Oranssi Pazuzu
Finnish band blending black metal with psychedelic and Krautrock elements.
Oranssi Pazuzu came together in 2007, a Finnish band blending black metal with psychedelic, dark ambient, and Krautrock elements. Their name pulls from the Finnish word for orange ("oranssi") and Pazuzu, a Babylonian wind demon. The original lineup featured vocalist and guitarist Juho "Jun-His" Vanhanen, drummer Jarkko "Korjak" Salo, guitarist Moit, keyboardist and percussionist Ville "Evil" Leppilahti, and bassist Toni "Ontto" Hietamäki. Moit left in 2016, replaced by Niko "Ikon" Lehdontie, who also plays in Kairon; IRSE!.
The band recorded their first album, *Muukalainen puhuu*, in 2008 at Korjak's family cabin, releasing it in 2009 through Violent Journey Records. A split LP with Candy Cane followed in 2009. Their second full-length, *Kosmonument*, came out via Spinefarm in 2011. *Valonielu*, produced and engineered by London's Jaime Gomez Arellano, was issued by Svart in 2013. *Värähtelijä* arrived in 2016 to positive reviews from AllMusic, Pitchfork, and Spin. That same year, Lehdontie joined first as a live member, then permanently. The EP *Kevät / Värimyrsky* dropped in 2017. Their fifth album, *Mestarin kynsi*, came out in 2020. Two members of Oranssi Pazuzu and two from Dark Buddha Rising formed the side project Atomikylä; the band is also part of the Wastement collective. Their sixth studio album, *Muuntautuja*, released in 2024, was widely praised by critics for its unpredictability, originality, and darker tone, with many calling it an improvement over their 2020 work.
Critics describe their sound as a mix of black metal, psychedelic rock, space rock, and progressive metal. AllMusic's James Christopher Monger noted this fusion, while Loudwire's Jordan Blum called them "among the most fascinatingly idiosyncratic and fearless groups" in the genre. Refused drummer David Sandstrom cited them as his favorite band. Current members are Vanhanen, Salo, Hietamäki, Leppilahti, and Lehdontie; former guitarist Timo "Moit" Alatalo played from 2007 to 2016. Their discography includes six studio albums, one EP, one split, two compilation appearances, and four official videos.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Tampere, Finland
- Genre
- Psychedelic black metal, avant-garde metal, dark ambient
- Years Active
- –present
- Label
- Violent Journey · Svart · 20 Buck Spin · Nuclear Blast
- Spinoffs
- Atomikylä / Waste of Space Orchestra
- Current Members
- Korjak / Ikon / Evil / Ontto / Jun-His
- Past Members
- Moit
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Oranssi Pazuzu was formed in 2007 by vocalist and guitarist Juho 'Jun-His' Vanhanen, drummer Jarkko 'Korjak' Salo, guitarist Moit, keyboardist and percussionist Ville 'Evil' Leppilahti, and bassist Toni 'Ontto' Hietamäki. The band recorded their debut album, Muukalainen puhuu, in 2008 in Korjak's family cabin, releasing it in 2009 via Violent Journey Records. A split LP with Candy Cane followed in 2009. Their second album, Kosmonument, was released in 2011 through Spinefarm, and Valonielu, produced by Jaime Gomez Arellano, came out in 2013 on Svart.
In 2016, guitarist Moit left the band and was replaced by Niko 'Ikon' Lehdontie of Kairon; IRSE!, first as a live member and later full-time. That same year, the band released Värähtelijä, which received positive reviews from AllMusic, Pitchfork, and Spin. In 2017, they issued the EP Kevät / Värimyrsky. Their fifth album, Mestarin kynsi, was released in 2020. Two members of Oranssi Pazuzu and two members of Dark Buddha Rising formed the band Atomikylä, and Oranssi Pazuzu is part of the Wastement collective.
Reader's Guide
Oranssi Pazuzu's significance lies in their distinctive fusion of black metal with psychedelia, dark ambient, and Krautrock, a style that has earned them recognition as one of the greatest progressive black metal bands of all time. AllMusic's James Christopher Monger described their music as a combination of black metal, psychedelic rock, space rock, and progressive metal. Jordan Blum of Loudwire called them 'among the most fascinatingly idiosyncratic and fearless groups' in the genre. Their albums, particularly Värähtelijä (2016) and Muuntautuja (2024), received widespread critical praise for their originality and unpredictability. The band's legacy is further underscored by the influence noted by Refused drummer David Sandstrom, who cited Oranssi Pazuzu as his favorite band. Their membership in the Wastement collective and the formation of the side project Atomikylä with members of Dark Buddha Rising highlight their collaborative role in the Finnish experimental metal scene.
Did You Know?
- The band's name combines the Finnish word for orange, 'oranssi', with Pazuzu, a wind demon from Babylonian mythology.
- Their debut album was recorded in drummer Korjak's family cabin in 2008.
- Guitarist Niko 'Ikon' Lehdontie joined in 2016 from fellow Finnish band Kairon; IRSE!.
- Refused drummer David Sandstrom cited Oranssi Pazuzu as his favorite band.
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