Back at the end of October, we reported that the Nordic nations had set-up a prize similar to our very own Mercury, to give recognition and cold hard cash for the best album in a given time period and given geographical area. That was a step in the right direction, given all the recent cooperation between the various export offices. The list of acts from each country has now been revealed and it's a good lot, as you'd expect.

The 50 candidates so far are below. Only 12 of these will be nominated overall.

Sweden:

• Familjen - Mänskligheten • The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a scheme • Robyn - Body Talk • Anna von Hausswolff - Singing From The Grave • Håkan Hellström - 2 Steg från Paradise • Dungen - Skit i Allt • The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt • First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue • This Is Head - 0001 • Watain - Lawless Darkness

Finland:

• Minä ja Ville Ahonen - Minä ja Ville Ahonen • Uusi Fantasia - Heimo • Magenta Skycode - Relief • Circle - Rautatie • Paleface Helsinki - Shangri-La • Stam1na Viimeinen Atlantis • Jenni Vartiainen - Seili • Pariisin Kevät Astronautti • Jo Stance - Jo Stance • Yona Pilvet Liikkuu, Minä En

Iceland:

• Blood Group - Dry Land • Kimono - Easy Music for Difficult People • Seabear - We Built a Fire • Hjaltalín - Terminal • Ólöf Arnalds - Innundir Skinni • Jónsi - Go Do • Agent Fresco - A Long Time Listening • Retro Stefson - Kimbabwe • Jónas Sigurðsson - Allt er eitthvað • Nolo - No-Lo-Fi

Denmark:

• Under Byen - Alt er Tabt • Agnes Obel - Philharmonics • Murder - Gospel of Man • Chimes and Bells - Chimes and Bells • Trentemøller - Into The Great Wide Yonder • Frisk Frugt - Dansktoppen møder Burkina Faso i det himmelblå rum hvor solen bor, suite • Efterklang - Magic Chairs • Sleep Party People - Sleep Party People • Fallulah - The Black Cat Neighborhood • Bjørn Svin - Browen

Norway

• Shining - Blackjazz • Casiokids - Topp Stemning På Lokal Bar • Susanne Sundfør - The Brothel • Motorpsycho - Heavy Metal Fruit • Lars Vaular - Helt Om Natten, Helt Om Dagen • Serena Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor • Lindstrøm & Christabelle - Real Life is No Cool • Kvelertak - Kvelertak • Kråkesølv - Bomtur til jorda • Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini

And there we have it. The prizegiving will take place at the annual Norwegian industry showcase and festival by:Larm, in 2011. The winner will also get €20,000 in prize money, being unveiled on February 19. Not long to wait but a great list to pick from. More information about it all here.