2020 in Scandinavian music

The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in Scandinavian music in 2020.
(Go to last year in Scandinavian music or next year in Scandinavian music.)

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Events

January

• 1 January – The 2020 season of Denmark's X Factor competition is launched.[1]
• 16 January – The Royal Swedish Opera appointes Alan Gilbert as its next music director; his tenure will begin in spring 2021.[2]

February

• 9 February – Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir becomes the first woman for twenty years, and only the fourth of all time, to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score, which is awarded for her score for Joker.[3][4]
• 29 February – The Söngvakeppnin final, held in Reykjavik, is won by Gagnamagnið with the song "Think About Things". The winners do not go on to represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest because of the COVID-19 pandemic that causes the whole contest to be cancelled.[5]

March

• 7 March
  • The Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 is held in Copenhagen, hosted by Hella Joof and Rasmus Bjerg,[6] but without a live audience as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark[7]
  • Aksel Kankaanranta wins the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu and is selected as Finland's representative in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest (later cancelled), with the song "Looking Back".[8]
• 16 March – Alexi Laiho and Daniel Freyberg announce the formation of a new heavy metal supergroup, Bodom After Midnight, also including drummer Waltteri Vayrynen and bassist Mitja Toivonen.[9]
• 30 March – Finnish band Dark the Suns announce they are re-forming by releasing a preview of their new single.[10]

April

• 23 April – Swedish singer Sigrid is among those participating in the recording of a charity single, "Times Like These", by the "Live Lounge Allstars". The single goes to no 1 in the UK charts and does well in other European and North American charts.[11]

May

• 16 May – In a special vote, BBC viewers select ABBA's 1974 Eurovision-winning song, "Waterloo", as the best Eurovision song of all time.[12]

Albums released

January

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
10	Cell-0	Apocalyptica	Silver Lining Music	First album after a 4-year break	[13]
17	Contemporary Concertos by Pesson, Abrahamsen & Strasnoy	Alexandre Tharaud	Erato	Includes Left, Alone by Hans Abrahamsen	[14]
	To Fathom the Master’s Grand Design	Horned Almighty			[15]
31	Killection	Lordi	AFM Records		[16]

February

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
7	Valittu kansa	Antti Tuisku	Warner Music Finland	Tuisku's sixth number-one album	[17]
14	Telemark (EP)	Ihsahn	Candlelight	First of two companion five-song EPs	[18]
	Splid	Kvelertak	Rise Records	Recorded with Kurt Ballou at Godcity Studio	[19]
21	No Absolution	Lost Society		Co-written with Joonas Parkkonen	[20]

March

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
13	Feeding the Machine	Wolf	Century Media Records		[21]
20	Folkesange	Myrkur	Relapse Records		[22]
	Gothica Fennica, Vol. 1	Ville Valo		EP - First solo release	[23]

April

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
10	Human. :II: Nature.	Nightwish	Nuclear Blast	First album to feature Kai Hahto as an official band member	[24]
17	Global Warning	Turmion Kätilöt	Nuclear Blast		[25]
24	City Burials	Katatonia			[26]

May

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
8	Leaves of Yesteryear	Green Carnation	Season Of Mist	The band's first new album for 14 years	[27]
	Cerecloth	Naglfar	Century Media		[28]
	Black Metal	Witchcraft	Nuclear Blast		[29]
29	Lamenting of the Innocent	Sorcerer	Metal Blade		[30]

June

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
12	We Are the Night	Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall	Frontiers Music Srl	Third album	[31]
26	From a Dying Ember	Falconer	Metal Blade Records	Ninth and final studio album	[32]

July

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
3	All That She Wants: The Classic Collection	Ace of Base	Edsel (Demon Music Group)	Commemorative box set	[33]
10	Thalassic	Ensiferum			[34]
17	Grim	Dark Sarah			[35]

August

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
7	Hunter Gatherer	Avatar	eOne Music		[36]

September

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
18	Vredesvävd	Finntroll	Century Media Records		[37]

October

Day	Album	Artist	Label	Notes	Ref.
2	Utgard	Enslaved	Nuclear Blast		[38]
9	Dawn of the Damned	Necrophobic	Century Media	Video directed by Magnus Göthlund	[39]
30	Under a Godless Veil	Draconian	Napalm Records		[40]

Eurovision Song Contest

• Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020
• Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020
• Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020
• Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020
• Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020

Classical works

• Hildur Guðnadóttir – Illimani[41]
• Anders Hillborg – Through Lost Landscapes[42]
• Bent Sørensen – Enchantress (5 intermezzi for orchestra)[43]

Deaths

• 3 January – Bo Winberg, 80, Swedish guitarist (The Spotnicks)[44]
• 26 January – Santtu Lonka, 41, Finnish former drummer of To/Die/For[45]
• 6 February – Ola Magnell, 74, Swedish singer and guitarist[46]
• 9 February – Margareta Hallin, 88, Swedish opera singer, composer and actress[47]
• 18 February – Jon Christensen, 76, Norwegian jazz drummer[48]
• 27 February – Jahn Teigen, 70, Norwegian singer internationally known for his performance in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest[49]
• 3 March – Alf Cranner, 83, Norwegian folk singer[50]
• 28 March – Kerstin Behrendtz, 69, radio presenter and music director (COVID-19)[51]
• 14 April – Kerstin Meyer, 92, Swedish mezzo-soprano.[52]
• 3 May – Bob Lander, 78, Swedish rock musician (The Spotnicks)[53]
• 5 May – Kjell Karlsen, 88, Norwegian composer and bandleader.[54]
• 20 May – Malin Gjörup, 56, Swedish operatic mezzo-soprano and actress (cerebral haemorrhage)[55]
• 21 May – Berith Bohm, 87, Swedish opera singer[56]
• 7 June – Edith Thallaug, 90, Norwegian mezzo-soprano and actress[57]
• 27 June – Mats Rådberg, 72, Swedish singer[58]

References

1. "Samme dommere i næste års 'X Factor'". underholdning TV. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
2. "Conductor Alan Gilbert Named Next Music Director of Royal Swedish Opera". Opera News. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
3. Brown, August (9 February 2020). "'Joker' composer Hildur Guðnadóttir first woman in 20 years to win Academy Award for original score". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
4. Wilson, Jordan (9 February 2020). "Oscars: Hildur Gudnadóttir Becomes First Woman to Win Best Original Score". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
5. "Iceland chooses Daði & Gagnamagnið!". Eurovision.tv. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
6. Luukela, Sami (20 January 2020). "🇩🇰 First songs for Denmark's Melodi Grand Prix 2020 out". escxtra.
7. Ritzau (6 March 2020). "Myndigheder vil aflyse arrangementer med over 1000 mennesker". Berlingske (in Danish). Retrieved 6 March 2020.
8. Robyn Gallagher (7 March 2020). "Finland: Aksel Kankaanranta wins UMK 2020 with "Looking Back"". wiwibloggs. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
9. "Former Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho launches new band, Bodom After Midnight". Blabbermouth. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
10. "Dark The Suns to release new single "Suru Raivosi Sydämeni Pimeydessä" on May 21st 2020". Grande Rock. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
11. "Times Like These | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
12. "Eurovision: Abba's Waterloo voted best song of all time". BBC News. 16 May 2020.
13. "APOCALYPTICA To Release 'Cell-0' Album In January; 'Ashes Of The Modern World' Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
14. "Contemporary Concertos by Pesson, Abrahamsen & Strasnoy". Presto Classical. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
15. "HORNED ALMIGHTY Try 'To Fathom the Master's Grand Design'". Metal Addicts. January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
16. "Lordi Envision Greater Longevity With 'Killection' Album". Loudwire. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
17. Hätinen, Jukka. "Antti Tuisku julkaisi provokatiivisen pop-timantin – arviossa Valittu kansa". Pop Media. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
18. "IHSAHN To Release First Of Two New EPs In February". Blabbermouth.net. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
19. "KVELERTAK To Release 'Splid' Album In February". Blabbermouth.net. November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
20. "Lost Society new album 'No Absolution" out February 21st". Rock 'n' Load. December 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
21. "WOLF Joined By KING DIAMOND Bassist, Ex-HAMMERFALL Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
22. "MYRKUR To Release 'Folkesange' Album In March". Blabbermouth.net. January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
23. Scott Munro (March 20, 2020). "HIM's Ville Valo returns with new three-track EP Gothica Fennica Vol. 1". Louder Sound. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
24. "Kerromme teille nyt ilouutisen: Nightwishin uusi studioalbumi on valmis". Soundi. January 10, 2020. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
25. "TURMION KÄTILÖT Sign To Nuclear Blast, Announce New Studio Album "Global Warning"". metalshockfinland.com. December 21, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
26. "KATATONIA To Release 'City Burials' Album In April". Blabbermouth.net. January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
27. "GREEN CARNATION To Release First New Album In 14 Years, 'Leaves Of Yesteryear', In May". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
28. "NAGLFAR Re-Sign With Century Media Records; Cerecloth Album To Be Released In May". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
29. "Witchcraft To Release Acoustic Album "Black Metal", Debut "Elegantly Expressed Depression"". ThePRP. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
30. "SORCERER To Release Lamenting Of The Innocent Album In May; "The Hammer Of Witches" Music Video Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. March 19, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
31. "Magnus Karlsson's FREE FALL To Release We Are The Night Album In May; "Hold Your Fire" Feat. DINO JELUSICK Streaming Now". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. March 12, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
32. "Falconer reveals details for new album, 'From a Dying Ember'". metalblade.com.
33. "Ace of Base / All That She Wants: The Classic Collection 11CD+DVD box". SuperDeluxeEdition.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
34. "ENSIFERUM To Release Thalassic Album In July; "Rum, Women, Victory" Lyric Video Posted". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
35. "DARK SARAH Feat. Former AMBERIAN DAWN Singer HEIDI PARVIAINEN: 'Grim' Album Due In July". Blabbermouth.net. March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
36. "Avatar Set August Release For New Album "Hunter Gatherer", Teaser Available". ThePRP. May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
37. James Weaver (June 25, 2020). "Finntroll announce new album 'Vredesvävd'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
38. Scott Munro (July 10, 2020). "Enslaved explore the spectacular landscapes of Iceland in video for Jettegryta". Louder Sound. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
39. "Necrophobic Debut "Mirror Black" Video, New Album Due In October". ThePRP. July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
40. "DRACONIAN To Release Under A Godless Veil Album In October; Details Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
41. David Wright (2020-01-29). "Bang on a Can All-Stars ace four premieres in Ecstatic Music anniversary concert". New York Classical Review. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
42. "Through Lost Landscapes". Faber Music. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
43. "BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, 11 January 2020 programme". BBC. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
44. Gitarrlegendaren Bo Winberg död (in Swedish)
45. "TO/DIE/FOR Drummer SANTTU LONKA Passes, R.I.P." Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
46. "Artisten och låtskrivaren Ola Magnell är död". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 6 February 2020.
47. "Operasångerskan Margareta Hallin är död". SVT Nyheter (in Swedish). 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
48. "Jon Christensen er død". dagbladet (in Norwegian). 18 February 2020.
49. "Jahn Teigen er død". VG (in Norwegian). 25 February 2020.
50. "Visesangeren Alf Cranner er død 83 år gammel" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 3 March 2020.
51. Lindqvist, Johan (28 March 2020). "Radiolegendaren Kerstin Behrendtz har avlidit i corona". gp.se. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
52. "Operasångerskan Kerstin Meyer död". Dagens Nyheter. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
53. Sångaren Bob Lander i The Spotnicks död (in Swedish)
54. Orkesterleder Kjell Karlsen er død (in Norwegian)
55. Swedish Mezzo & Manager Malin Gjörup Dies, Aged 56
56. "Operettstjärnan Berith Bohm har avlidit". 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020 – via SVT Nyheter.
57. Operasångaren Edith Thallaug-Benczy är död (in Norwegian)
58. "Artisten Mats Rådberg är död". SVT Newheter (in Swedish). 27 June 2020.