First & Magical

Xysma may not be a name that immediately comes to mind when discussing the early years of death metal, but the band's influence and impact on the genre cannot be denied. Formed in Turku, Finland in 1988, the band quickly made a name for themselves in the underground scene with their debut demo, Swarming of the Maggots. Their sound at the time was firmly rooted in death metal & grindcore, but as the band evolved, they began to explore new musical territories and incorporate a wide range of influences into their music.

The band's debut album, "Yeah!", was released in 1991 and showcased a more accessible and catchier sound than their early demos. This was a sign of things to come, as Xysma began to move away from the death metal scene and embrace a wider range of musical styles, including Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground, Hawkwind, Nirvana, The Beach Boys and Kauko Röyhkä.

In 1992, Xysma released their second album, First and Magical, which marked the beginning of a somewhat-kinda-trilogy that would also include Deluxe (1993, death metal-ish proto-punk) and Lotto (1996, Witty garage rock with humour and hooks). The album was recorded in the summer of 1992 and featured the classic Xysma line-up, with Janitor Mustasch on vocals, Olivier Lawny and Thee Stranius on guitars, Dr. Heavenly on bass, and Marvellous Sidney Safe on drums (Fun fact: The band members' Finnish names are hilariously disguised as English pseudonyms on their records).

Xysma's First and Magical is an album that defies easy categorization. The band's evolution from grindcore to a unique mix of death metal and 70s rock and roll elements is evident throughout the album, showcasing their willingness to take risks and explore new territory. The result is an album that is both cohesive and unpredictable, with each track offering something new and exciting to discover. The band's early demos featured heavy Carcass and Napalm Death-esque elements that were indicative of their grindcore roots, but their involvement with the Swedish death metal scene, and in particular their friendship with Entombed, led to a shift in their sound. With the success of Entombed's 1993 album "Wolverine Blues," a new subgenre was born: death 'n' roll. Xysma joined the trend and started experimenting with this style on their second album First & Magical.

The album's opener, "One More Time", sets the tone for the rest of the album with its seamless blend of 70s hard rock and death metal bombast. Just when you think you've got the hang of the rhythm, they'll hit you with a blast beat that could wake the dead. The band's songwriting style on First and Magical is notable for its complexity and experimentation. The album features a mix of catchy, hard-hitting riffs, atmospheric keyboards, and psychedelic elements that give the songs a unique texture and atmosphere. The song structures are also varied and complex, with the band seamlessly blending different sections and genres together. The performances on the album are top-notch, with each member of the band delivering standout performances. Janitor Mustasch's growling death vocals are particularly impressive, perfectly balancing the aggressive death metal elements with the more melodic 70s rock and roll elements. For fans of this album, the First and Magical Pre-Production Demo 1992 is an additional bonus worth checking out. This demo, which can be found on YouTube, features early versions of the songs from the album, and while instrumentally similar, it still retains the deeper growl of the band's debut album "Yeah!". Olivier Lawny's guitar work is also notable, with the twin guitar attacks with Thee Stranius (RIP) providing a double melodic counterpoint that keeps the groove on.

Xysma's tight musicianship and memorable riffs keep the listener engaged throughout the album. Tracks like "My Mind like a Heron" pay tribute to the band's influences, with a fun and entertaining take on the Beach Boys and Napalm Death. It is definitely a standout track on the album, showcasing Xysma's ability to effortlessly blend different genres together. The surf rock-style guitar riffs and upbeat tempo gives the track a carefree and fun vibe, while the band's signature death metal elements add a sense of aggression and intensity. Towards the end of the track, the blast beats add an extra layer of energy and excitement, ramping up the intensity and bringing the song to a satisfying climax. Meanwhile, tracks like "Can't Imagine Your Death" showcase the band's ability to seamlessly blend acoustic and electric elements together, resulting in a sound that is both haunting and beautiful.

The production on First and Magical is a standout aspect of the album. The sound is crisp and clear, with a balance between the different elements of the music that allows each instrument to shine through. The guitars have a thick, down-tuned, heavy sound that complements the intense drumming and bass work, creating a powerful and dynamic mix. The use of keyboards and other atmospheric elements is also well-executed, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the music. The psychedelic keyboard on "Uranus Falls Again" is a perfect example of this, creating a sound that is both intreguing and otherworldly (I have to mention the daddy-rock blues lick that shines through the song's outro). The Vinyl reissue by SVART Records features remastered sound that further enhances the listening experience. The sound is even clearer and more detailed, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the nuances of the music. The remastered sound also highlights the quality of the performances and songwriting, showcasing the band's talent and creativity. For fans of the album, the Pre-Production demo that can be found on the 2019 Svart Records DLP reissue is also a highly recommended listen. The demo offers a glimpse into the band's creative process and showcases the raw talent and energy that went into creating this album.

Overall, Xysma's First and Magical is a hidden gem that deserves to be rediscovered by music fans. The band's ability to blend different genres together is impressive, and the result is an album that is both unique and timeless. With its riffs catchier than the common cold, musicianship tighter than a hipster's skinny jeans, and songwriting smarter than a Mensa meeting, First & Magical is a must-listen for fans of death metal and 70s rock and roll. Seriously, if you don't give this album a spin, you'll be missing out on a musical experience that's more mind-blowing than a trip to Andromeda Galaxy. So go ahead, give your ears a treat and listen to it. Just don't blame me if you start headbanging in public and get weird looks from strangers.

Xysma: the great unrecognized treasure of Finland’s underground past. They were putting out filthy proto-deathgrind demos before Abhorrence had even formed, and were making pop death n’ roll a year later. This here second full length, First & Magical, sounds like Reek of Putrefaction-era Carcass performing Wolverine Blues except with way catchier, poppier, tendancies. The band themselves state in the album sleeve that they were influenced by the Beach Boys, and against all odds, it’s believable, and it works.

And why shouldn’t metal sound like this more often? This isn’t death metal that you’re going to want to mosh to; this is chill out music you’re going to want to bump with a few oat sodas on a hot afternoon. Don’t be misled, though, because that isn’t to say it doesn’t rock as hard as any of the aforementioned bands (yes, including the Beach Boys), oh trust me it does. Opener, “One More Time”, is all I needed for an introduction to this band to know I was sold. The opening build up is so bursting and memorable that it seems inconceivable to think that the song could evolve into an onslaught of blasting grind, but it does. At this point in their career, it doesn’t sound as though Xysma were determinedly abandoning their extreme metal past (which they would go on to do just a few years afterwards), but rather using this foundation as a playground to experiment with all sorts of weird ideas.

Is this album really only half an hour long? I’ve only ever listened to my vinyl copy and the whole thing just washes by in a blur of feel-good vibes and memorable riffs. The pace of the album is smartly consistent, proceeding mostly at a fast, but controlled rate; the conventional structures occasionally exploding off into storm, but always weathering it. “Turning” busts out with a thick Sabbath-like riff with extra groove and progressively loses its shit throughout the song, culminating in a wicked awesome solo. There isn't really ‘that fast grind song’, and having one would basically betray what Xysma were doing here, which was creating something very much their own. They may have found their beginnings in the underground death metal scene, but they didn’t seem to have any intention of staying there.

How Xysma managed to make this absurd dichotomy convincing is beyond me, but I commend them endlessly for doing so. I only wish they retained this sound for longer, or stayed active a few years – alas, let history speak for itself. What we can be thankful for is the fact that this album and a few other Xysma releases have been recently (and very nicely) reissued by SVART Records, that perhaps a new appreciation might grow for this all but forgotten legend.