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Reviews

Höyry-Kone — Huono Parturi
(Ad Perpetuam Memoriam APM 9720, 1997, CD)

Huono Parturi Cover art

Being no expert on Scandinavian bands certainly left me unprepared for what was in store on this release by Höyry-Kone, with their strange (and perhaps unprecedented) juxtaposition of metallic and folkloric musical elements. What impresses me is how unflinchingly Huono Parturi declares its message. This is not British, French, or anything from Continental Europe to be sure, but something far more pagan — something that exudes ancientness, whose rough-hewn sound is shaped by the calloused hand that defines its character, the stout robust image of the viking! I hear hints of slight similarities to Zamla, Kansas, 90s Crimson, Magma, and Jethro Tull. On the one hand this group can be thrashy metal and mean as a Doberman pinscher. Most often they seem at home flexing their galvanized steel muscles like a deranged Crimson with folk and chamber moves, while also showing a silly side, proving humor doesn't escape their grasp either. Flute and violin add acoustic textures that make me tolerate the music a lot longer than I otherwise would. But how they utilize these instruments in such a dense context is anything but conventional. Time will tell whether they really make an impact or not, but at least sincerity is assured. I have never heard anything quite like this before.

by Mike Ezzo, Published 1998-07-01

Hyönteisiä Voi Rakastaa being one of 1995's most exciting new releases, I eagerly awaited Höyry-Kone's second offering. At last it's here, and it is an impressive effort, but it's not by any means Hyönteisiä Voi Rakastaa part two. The good news is the band chose to emphasize certain elements of their debut that set them apart. The bad news (for me, anyway) is that the elements that impressed me most (namely, the oboe and keyboards) are now gone. The avant-garde 5uu's-ish feel of their debut is completely absent for Huono Parturi, replaced by a sound that is (by comparison) stripped-down, but by no means austere. The sonic emphasis on the new album, instrumentally, is on the strings and the dual-guitar interplay. And I would certainly have to regret it if I did not mention the dramatic vocal skills of Topi Lehtipuu, one of the most satisfying singers to come around in quite a while. The ethereal sounds at the beginning of "Beata Viscera" serve as the perfect stark background for his achingly emotional voice. Plus, the brass-band section near the end shows they still have a few surprises up their sleeve. Very nice. So, will fans of the first like this one too? Well, I did, so I can say at least some will. Suffice to say, if you know what to expect from this album, you will not be disappointed.

by Mike Ohman, Published 1998-07-01

First of all, you've got to hand it to Höyry-Kone, they are really setting standards for truly original music these days. When you try to review an album and come to a loss of words on how to describe it, you think they're probably doing something right. It's hard to be original these days. Their music ranges far and wide. It's definitely progressive rock, their use of dissonant and unusual scales takes the whole away from your usual simple and familiar melodies. The vocals take some getting used to, they're distinctive in an operatic sense, a style artsy enough to capture some listeners and alienate others. While I don't see credits (I could have missed them), there are some weird moments with what sound like horns. This is definitely music as an experimental art form, the average symphonic rock fan probably won't stand up and shoot their fist into the air. There are fleeting influences of Magma and French or Italian progressive rock and at times the music gets heavy and pounding, giving occasional resemblance to peninsula-mates Anekdoten. Overall, this is one to take and play many times, listening to soak up the complexity. Fascinating and extreme, this will capture the minds of those looking for something more visceral.

by Mike McLatchey, Published 1998-07-01

Filed under: New releases, Issue 15, 1997 releases

Related artist(s): Höyry-Kone

 

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