OPPRESSION — Alone (review)

OPPRESSION — Alone album cover EP · 1990 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
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 On their third demo from 1990 original lead vocalist Santtu Laakso had been replaced by Mika Luoma and the band also changed their music style from aggressive thrash metal towards a heavy technical thrash metal style...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.
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