Finnish metallers OZ return with their first new material in 26 years and also a new line-up. Transition State will be available via AFM Records from October 27, 2017.
It really is a time of transition for Finnish heavy metal cult act OZ. The band, founded and led by drummer Mark Ruffneck, now finally appears back on the surface with a new studio album – which is not only their first all-new songs release since 1991 (!) but also featured a new line-up.
“When OZ’ North American club tour ended in May 2013 and we were flying back to Sweden, we were facing the worst reality shock in our lives. Our family members were fighting against cancer and they were losing their fights”, OZ drummer and founding member Mark Ruffneck recalls.
“All core members of OZ were getting that kind of family issues so we saw ourselves forced to put the band on the hold. To get control over our situations was very time consuming and simply didn’t leave us any time to concentrate on music sadly. Our Swedish guitar players Michel Santunione, John Berg and also Jay C Blade stand-in Johannes Sandberg were focusing their own music projects and then also it turned out that Ape DeMartini (vocals) wouldn’t find the time to write the next OZ chapter with me. Things in a way came full circle when I got in touch with a pack of young, hungry musicians from OZ’ old hometown Pori/Björneborg in Finland, so we can say that we were going back to OZ roots. We organized a band meeting with Johnny Cross (guitar), Juzzy Kangas (guitar) and Peppi Peltola (bass), made some plans for the future and started rehearsing together”, Ruffneck states.
The new line-up started writing new songs right away and not so much later already had enough songs for a new album. As a replacement for Ape DeMartini, Vince Kojvula took over the vacant position.
Transition State shows a new incarnation of OZ which will disappoint no fan. OZ doesn’t fail to impress with thirteen cracking and fresh, traditional metal tracks of immensely high quality. They are as strong as ever and continue to haunt you with the relentless, uncompromising sound they are known for!
With the help of engineer and producer Mika Borgersen as well as the mixing/ mastering skills of Lars Chriss (Lion’s Share) and Mike Lind, Transition State will become a must-have for all heavy metal maniacs! Six years after OZ returned from their long hiatus with the Burning Leather compilation release (which featured re-recorded classic tracks and a bunch of new songs), OZ now proves with their first all-new album since 1991 that they are still a powerful force to be reckoned with. Enjoy this transition!
PRE-ORDER: TRANSITION STATE
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