OPPRESSION

Thrash Metal • Finland

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OPPRESSION was a Finnish thrash metal act from Vantaa, Uusimaa formed in 1987. They disbanded in 1992 after releasing three demos and an EP.

(Biography written by UMUR, 17th of April 2025).

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mika-luoma

Thanks to UMUR for the addition

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OPPRESSION Discography

OPPRESSION albums / top albums

OPPRESSION EPs & splits

3.00 | 1 ratings

Alone
Thrash Metal 1990

OPPRESSION live albums

OPPRESSION demos, promos, fans club and other releases (no bootlegs)

3.50 | 1 ratings

Demo 1988
Thrash Metal 1988

3.50 | 1 ratings

Demo 1989
Thrash Metal 1989

3.00 | 1 ratings

Demo 1990
Thrash Metal 1990

OPPRESSION re-issues & compilations

3.50 | 1 ratings

Scars 1988-1990
Thrash Metal 1990

OPPRESSION singles (0)

OPPRESSION movies (DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS)

OPPRESSION Reviews

OPPRESSION Scars 1988-1990

Boxset / Compilation · 1990 · Thrash Metal

UMUR

"Scars 1988-1990" is a compilation album release by Finnish thrash metal act Oppression. The compilation was released through Xtreem Music in 2015. As the title suggests it´s a compilation featuring all material recorded by Oppression in the years 1988-1990. Oppression formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1992 after releasing three demos and an EP. The tracks appear here in reverse order, so you get the tracks from the 1990 "Alone" EP opening the compilation, while the tracks from the 1988 debut demo close the compilation.

Oppression and their material can be divided into two separate periods. The 1987-1989 period featuring Santtu Laakso on vocals, which yielded the 1988- and the 1989 demos, and 1990 featuring Mika Luoma on vocals, which yielded the 1990 demo and the 1990 "Alone" EP.

The material from the 1987-1989 period is aggressive high energy thrash metal with the raw snarling vocals of Laakso in front. It´s not mindless aggressive thrash metal though as Oppression are quite clever composers and the 1988- and 1989 demos also feature heavy mid-paced sections and intriging lead- and harmony guitar work. Both demos are high quality Finnish thrash metal releases and should be counted among the best contemporary thrash metal releases from Finland (along releases from artists like Mengele, Phlegethon, The Hirvi, and Protected Illusion).

The two Luoma-fronted releases are an a different style as Oppression at this point opted for a heavier mid-paced and technical thrash metal style. Luoma´s vocals are shouting staccato delivered thrash metal vocals, which aren´t nearly as savage or as effective as the raw snarling of Laakso. The material from the 1990 demo and the 1990 "Alone" EP are therefore of a decent but not great songwriting quality, although both releases are relatively well produced (very well produced if you consider that these are basically demo recordings) and the musicianship is on a high level on all posts.

Since the original releases have been out-of-print for years, the idea to release "Scars 1988-1990" is great. I just wish they would have reversed the tracklist to the natural release order sequence because the early material is the strongest and people giving this compilation a listen might miss the brilliance of the closing tracks if they only judge it by the first couple of tracks from the 1990 band. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

21 days ago
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OPPRESSION Alone

EP · 1990 · Thrash Metal

UMUR

"Alone" is an EP release by Finnish thrash metal act Oppression. The EP was released through Operative Vinyl in 1990. Oppression formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1992 after releasing three demos and this EP. All recorded material by Oppression was reissued on the 2015 "Scars 1988-1990" compilation album released through Xtreem Music. "Alone" was Oppression´s sole label release during their original run and the last release they put out before disbanding. On their third demo from 1990 original lead vocalist Santtu Laakso had been replaced by Mika Luoma and the band also changed their music style from aggressive thrash metal towards a heavy technical thrash metal style...

...since the opening title track also appeared on the 1990 demo it´s no surprise that the two tracks on the 12:59 minutes long demo is also in the heavy technical thrash metal style of the preceding demo release. Luoma´s shouting staccato delivery is decent but nothing out of the ordinary for the genre, and it´s hard not to miss the aggressive snarling vocals of Laakso. The music is quite creative and intriguing, but all the details, rhythmic changes, and interesting lead- harmony work can´t disguise the fact that the music lacks power and energy. It´s like the heaviness and mid-paced tempo take away the aggression and energy which Oppression´s first two demos were loaded with.

"Alone" is still a worthwhile release if you´re interested in heavy technical thrash metal, but if you come to this EP or the preceding demo familiar with the Laakso-fronted Oppression demos you may come away a little disappointed. The sound production is of a decent quality, the musicianship is on a high level, and the songwriting is solid despite lacking power and energy. So, although I´m not 100% convinced there are still enough quality traits present here to warrant a 3 star (60%) rating.

21 days ago
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OPPRESSION Demo 1990

Demo · 1990 · Thrash Metal

UMUR

"Demo 1990" is the third demo recording by Finnish thrash metal act Oppression. The demo was independently released in (as the title suggests) 1990. Oppression formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1992 after releasing three demos and one EP. All recorded material by Oppression was reissued on the 2015 "Scars 1988-1990" compilation album released through Xtreem Music.

After releasing two brilliant aggressive thrash metal demos Oppression went a slightly more technical thrash metal route on "Demo 1990". Hints of this heavier and more technical thrash metal style was already heard sporadically on the first two demos, but "Demo 1990" completes the transition. The change of lead vocalist from Santtu Laakso to Mika Luoma also has an effect as Luoma has a more shouting staccato delivery compared to the more aggressive and snarling Laakso. Although the music is still incredibly well performed considering that this is a demo release, some of the immediate aggression and brutality of the first couple of demos have been lost in the transition to this more heavy technical thrash metal sound.

The tracks are pretty long too (between 6 and 10 minutes long), which have a tendency to make them a little tedious. It´s maybe a bit unfair to describe the material like that because a lot is actually going on during these compositions, but they just don´t flow as naturally as the material did on the first couple of demos. I´m sometimes reminded of Sabbat´s "Mourning Has Broken" album from 1991, which is also a heavy technical beast of a thrash metal album, which never manages to make any real impact on the listener.

When that is said "Demo 1990" is still a good quality demo release from Oppression, featuring a well sounding production job, high level musical performances, and to some extent solid songwriting. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

21 days ago
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OPPRESSION Demo 1989

Demo · 1989 · Thrash Metal

UMUR

"Demo 1989" is the second demo recording by Finnish thrash metal act Oppression. The demo was independently released in (as the title suggests) 1989. Oppression formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1992 after releasing three demos and one EP. All recorded material by Oppression was reissued on the 2015 "Scars 1988-1990" compilation album released through Xtreem Music.

Stylistically the material on "Demo 1989" continues the aggressive and brutal thrash metal style of the 1988 demo, but Oppression add even more variation to their sound and the relatively long tracks feature both fast-paced thrash metal riffs and rhythms, but also mid-paced heavy grooves. There´s some pretty accomplished lead- and harmony guitar work present too, so the instrumental part of the demo is certainly an interesting listen. Lead vocalist Santtu Laakso has a raw voice and a snarling angry delivery, which is perfect for the music.

Not everything heard on the demo is new original material as re-arranged parts/versions of "Into the Dark" and "Parasites" from the first demo also appear here. These versions are different enough to warrant being included here though and it´s interesting to hear how the tracks have developed since they appeared in their original form on the first demo. On the "Scars 1988-1990" compilation they have been given new song titles.

Just like the first demo, "Demo 1989" is a high quality Finnish thrash metal release and Oppression can be proud of what they produced here. The sound production is of a good quality considering that this is a demo recording, the musicianship is on a high level, and the tracks are well composed, memorable, and creative. Packing as much punch as you could wish for but at the same time appearing intriguing and challenging. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

21 days ago
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OPPRESSION Demo 1988

Demo · 1988 · Thrash Metal

UMUR

"Demo 1988" is the first demo recording by Finnish thrash metal act Oppression. The demo was independently released in (as the title suggests) 1988. Oppression formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1992 after releasing three demos and one EP. All recorded material by Oppression was reissued on the 2015 "Scars 1988-1990" compilation album released through Xtreem Music.

Stylistically the 3 tracks on the 14:19 minutes long demo are in an aggressive thrash metal style which at times is even slightly technical in execution. When most brutal, fast-paced, and aggressive Oppression touch proto death-thrash metal territories. They are an incredibly well playing band considering that this is their first demo, and they even manage to bring variation with the heavy mid-paced and quite cleverly composed "Parasites". Oppression are no one-trick pony, although they still have a consistent musical style. Lead vocalist Santtu Laakso has a sandpaper raw delivery which perfectly suits the music.

The late 1980s Finnish thrash metal scene have some real gems hidden here and there (Mengele, Phlegethon and Protected Illusion are three other worthwhile recommendations) and this demo is one of them. Oppression is one of those artists where it´s hard to understand why they didn´t get a recording contract. There are tons of quality here both in terms of high level musicianship, a very well sounding demo production, and above all some well written and effective thrash metal tunes. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.