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The Band
The Finnish
band Xysma was formed in 1988 in the Southwestern city of
Naantali. Shortly after, the band relocates to nearby Turku. The
original members of the band were vocalist Janitor Mustasch
(Janitor Muurinen), guitarists Thee Stranius (Toni Stranius),
Olivier Lawny (Olli Nurminen), bassist Vesa Litti, who would
exit Xysma in 1992 and would be replaced by Dr. Heavenly (Kalle
Taivainen) and drummer Marvellous Sydney Safe (Teppo Pulli).
Xysma was
originally called Repulse and is known to have been the first
Finnish grindcore band. Initially, their sound was very close to
that of Carcass, but through their five albums, one EP, one 7”,
and one 12" mLP they experienced an impressive sound evolution
that saw them toying with genres as diverse as 70’s psychedelic
rock, pop, and progressive rock.
Their
recordings started with the 1989 Carcass worshipping demo
Swarming the Maggots, after which they released two more
death metal oriented EP’s Above the Mind of Morbidity
(Comeback) and Fata Morgana (Seraphic Decay). Their first
full-length was titled Yeah (Comeback) and was a
cross of Black Sabbath and the death metal sound that was being
fermented around the time by bands like Entombed, Unleashed,
Amorphis and Dismember. By 1992, Xysma had changed musically and
releases First & Magical (Comeback) which adds lots of
melodies and deeper rock and roll grooves to the songs.
In 1993 they
released Deluxe (Spinefarm), which approximates to the
stiff sounds of Helmet. In 1996 Xysma releases what is their
boldest work, Lotto (Spinefarm and thru Relapse in the
States). A strange piece of music by any standards, Lotto
manages to confuse their fanbase even more, leaving many on the
trail and picking up a few non-metalheads on the way. In 1995
Xysma releases a covers EP titled Singles and a year
later they unleash their last full-length Girl On the Beach
(Spinefarm) with a very accessible pop rock sound.
The Record
Lotto
starts off with “Shortest Route” and from the first few seconds
of that short riff, that incisive drum beat and that swirling
psychedelic guitar is clear that this is no metal record.
Another thing is evident; the sound achieved during production
is rather strange. It is at times difficult to get over the
muffled sound of every instrument, vocals included. And it is
even more difficult getting over the drum sound which is tiny
and on occasion gets dwarfed by every other instrument,
including its very own cymbals! But the songs are immediate and
catchy, and for a band with a grind core past, rather expert at
transmitting certain veritable rock and roll sensibilities.
“Shortest Route” rocks; it’s based on a simplistic linear riff,
but there is boogey to the melody and a chunky layer of
psychedelic sounds softening Xysma’s jagged edges.
“We Just Came
Inside” explodes after a guitars gets plugged. This is a rougher
cut, with a very aggressive and speedy side to it that sort of
conceals itself during the chorus. The vocals of Mustasch are
raspy and deep as if he was singing from the stomach up. Not
sure if it is just him at the mike but during the chorus there
is a friendlier voice. “Do’n’do” should have been the band’s hit
if there ever was one. Like “Shortest Route”, it’s based around
a very short riff but it’s got a bigger hook. The vocal lines
are exquisite with Mustasch channeling Elvis and guitarists
Stranius and Lawny playing it nicely and awkwardly; like during
the beginner’s solo in the middle of the song. Great touch.
“New Gel in
Town” is another straight up rocker; boogey friendly riffs flash
by and a swift and simple soloing guitar at chorus time
preceeding this approach later perfected by Queens of the Stone
Age. Yes, I shit you not. Mustasch doing his best Elvis
impersonation leads the troops with much attitude. Two minutes
in, “New Gel in Town” comes to a fake end and starts up again
only to come stronger. The instrumental song “Aquanaut” starts
low, psychedelically evoking the feeling of being trapped
underwater, yet not fully making an effort of wanting to come to
surface.
“Shoes” is
downright bizarre. A deep bassline serves as the backdrop for
what sounds like a rock and roll lounge song. There is some funk
in the strings, yet the tempo is totally fucked up. The drums
sound way off and this gives the song a rather uncomfortable
feeling. It could be named as the first of Lotto’s
faults, but in an album packed with weirdness, what does it
mean? “One Hell of a Man” is assuring. A cocky guitar tune with
a bitter Elvis persona at the mike and some lounge keyboard
thrown in to great effect during the chorus. It’s a cool idea,
but clearly, the best half of Lotto is already over.
“The Tram”
revives things a bit. With its directness and straight ahead
vigor Xysma seems intent on pulling no gimmicks. And they don’t
but the result is average at best. “Millionaire” seems to rehash
older ideas; a short twangy riff that works continually to get
to a rising chorus. This is a solid song. Arguably the best
material from the second half of the album. Lotto closes
with “Bravado”; a trippy laid back tune that after much
battling gets guitar heavy and reveals a somewhat pissed off
Mustasch. It’s as weird as the weirdest material of this record,
and it seems to be over after five minutes but quiet psychedelic
sounds persist for about five minutes more and the track itself
isn’t over after more than twenty minutes. Lotto is far
from perfect. It is by no means a flawless album. But what it
captures is one of the first European extreme bands taking a
leap of faith and giving it all, straying away from their roots
in search of a more personal sound. And the result is at times
is elating. At others almost catastrophic. But nevertheless,
Lotto is the album that made Xysma the cult band they are
now.
The After
There is not a
lot information floating around regarding this band. Even their
MySpace page features very little content and very few pictures
of the band exist. What is known is that quickly after the
release of Girl On the Beach Xysma called it quits due to
internal tensions. Since, Xysma has acquired cult status.
Tragically, guitarist Toni Stranius died of a heart attack in
Ireland on July 7, 2006. He was thirty six years old. Xysma has
since their break up performed live a few times but at this time
there appear to be no plans for a reunion.
You can buy
copies of Lotto for about $2 on Half.com.
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