Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin Kynsi ALBUM REVIEW

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Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin kynsi
 
From Finland, the demonic Oranssi Pazuzu make their debut on Nuclear Blast Records with Mestarin Kynsi, their fifth LP. The band's name literally translates to "Orange Pazuzu", referencing a mythological entity from Mesopotamian myths.
 
Oranssi Pazuzu have been testing the waters of an unprecedented style of black metal for the greater part of their discography. The last release of this ongoing experiment was Värähtelijä: an atmospheric amalgamation of vague, space-walk, alien-chase horror; and a bad trip you had, high on those crappy space cakes that one friend brought along with portable disco lights to the small party you arranged last Saturday. The only downside to that record was the atrocious production. Everything was compressed beyond belief, even in places where it didn't need to be. It greatly reduced my appreciation of that record. Mestarin Kynsi takes, rather unprecedentedly, a less atmospheric approach to the music., and more in-your-face aggressive, more balls-to-the-wall heavy. The decision to make the record different from previous efforts might have influenced the production, because it is light-years better than in Värähtelijä. This beast sends you down to the sludge, not up to space. You swim in filth, and get chased by the horrors that inhabit said filth while listening to this record.
 
Oranssi Pazuzu finally has released an album I can praise as much as I always wanted to. I had big, big hopes for this project ever since I first stumbled upon it. I suspect last year's brilliant collaboration with Dark Buddha Rising, titled Waste of Space Orchestra - Syntheosis, recharged the band's creativity. Brilliant work Pazuzu.
 
Verdict: Buy it on vinyl

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Lex Fonseca
Music is the closest you can get to a waking dream, isn't it? Let's explore that, shall we.

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