Album Academy

Let’s talk Oranssi Pazuzu. This Finnish group constantly redefines the bounds of black metal. Their new album Muuntautuja is certainly no exception. Boarding the line between black metal, deep psy trance, and noise, this group is a nightmarish inclusion into the community. While more on the niche side, they are a fascinating group. Scattered through the album are moments of industrial machines from the infernal depths of hell. There is no peace to be found in any of their albums. 

Muuntautuja is a journey into the fiery depths of Satan’s heart. Between the gregorian chanting and demonic fry vocals, you’ll find distorted instruments that seem to speak in tongues. The band manages to keep you in for the ride though. By the time you make it to the namesake song, Muuntautuja has already shown its colors. The song starts with a simple rock beat, then slowly adds sci-fi trills. A choppy bass pulls you straight into an almost whisper. Psychedelic wouldn’t quite be the words to describe the horrors experienced. Dissonant chords grow to fill the space until all hell is unleashed. 

I hope you’re ready to slay some demons. Once the more analog instruments kick in, you’re fighting. Oranssi Pazuzu is here to make you angry. They’re here to make you scared. Either way, it’s a fucking adventure through the viscera and gore that makes horror music so terrifying.

The chaos of the album constantly leaves you guessing about what fresh torture is next. Voitelu may remind you of a certain knived-finger maniac that haunts your nightmares, as a chorus of seemingly out of place piano brings you deeper into the dreamscape. Sounds of furnaces and machinery are enough to break down even the toughest of horror villains.

While I certainly could not talk higher of Oranssi Pazuzu, I will also add, it’s not for everyone. It genuinely takes a certain kind of metal enjoyer to see the beauty they add to the music. The music production is absolutely flawless, but part of the charm (I find) is that it feels as though it had been buried hundreds of feet deep in the Earth to suffer and is climbing its way out. This may be one of few albums I will give a genuine warning about. If psychedelic nightmares and bad acid trips aren’t your thing, maybe avoid this one, especially if using those substances. 

If you are looking at giving some appreciation to the stranger side of music, definitely give this one a shot. Hautatuuli gives some sick jazz grooves to start off your nightmare. It’s easily the kindest introduction to the band off this album. Don’t just take my word for it! Give it a whirl and let me know what you think in the comments!