Oranssi Pazuzu

In the organizer's words:

Oranssi Pazuzu fuse hypnotic krautrock rhythms with the chaotic intensity of black metal. Their boundary-pushing sound design weaves complex textures with dark timbres into a hypnotic maelstrom, emphasizing an understanding of sound as a multidimensional entity. Their latest album "Muuntautuja" delivers deeply immersive and otherworldly sonic experiences that confound and expand notions of what contemporary metal can be: riffs, blastbeats and brutal noise meet ratcheted, almost sculptural sound design that thrives on contradictions by being simultaneously mechanical and organic, dreamy and nightmarish. At its fluctuating core, Muuntautuja embodies themes of transformation and existential contemplation, looking through a dark lens at mortality, our utter cosmic insignificance and the amoeba-like fluidity of identity. These thematic depths are reflected in the compositions, which oscillate between immersive minimalism and explosive chaotic climaxes.

Insect Ark move between heaviness and atmosphere. From bass, lap steel guitar and haunting vocals, they create profound soundscapes. Originally founded by multi-instrumentalist and composer Dana Schechter (Swans, Angels of Light), the band now consists of Schechter and legendary drummer Tim Wyskida, who is known for his work with Khanate and Blind Idiot God, among others. The fourth Insect Ark album "Raw Blood Singing" is a wonderful further development of their sound: swirling doomgaze whips meet experimental textures and a finely crafted dramaturgy of dynamics and emotions.