Artist description Belltown is an intensive rock/hardcore band with major focusing on the melodies and the hooks. Their sound is balancing between the hard and brutal versus the mellow and the fragile.

Music Style intensive rock/hardcore

Musical Influences foo fighters, tool, kerbdog, helmet, quicksand, stavesacre.

Similar Artists helmet, tool, foo fighters, quicksand

Artist History Belltown is a heavy quartet from Gothenburg in western Sweden. Their style is unique in combining ultra heavy distorted grooves with strong pop melodies and hooks. From their long list of influences one can mention inspiration from bands as the Foo Fighters, Deftones, Helmet, Tool and fellow gothenburgians Mary Beats Jane.Their live appearance are explosive and emotional, the huge span between the mellow and the intense is bridged over by their diversified but yet distinctive songwriting. One never knows what to expect from a new Belltown song, slow and easy or fast and furious. They have never let themselves to be concerned in a genre that will limit their abilities to put in whatever they want in their music. A strong integrity combined with a serious ambition is the trademark of Belltowns musicianship today.Belltown started out in and around Gothenburg in 1997. Since then the line-up has changed a few times, with the exception of the founding member, bass player Christian Lundqvist. For the two last years however, Belltown has played as a three-piece consisting of Christian, drummer Damir Bandic and singer/guitarist Daniel Palm.During 1998 and 1999 lots happened around the Belltown experience. Their rehearsal studio was burglarized twice in the summer of ´98, which left the band gear for several months. A demo was recorded in the autumn of ´98, called Take One. They played as support act for heavy rockers B-Thong in early ´99, and slowly but steady they built a reputation as an intensive rock/hardcore band. During ´99 the record label Slugger Productions showed an interest in Belltown and plans were made up for an EP. In October ´99 five songs were put on tape, and resulted in the EP Desillusion Day. A very suiting name perhaps, because it marked a new beginning in the Belltown era. Despite all of the hardships and endless hours of work, the band came out stronger and more determined than ever.Shortly after the completion of Desillusion Day, a new guitar player was recruited, Martin Blom. This addition to the bands line-up and creative melting pot proved to be an instant success, and Belltown was once again a quartet. Sadly after just a couple of months Belltown and Martin decided to go separated ways. Belltown are now auditioning new guitar players and hopefully they will be a quartet again very soon.At this point in time Belltown has begun to write songs for the full-length album, but are also looking for a new deal. There is no point in letting Slugger Productions release the full-length album, they simply hasn’t got the money to support it, and Belltown has no longer a real deal with them.So now it’s up to the people to spread the Belltown name.

Group Members The Band:Damir Banic, drums and percussion Christian Lundqvist, basses and vocalsDaniel Palm, lead vocals and guitar

Instruments guitars, basses, drums,

Albums http://www.theorchard.com/artistlink.cfm?artist_id=bel6

Press Reviews Strange thing about this CD -- I'm not sure why I like it so much. Belltown is currently my second favorite thing from Sweden. Listening to Desillusion Day I get the feeling that Belltown are a group comprised of highly-studied jazz musicians who decided to put all that behind, and pursue some kind of deconstructivist, performance-art rock thing for kicks ... sort of like Helmet. This band seems to be on the verge of falling apart at any moment. I'm not talking "falling-apart" like your friend's suck-ass band -- Your friend's band sounds that way because they just SUCK. Belltown sounds as if they are doing it intentionally to impart the tension and general feeling of chaos underlying this entire EP.The opener, "Rollcage" though essentially 4/4, is masterfully syncopated. I though it was 7/8 on my first listen (not that any of you give a shit). Nice balance of groove and chaos. This is by far my favorite track on here, and I probably wouldn't give a shit if the rest of Desillusion Day was unlistenable. There's nothing particularly unique about track two, "Weirdness Magnet" except the cool semi-clean guitar tones, so rare these days. It's refreshing to hear a band stray a bit from the buzzy, super-duper-overdriven sound which has robbed all the personality from the guitar in modern "hard rock." The sparse, low bass groove of this song sounded pretty typical and the "Filter-ish" chorus ... well, it left me a bit flat.Further reinforcing the ideal that English is truly the language of rock -- all of these songs are sung in English, and quite well I should add. There were a couple of times where, during the CD, I'd notice the Swedish accent. But for the most part they avoided the silly sounding accents common to many imports. Songs like "Under A Rock" might never get written by people who's first language is English. The lyrical content is deceptively simple -- and it works. Cool clean guitar and fuzzy bass in this "PJ Harvey-ish" tune.Yet another cool fuzzed-out bass groove on "Concerning You." Whatever, I'm not one to complain. I like the looseness of this tune. But the fuzz-bass is at it's best in the first couple verses of the closer, "Deadweight." I think the loose, sparse, semi-out of tune attack of Belltown is what makes them so appealing to me. On paper, these songs are unremarkable and not terribly original -- But there is so much tension and purity here that I can't help but dig this.Nice sparse recording. Nice real guitar and bass tones. Drums that sound like drums, not samples. If Joe Morello played rock this is what he'd play. If you're into slower groove bands like Clutch, and the now defunct Morphine, Belltown will not disappoint. --Jason Petrisko By Jason Petrisco, Superpunk.com, US****************************BELLTOWN – DESILLUSION DAY' As soon as I started to play belltowns EP.... Some thing hit...I don’t know what...but I played it non-stop all day. Belltown are something that words can not really describe...in a way you'll have to listen to them yourself to really understand what I’m on about...belltown are in my view the new music for the year 2000 and the future....they are a band not to miss out on having the chance to see live or buy the EP....check them out or lose out on hearing one great band....its your choice!!!!! Sean slinger/ violation magazine/scarborough, England******************************** BELLTOWN "DESILLUSION DAY" (EP) 4 out of 5 My first thought when the CD started and the opening track Rollcage flowed out through my speakers was: "What’s this? You cant play like this!" It sounded so awkward with the rhythm and the guitar chord that my first impression was that Belltown must be a bunch of kids that just recently picked up their instruments. But it din´t take many listening before I completely changed my mind. Belltown plays brilliant rock/hardcore. So be it that the influences from the likes of Nirvana are a little too obvious sometimes, but Belltown is mixing their influences deservingly and make something of their own from it. Nothing strange. The vocals of Daniel Palm is perfect for Belltowns music. He can sing hard and brutal without sounding strenuous or artificial. The fact that he can change from the mellow and easy to total aggression creates a dynamic in Belltowns music. Belltown is definitely one of the most interesting Swedish hardcore bands right now. Learn more about Belltown on http://www.welcome.to/belltown Anders Isacsson anders.isacsson@propeller.musiclink.se http://www.propeller.musiclink.se****************************************ALBUM REVIEW: BELLTOWN | DESILLUSION DAY (Slugger Productions)Say Sweden and you undoubtfully think of Abba. But the fact that Sweden has a lot more to offer, is something that lots of bands from Sweden have proved through the years. Belltown is such a band (from Gothenburg, Sweden). Their EP 'Desillusion Day' has already been released in February, through Slugger Productions. The album contains five strong songs, sounding both heavy and melodic. Especially opener of the album 'Rollcage' and the song 'Concerning you' are very well composed and arranged. But also the other songs are definitely worth a listen. The bands' influences range from Foo Fighters and Tool to Mary Beats Jane. But I think it's Helmet that has influenced the band most. The album has been produced by Niklas Merits and Lars Häglund (B-Thong). Besides this relationship between Belltown and B-Thong, there's another relation between both bands: Belltown played as a support act for B-Thong and the guys are good friends of B-Thong. Conclusion: I say thank Belltown for the music! (by Bart) www.kindamuzi.nethttp://www.welcome.to/belltownVisit the Belltown website @ www.welcome.to/belltown27.Apr.2000******************************************** BELLTOWN "DESILLUSION DAY" "They have got a great roll in the opening song, bold changes of pace, cool guitar and a singer with a confident voice. They are at their best when they let go of their RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE influences. Like in Weirdness Magnet and Under A Rock, where the band succeeds in changing from the mellow to the aggressive without losing the listener. A promising debut." Harald Gatu/Dagens Arbete, Stockholm Sweden**************************************' BELLTOWN - DESILLUSION DAY What’s striking with Belltown and what separates them from others are mainly two things. Firstly, you can tell by their songwriting that they are really striving ahead. Secondly, they have a great singer in Daniel Palm who succeeds in the most important thing, to feel credible. Belltowns music is aggressive and emotional with a constant balance between the aggressive and brutal versus the mellow and fragile. Belltowns strength lies in this balance. According to the press material from the band, Belltowns music is leaning towards the more aggressive. But I hope that they keep the mellow thoughtful parts that give the songs their real heaviness, the calm before the storm.The opening song Rollcage has echoes from Monster Magnet and is a perfect introduction to the rest of the EP. One might even call it a hit. The song twists from here to there between paces, refrains, bridges and verses but keeps a steady course ahead. Listen 2.29 minutes into the song and you’ll know what I mean. Definitely the best song on this 5-track EP. Another song that needs mentioning is Weirdness Magnet, which also sticks out from the rest. Rating: 4 out of 5Andreas AuerInferno Fanzine, Sweden********************************* BELLTOWN - DESILLUSION DAY ( 4 ) out of 5 Slugger Productions It’s a bit hard to categorize belltowns music. It’s great and groovy and feels like a rockier version of tool. Very much melodies and when I’m in on the word ``very´´ I want to add very good. With the right back – up we surely going to hear a lot from this band.Christer Roos/Agony Zine, Sweden************************BELLTOWN "DESILLUSION DAY" (Artist of the month)Belltown is a heavy quartet from Gothenburg in western Sweden.Their style is unique in combining ultra heavy distorted grooves withheavy poetry, guitar, and hooks. From their long list of influences onecan mention inspiration from bands as the Foo Fighters, Deftones, Helmet, Tool and fellow Gothenburgians, Mary Beats Jane. Founded in1997 by bassist Christian Lundqvist, the band aquired lead vocalist,Daniel Palm and drummer Damir Bandic in 1998 and finally Martin Blom in 1999. One of the things that was the biggest surprise, was that I couldn't tellthe band was from Sweden! Their lyrics were in accent-less English, adding an even more ironic twist for the deeper thinkers out there...we all have the same issues we deal with regardless of the country orculture. The songs that were available at Belltown's official homepagewere all excellent and creative. Their EP"Desillusion Day" is a heavy melting pot for poetry and rock. Their poetry reflects on the darker side of life. Very similar to Tool or Rage. Odd time signatures, layering, and crunching guitar over the top of poetic lyrics make Belltowns sound a ripe pick for headbangers looking for a good band.To date, Belltown has had great press, with some calling Belltowns music "Aggressive and emotional with a constant balance between the aggressive and brutal versus the mellow and fragile. Belltowns strength lies in this balance". Belltown has a lot of promise as a successful band if Europe's harder rock scene is as lively as it is in the US, and I look forward to their next release. By Pat Ferris / Hotbands.com, US

Location Gothenburg, sweden - Sweden

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