Formed in Finland during the cold and dark winter of 1987, OPPRESSION lifted their name from the lyrics of a Rush song (it was later though that progressive influences such as Rush and King Crimson really started to come through in their music). From the beginning their goal was to make uncompromising and heavy music, qualities which they held high throughout their career.
After their first gig in ‘87 and the addition of a new guitar player (Lare, ex-Dirty Damage), their line-up solidified as Marko Holstein (guitar), Lare Nieminen (guitar), Janne Nuotio (bass), Harri Luoma (drums) and Santtu Laakso (vocals). In this line-up OPPRESSION recorded two well-received studio demos and gigged extensively.
OPPRESSION built a strong underground following, and a reputation for extremely heavy, crushing music. Indeed, some of the critics claimed that they were ‘too heavy’, of course such remarks only boosted the young group’s drive and commitment to make subsequent material even heavier!
After the release of the second demo in ‘89 ways parted with Santtu (who went on to form Exitus), and a new vocalist, Mika Luoma was drafted in (Mika had impressed the guys as the vocalist of his previous group Altars of Destruction). Along with a heavier vocal output the music was becoming more complex, incorporating more progressive influences, odd time signatures, and longer tracks, while remaining uncompromisingly heavy.
By the time of their third demo OPPRESSION had established their trademark mix of heavy and progressive elements, a style they perfected on their final release, 1990’s 7”EP ‘Alone’. Due to their uncompromising attitude OPPRESSION never broke into the mainstream, but remained an underground favourite and an ambassador of heavy, progressiveThrash Metal.
Lend us an ear and we’ll crush it!
Xtreem Releases:
Band:
OPPRESSION
Title:
Scars 1988-1990
CAT. #:
XM 175 CD
Format:
CD [64:53]
Genre:
Thrash Metal
Released:
03.2015
Media:
If you run a zine, webzine or you need high quality graphic stuff about the band, you can download here a .ZIP file with: Pictures, Logos and Album cover.
