ALBUM REVIEW: Muuntautuja – Oranssi Pazuzu

Anxiety inducing. Uneasy. Suffocating. All delightful adjectives that many would find truly incomprehensible as something you might enjoy listening, yet for Finland’s ORANSSI PAZUZU, are adjectives that have always fitted perfectly and meant in the highest of compliment.

Since their debut back in 2011, the psychedelic, avant-garde black metal outlet has confused the masses in an endearing manner and whilst this is to be expected of an avant-garde sub-genre, the quintet have always managed to not only find something new to explore but also do it with such precision, be that through release Valonielu’s space rock sound or previous record Mestarin kynsi.

Sixth full-length Muuntautuja translates to ‘shapeshifter’, which describes both the band’s musical timeline and the album seamlessly and although this is one of their shorter releases, manages to still fit in so many twists and turns untouched by the band before. The album artwork is also a great visual representation of the audio adventure the listener is about to embark on with crashing yet flowing waters of sonic power.

The abrasive nature of 2016’s Värähtelijä was incredibly complex with a frantic feeling, and though the more electronic nature of 2020’s Mestarin kynsi returns in this record, there is something more straightforward about the claustrophobia it causes. Perhaps to compare Muuntautuja to its predecessors, think being buried alive with the constant smashing of rocks falling on you, versus the suffocation of a slow yet sinister pool of water washing you away.

Opener Bioalkemisti initiates the progressive build up with an industrial tinge akin to the likes of GODFLESH, with haunting chanting vocals creating an layers upon layers of atmosphere, before leading into the title track, which really starts to showcase how the band have taken self-admitted inspiration from wider genres and artists like DEATH GRIPS, to utilise minimalism and a lo-fi noise that creates a further darkness for what the band describe as a “nightmarish rave soundtrack”. Longest track Ikikäärme is true testament to ORANSSI’s experimental flair, an incarnation from chilled pianos and jazzy drums into a swirling frenzy of synths, distorted bass and blackened growls that captures how this album came out of live improvised jams from their previous tours.

Don’t let this flurry of band references fluster you though, the black metal that ORANSSI PAZAZU initially birthed from is still splashed throughout the waves of synths, trip-hop and ambience, with tracks such as Voitelu and Volutus focusing more prominently on the menacing shrieks, unnervingly chaotic guitars and a consistent buzz of crashing drums like ALTARS OF PLAGUES or later ULVER albums.

Despite coming in at just under forty-five minutes in length, this may be one of ORANSSI PAZUZU’s most expansive albums – a cacophony of soundscapes that ebb and flow without losing momentum as can be the case for some more psychedelic approaches and short enough to ensure you feel substantially spooked. The band’s press release references the combination of influences creating a tripped-out alien and honestly, whatever bizarre journey that creature is on, feel free to take us to your leader.

Rating: 9/10

Muuntautuja is out now via Nuclear Blast Records. 

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