Oz (Finnish band)

Last updated

OZ
OriginNakkila, Finland (1977-1983) Stockholm, Sweden (1983-present)
Genres Heavy metal, power metal
Years active1977-1991; 2010-present
LabelsKräk (1982), Tyfon (1982-1987), Combat (1984), Far East Metal Syndicate (1984), Banzai (1984), RCA (1984-1987), Victoria Records (1987), Black Mark (1991), AFM (2011-2018), Spiritual Beast (2011), Metalizer (2011), Massacre Records (2018-present)
MembersMark Ruffneck
Peppi Peltola
Juzzy Kangas
Johnny Cross
Vince Koivula
Past membersApe DeMartini
Jay C. Blade
Markku Petander
Costello Hautamäki
Michael Lundholm
Fredrik Thörnholm
Jörgen Schelander
Tobbe Moen
Spooky Wolff
Speedy Foxx
Esa Niva
Kari Elo
Tauno Vajavaara
Website ozofficial.com

Oz (styled as OZ) is a Finnish heavy metal band, originally from Nakkila, Finland. It was formed in 1977, [1] split in 1991 and re-established 2010.

Contents

Since 1983, OZ has been active mostly in Sweden as the band members moved to Stockholm after the release of their second album. [1] In 2010, drummer Mark Ruffneck (born Pekka Mark), bassist and main songwriter Jay C. Blade (born Jukka Homi, but has changed his name to Jukka Lewis) and vocalist Ape De Martini (born Tapani Hämäläinen) re-formed the band, together with Costello Hautamäki and Markku Petander. As of 2016, OZ consists of four different members from Pori, Finland with Ruffneck being the original sole member.

They made a splash with their 1983 album Fire in the Brain, a NWOBHM-flavored energetic metal affair that won over critics and fans alike. [1] The subsequent albums, however, failed to elicit the same response, and the band faded from worldwide view. [1] The band reformed in 2010 and released Burning Leather in 2011. The album Transition State was released on 20 October 2017 by AFM Records. The latest album "Forced Commandments" released 22/5 2020 by Massacre Records.

Line-up

Current members

Former live musicians

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Compilation albums

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 266/7. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.