AVARUUSKORPRAALI PAHA HIRVI

And another developing formation of Finnish Space Rock. "Y'hoitajan Maailmasta" was released in 2009 (and reissued in 2013 with a colourfully painted sleeve) as the second (and the latest so far) album of a Helsinki-based 'masked' Space Rock outfit AVARUUSKORPRAALI PAHA HIRVI. As mentioned in my review for the first album, this production launches more of 'rock' appearances on the whole (some electropsych moments or streams can be heard e.g. in "Intro", "V'likuolema" or so though). It's no suspicion they should be inspired by a Space Rock pioneer Hawkwind, and in the second opening "Avaruus, Avaruus" they unveil vibrant missiles of heavy machinery spacey rock. Sounds like Northern Europe Power Metal meets Hawkwind-y Space Rock. Energetic sound texture with repetitive flowery outer- spacey melody lines can overwhelm us. Guess the audience in front of the combo would have been immersed in their voluptuous soundscape all around the venue.

Very funny and funky is "Avaruustissit" featuring pretty uptempo danceable rhythmic bases. Smart and cool vibes they discharge. Slight simple and catchy for their creation but why don't we accept such an eccentricity during a powerful gig? On the contrary, "Kauniit Silm't",'veiled in dark, distorted, depressive kosmische atmosphere with fragile electronika on the top, would be dignified and solemn for us. A similar phrase is repeated again and again but the synthesizer-oriented sound background gets developing smoothly. "Munakello" is also tranquil and quiet, slightly with ethnic tribal initiative. This musical touch (or "Kauniit Silm't" mentioned before) reminds me of the similar vein to some Finnish units like Horte or Kairon; IRSE! The last run "Seksuaalisuuden Her''minen" involves a mass of energy. Highly pitched kinetic expression and dramatic realization will encourage us eventually. What a wonder.

Vivacious inspiration and intention for heavy space rock is quite crucial. Such an incredible energy must certify them on stage or on production.

An obscure debut bombardment by a mysterious Finnish psychedelic outfit.

AVARUUSKORPRAALI PAHA HIRVI were already known as a 'masked' electropsych project who were active at studios or live venues around Finland in late 2000s. Sadly they say they have been under hibernation since October 2015 (Goes ABBA Gig at O'Hara's) but what a pleasure ... They announced via Bandcamp they re-released their sold-out debut album "Kindheit" sold only at the gig held on April 17, 2007 (only 20 handmade copies!). Without any time to breathe, I jumped at their Bandcamp in order to purchase it because I love their second album "Yöhoitajan Maailmasta" launched two years after their studio-based debut. "Yöhoitajan Maailmasta" is a kind of authentic space rock stuff but this "Kindheit", featuring touchy but devastated full-fledged electronika, is another mystery slightly different from the following creation. Guess their early musical style on stage would have been like that, and it's interesting really.

This album is divided into six "Untitled" pieces. The departure consists of greatly eccentric electronic vibes and ethnic spiritual tips especially in the mid term. Such a quirky noisy electro-spelling reminds me of the similar vein to Kluster's "Klopfzeichen". Lengthy synthesizer-oriented queues of sounds and tones are atmospherically offensive and bombastic but appropriate for the opening of their stage performance, I imagine. The following step sounds more of rock due to percussive appearances filled with tribal hints on the whole. Repetitive melodic phrases through an electric guitar is also comfortable. Dissonant and dissected are the electronic expressions on the basis though. Such an unbalanced combination is not bad. And "3" is compiled with exaggerated electronic operations subsequent to the prologue. Irrelevant spacey laser beams are discharged here and there like a discotique balcony. On the contrary, "4" and "6" are quite heavy rock-ish movements like "Avaruus, Avaruus" in "Yöhoitajan Maailmasta". The texture in the heavy masterpieces is just the reason they are called as a brilliant space rock ambassador unit in Tampere. Of course, excessive electronic emulations can be heard deeply in the heavy psychedelia. Such a performance would have been their characteristic in those days.

Anyway in the longest (master)piece "5" they launch uptempo but settled, stabilized, improvised spacey explanations after quiet resilient ambience in the beginning ... I'm sure this decent strict touch could extend to their final musical goal.

AVARUUSKORPRAALI PAHA HIRVI (= Space Corporal Bad Moose) is a Finnish quartet who seem to have a joyful, loonie attitude in making Space Rock. On the back cover the young men dance merrily in a backyard at night wearing just shorts. The music is however very well done. This second album was re-released on vinyl in 2012; 200 numbered copies with a colourful painted version of the same front picture, much better than the original you see here. The title means "From the world of a night nurse", but considering the track titles there isn't a clear concept.

The barely 2-minute 'Intro' features wailing synths and a brief spoken narration about, hmm, sexual contacts with space flies & worms. Over-the-top fantasy humour! 'Avaruus, avaruus' (= "Space, space") is 9 minutes of pure, HAWKWIND-like Space Rock with a steady beat. The exciting, electronic soundscape can be associated with the spaciest rock acts of 70's Krautrock too. 'Kauniit silmät' (= "Beautiful eyes") has slower tempo, being no less hypnotic slice of spacey psychedelia. It's slightly reminiscent of Cyclone / Force Majeure -era TANGERINE DREAM.

The B side starts with 'Avaruustissit' (= "Space tits") which is built on a simple, endlessly repeated rhythm pattern. Certainly it has groove and nice sounds, but is perhaps a bit too long and monotonous. The next one (= "Interdeath") features no drums for change. Being close to Ambient / New Age it offers a welcome variety to the album. 'Munakello' (= "Egg timer") has a slow tempo and a melancholic, nocturnal atmosphere. The gentle guitarwork takes completely over synths. Excellent, not far from e.g. ORESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE. And finally comes "The Waking of Sexuality" (Yes, these rather silly titles are obviously from a young male mind!). The drums and the strong beat are again central, but synths and guitars have no difficulties to send the music into outer space.

Naturally it depends on the listener whether this music is hypnotic or boring. Hopefully my review helps you to estimate which reception you'd have. If you enjoy the mentioned bands and genres, you'll probably find a lot to enjoy in this meaty, groovy, ambientish and deeply psychedelic Space Rock.