Orange is the New Black Metal
This is my second outing this week dipping into Babylonian mythology with our friends Oranssi Pazuzu, as they take their name from the wind demon associated with that time in history. The new album is called ‘Mestarin Kynsi’ which translates as ‘The Master’s Claw’ and the idea behind it is of a world where mind control is used to herd people and use them for the master’s own nefarious ends. I would say it is happening right now, and there is no need to imagine it. A cause for national embarrassment as dangerous games are being played at the expense of others, but we have been blinded by the veneer that hides deep fractures in our lives. Apologies in advance as I’m using the internet to translate, sorry for any errors.
Opener ‘Ilmestys’ depicts the arrival of the dark power that will infiltrate our world. The ‘creature from the deep’ gurgle narrates the gory details and you are sucked into this very hippy, trippy yet chic unique song that is further enhanced and entranced by the use of synthesisers and sequencers to produce the invasion of the body snatchers feel. As for the abrupt slit your throat end, there is no chance of a last request.
It is time to partake in ‘’Tyhjyyden Sakramentti’ or the ‘Sacrament Of Emptiness’ which sums up the nature of the façade that is being constructed here. Once you drink from this cup, there is no return, be ready for the claustrophobic and chaotic descent to Lord only knows where. It is reminiscent of Bauhaus; I half expected Bela Lugosi to appear. From 3.20 onwards the format is quite psychedelic and experimental as the song ebbs and flows, in an obscure fashion, but that is applicable to the other songs too.
The dark master emerges to call the faithful and initiate them into his distorted world. The video for ‘Uusi Teknokratia’ or ‘A New Technocracy’ comes complete with Gotham City like animation, the taste of ink and blood are inextricably combined and as for the sinister grin at 2.37, wake me when it’s over. The drum and bass beats are throbbing like a busted blood vessel as they take centre stage and steer the carnage into a mad, mad world.
Beneath the ‘Oikeamielisten Sali’ or ‘Hall Of The Righteous’ we can maybe hear voices underground as suggested in ‘Kuulen Ȁȁniȁ Maan Alta’ the former turning out to be film theme material. I think if Dario Argento made ‘Inferno’ or ‘Suspiria’ today, then this would be a strong contender for the score. The tenebrous vibes permeate, complimenting the underground voices, adding to their curious and vicious nature. There is a jarring rasp at 3.40 in ‘O.S’ as singer Jun-His reaches into his throat and rips out his windpipe. It is a mess of mangled circuitry, but one that makes this a truly mind flip record, beauty and the beast go hand in hand. ‘KAMA’ is the penultimate track and mutates from disco fusion to psycho-metal- would get on the dancefloor with these guys? It is sci-fi, other-worldly and adequately fills the vacuous black hole.
The finale to this grotesque scenario is ‘Taivaan Portti’ roughly translating to ‘The Celestial Gates Of Heaven’ where the inviting, endless white light signifies the end of a long, complex and ethereal journey into a parallel world, that is not as far from our reality as you might think. Musically it is quite primal and industrial and sits well in this intricate and at times bizarre record. Oranssi Pazuzu have harvested the inner most workings of our souls, whether good , bad or indifferent, they have orchestrated a walk where angels fear to tread and they can proclaim a slam-dunk victory at a time when things are not quite what they seem. You don’t need mind altering drugs – spinning this three times a day, with food, will see you right.
Azra Pathan
Oranssi Pazuzu – Mestarin Kynsi out now via Nuclear Blast.