC press
TUTV: After a fine atmospheric/cinematic, and panoramic start, repetition starts
to creep in, and my attention weakened. With its 79-minute length, the record is
way too long. Sure, there are some appealing pieces here and there, but overall,
the defective balance gets in the way too much.
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Band: SPARTA
Who: Veteran rockers from El Paso, Texas (2001–2008, 2011–2013, 2017–present).
Founding members Paul Hinojos and Tony Hajjar played also with At The Drive-In (Hajjar still does now and then).
Album: CUT A SILHOUETTE
Their 6th.
Kerrang says: “This new album finds mainman Jim Ward playing to his strengths, with a clutch of concise tunes that contains a few real gems. It’s an album which traces the outline of Sparta’s identity with satisfying clarity. Echoes of revered influences and peers, from Fugazi and Jawbox to AFI and Jimmy Eat World, swing by. Sixth time’s a charm, it turns out.”
📸: @visualritual
TUTV: The Texan vets don’t waste time. From the word go their energy punches holes
in the ceiling. They run and sweat like young dogs. Their post-hardcore-rock-punk engines still burn fierily. But to avoid going over the top they slow down now and then with trenchant and expressive ballads (See You Soon, Midnights and Glimmer). Rock on!
HIGHLIGHTS: Split Lip / Crater / Daydream / Midnights
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