vas
 

Download:

1. HottoïzzoH 4:55
(Juujärvi)
2. OUÍA MI MOSA 4:16
(Pulkkinen)
3. VTG 4:50
(Juujärvi, Nissinen)

All tracks co-written by Onségen Ensemble

Onségen Ensemble
ESA JUUJÄRVI
Low Frequencies
KIMMO NISSINEN
High Frequencies
VEIJO PULKKINEN
Pulse

With thanks to:
ALISA SAILA
vocals on OUÍA MI MOSA
JUKKA LIMINGOJA
Vocals on HottoïzzoH
ARCHIE COCK
Rhodes on OUÍA MI MOSA
ONRECHT JALON
Saxophones on VTG

Onségen Ensemble

REVIEWS



HottoizzoHHottoïzzoH, JL DLC


Acid Dragon

King Crimson fans will be delighted, for this mini CD is pure crystal, yes it is! In three tracks of less than five minutes, these furious Finns catapult you in the kingdom of the Crimson King, and with what brio! This is not the first band I review (and enjoy) playing a music close to King Crimson. But here, I'm sure I found the best pupils of master Fripp. Very inspired pupils in the same time! The first song shows a phenomenal power and an incredible rhythm intersected with gorgeous breaks. Change of atmosphere for the second track (at least at the beginning). ‘Ouia Mi Mossa’ starts calmly with a jazzy introduction by a Latino female singer (but in Finnish) accompanied by a Rhodes then amplified by the guitar to end on the third song which starts with a bass part á la Jannick Top on Magma's ‘UDU WUDU’ ending with a free jazz sax in the pure Mel Collins way, with backgrounds of mellotron... Arrgh, that's too much! These geniuses need a label quickly for the album which could follow will be a bomb certainly. More, more!!


www.progarchives.com, Cesar Inca

HottoïzzoH” is Onségen Ensamble's EP for 2007. So far, this is the only format that they use for their studio efforts, since their previous relase is also an EP. Both items are donwloadable from the band's website. This one lasts less than 15 minutes!! Anyway, it is a repertoire of three very interesting tracks, mostly construed on the foundations of a crossover between modernized zheul (Happy Family, for instance), heavy prog and stoner-oriented jamming. The EP kicks off with the namesake track. As you can see somewhere on Youtube, this track really benefits from proper expansions on stage, but for this studio version, it is only less than 5 minutes long. This time restriction sure leads to a restriction regarding the development of the main theme's atmospheres, but make no mistake, this studio version is not bad at all. Indeed, it is a very good demostration of the clever way that the three musicians combine the muscular and the spacey in their jams: the guitar riffs and the rhythm duo's dynamics are matched in an awesome sonic marriage. The robust bass lines are conveniently emphasized in places, which makes it for the band's mst obvious link to the heritage of old-school Magma. The follower ‘OUSÍA MI MOSA’ strays from this psychedelic overall mood and goes for a folk-prog deviation of avant-prog, something like Hoyrey-Kone-meets-Pochakaite Malko. The clever use of exotic Eastern Europe cadences in the guitar leads and female vocal harmonies feels solidly placed within the pounding, complex rhythmic structure. the EP's highlight is the closure ‘VTG’, which is pure heavy prog luxury. This track retakes the full frontal energy of the opening number and takes it to a more agile stage, as well as a more elaborated dexterity. The magnificent interlude is a clear homage to 73-75 King Crimson, with the addition of delightful mellotron (or mellotron-like) washes and exciting sax flourishes. I wonder what this track would have sounded like had the band explored it further into a more epic structure, but again, this is something than can be virtually said about any OE track so far. All in all, this EP is an excellent demostration of the band's energy and inventiveness, and so, I finish this review with the following word of advice aimed at all prog-lovers around the globe: download the EP!!


Dutch Progressive Rock Page, Christos Ampatzis

Onségen Ensemble is a Finnish trio at the borders of art rock and avant-garde. With the number of bands playing this type of music multiplying day by day, a description like that is no synonym to originality and does not imply that this band has discovered something new. Anyway, these guys here seem to have something interesting to say, even though it is... short. This is their second EP, after Hiukkavaara Session.

The first track is very heavy and driven by the synchronized frenzy of drums and bass, with the guitars playing a little recurring theme to fill the scenery. Closer to avant-garde in its main body (see stuff like John Zorn etc.), it has an interlude of pure art rock references: early Pink Floyd ambience and "Ahhhh Ahhhh Ahhhh" vocals, reminiscent of those early 70's days. And I guess this is the closest I can see them getting to Zeuhl music, as what they are often categorised. The end of the song is the surprise: chaos as all instruments go crazy, bringing to mind the closing of Brand X's Nuclear Burn from the manifesto of jazz-rock fusion Unorthodox Behaviour. The next track is really bizarre and is contributing a lot to the originality of the work. Something like Japanese (?) vocals, in a lounge(y) Rhodes-dominated track, which only reminds me something that has almost nothing to do with the nature of the track: Rush's YYZ. The riffs are very similar but the whole product is totally different. Back to more standard art rock with VTG, and this time it is King Crimson's haunting guitars (Red era) that I will point to. Great track too, with saxophones doing a great job in the background. Grandiose ending with all instruments in full attack, but always in unison.

Very interesting and promising release by this Finnish trio. If you don't trust me, go to their website and enjoy all three tracks - for free. If that was the hors d'œuvre, I can't wait to be served the main dish. Hopefully that will also provide some quantity and not only quality. Let's hope it will flow nicely and have the necessary heterogeneity and variety to keep the interest of a listener alive without tiring her/him. LP's are not the same thing as EP's. And that's why I leave this unrated. Even if it is unfair.

Conclusion: Not Rated (too short - but very interesting)


Kristian Selm, progressive-newsletter
Onségen Ensemble - HottoïzzoH
(14:02, Self-published EP, 2007)

Onségen Ensemble don't exactly delight their listeners with excessively long albums, or rather, mini-albums. Even their promo CD "Hiukkavaara Sessions" in 2005 hardly spanned 15 minutes in length. Their newest isn't much longer. However, the band feel for their fans and also offer the three tracks from "HottoïzzoH" as free downloads on their website. So, you have the choice to either grab a digital pack of the original CD or simply 'just' download the music. Regardless of which way you go about it: there is something to this band - that is, there's definitely something interesting to discover here.

When describing themselves, the Scandinavians act rather cryptic: "...a mix of softer and harder tones and beats...the title 'HottoïzzoH' combines the Finnish words 'hotto' (hollow) and 'hossi' (hurry)." Yet within the three tracks, each of them 4-5 minutes long, there lies a whole lot of energy, a wide range of variation, and despite the length, more euphoria and diversity of ideas than other bands can fit into an entire album. Whether it's the aggressive bass that swells up to volcanic intensity on the third track "VTG", the arrangements and rhythms that are rich in tempo, or the strong, juicy guitar riffs that sway between alternative and art rock - the Finnish trio wander skilfully across decades, without sounding outdated or too modern. Still, the energetic moments, which are extravagant in a near-Japanese way, take an audible step backwards on the second track "Ouía ni mosa", as they are refined with a melodic pace and emotional singing.

Many words to a direct suggestion: simply stop by their website, download music and decide for yourself. Those who like it somewhat extraordinary, like an impressive trek along the borders of old and contemporary, and are willing to tolerate sound-technical losses for it, will not be disappointed here.

Translation: Anna Knuuti


Tarkus Magazine no 42

A while back we reviewed an EP from Onsegen Ensemble, and the conclusion was that it had sound and fury, but lacked good songs. The songwriting is still quite thin here, but the album HottoizzoH is a big step in the right direction, and if they keep going, a star will shine on them as well. The songs are more consistent and are inspired by such varied sources as the brutality of 72-74 King Crimson, the japanese Happy Familys frenetic displays of force and newer bands such as Hella with their fascination for skewed time signatures. At times the focus gets somewhat lost, but the discs best songs have a weight and vitality that rushes from the speakers. Only small adjustments now, guys, and you've reached the goal. We're waiting with excitement...


Psychotropic Zone
Onségen Ensemble: HottoizzoH CD-EP, Self-released

This is the second EP by this Oulu-based band who have taken their name from the Russian experimental composer and poet. Their musical style is still the same and the band mixes together harder and heavier elements with emotional and soft stuff in a very successful and progressive way. The first of the tree tracks is called "HottoizzoH" and is a rather wild instrumental but there is also some wordless male voice by a quest singer in the bit more serene part. This works very well. The main line-up of the band is just a bass player, a guitarist and a drummer, but the next, atmospheric and a bit jazzy track called "Ouia Mi Mosa" also has beautiful female vocals and soft Rhodes work. This is a very pleasant number that also includes a pretty good guitar solo. "VTG" is the most progressive track on the EP and starts off very wild and heavy. After a minute and a half comes the creeping, quieter and hypnotic part and some saxophones also join in. A very nice atmosphere. There are also some Mellotron sounds in there. The track grows and the saxophones go in the free jazz territory also bringing in some ethnic flavour. There's also some obvious King Crimson influences in there. The end gets heavy again. This is an excellent, 14-minute-long specimen of the modern state of Finn-prog, and the guys have managed to create very good sound just by themselves.
14.09.07 by Dj Astro


ORGAN MAGAZINE
DEMO OF THE WEEK

ONSÉGEN ENSEMBLE - Hottoizzoh (Hell Fi) - Now this is rather special, flowing old school proper prog (none of this neo wimp-out politeness). Prog with a driving heart and an undercurrent of locked on fusion. Warm, organic, analogue flavoured and sounding like a long lost treasure from 1973 (yes that good!). Three tracks, two throbbing pulsing instrumentals and a middle track sung warmly in what I guess is Finnish by the feminine voice of Alisa Saila. Think King Crimson, Jazzy Gong, Acid Mother Temple and even Magma... A surging space-jazz flavoured art/prog rock set of treats. A whole roller-coaster ride of glorious progressive colour from deepest Finland, excellent.

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Hiukkavaara SessionHiukkavaara Session

Reviewer: Jurriaan Hage, Axiom of Choice
Onségen Ensemble: Hiukkavaara Session (2005; self produced ) 16m

Summary of history:
Named after an experimental Russian composer and poet, this is nonetheless a Finnish band, from the harbour city of Oulu. This is what seems to be their first (mini) album.

The album:
Vaino has a strong drive as it opens. The guitar sound is a bit King Crimson like: angular, and stark, but the pace is higher and the music is more fluent and lighter. The Finnish vocals are by Alisa Saila, who has a slightly ethereal voice, singing a bit folky and accessible melody. We do have plenty of low frequencies, as if somebody plass bass like on a guitar. The music really rocks, in a way that I wish King Crimson would these days. Maybe the band plays in a slightly heavier and more psyche like vein, something I certainly did not expect with the packaging of this album. I was expecting something very stately and neo-classical. Towards the end, the band becomes more and more chaotic and psychedelic. The vocals do come back.

Kuuhanka is like its predecessor a rather heavy piece of work, more in the vein of a progrock powertrio, playing repetitive riffs that build a decent amount of tension. The band can also loosen the reigns somewhat and let things develop. The slowly the drums picks up the pace and the band follows obediently. The vocals are very different this time, very low in an operatic kind of way. Again, the vocals have a folky ring to them.

Conclusion:
Not a long item, but a promising one, mainly in the vein of King Crimson with plenty of angular guitar work (and rhythm guitar work too, which makes the band sound heavier and more psychedelic).


 

Shadowplay April 2006 Singles
Onségen Ensemble: Hiukkavaara Session

Led by Esa Juujarvi and Veijo Pulkkinen Finnish rock outfit Onségen Ensemble decided, after a year together, to create a 200 copies only single with a digipak and extensive liner notes. A risky ove in the days of a CD-R send out to anyone you can think of. But a good move nonetheless as this bustling creation of noise gladly meets the ShadowPlay stereo. Whilst the sound may be a little directionless the Nordic sound of Kuuhanka (an eight minute mute then loud tribal attack) means that there are sections of their lengthy music that show real promise. Look forward to more.


 

Aural Innovations #33 (March 2006)
Onségen Ensemble - "Hiukkavaara Session"
(self released 2005, CDEP)

This is a two track promo CD (only 200 made) by a very unique Finnish act called the Onségen Ensemble (3 core musicians with guests). The bands name and spirit are influenced by the Russian avant-garde composer, Onségen Olentkojev, who used zaum, which is a poetic language that emphasizes the auditive material and visual aspect of the language over the actual content. Vaino begins with a very King Crimson like guitar riff before the vocals appear when the track really becomes quite melodic. The singing is a bit like Emma from Garmarna at times. Aisa has a very beautiful voice which contrasts really nicely with the sort of hard harsh KC like riff. The band really freakout and go into some sort of free jazz space like Alien Planetscapes or Acid Mothers Temple half way into the track and then recover. Very cool stuff. Amazing actually. "Kuuhanka" is next and a bit longer track that slowly builds up and then really jams with some sort of chanting male vocals in the background as the intensity of the track builds and builds. There is really great playing by all members and a very cool guitar solo with loads of effects on the sound. This is just my kind of stuff. Where can I hear the next material by this band?? Totally amazing stuff.


 

Noise.fi
Onségen Ensemble - Hiukkavaara session, 4/5

Onségen Ensemble lähtee heti ensilevyllään hiihtelemään rohkeasti umpihankeen kohti tuntematonta määränpäätä. Etenemistyyli on vapaa, mutta ankaraa progepaahtoa varten voidellut sukset on määrätty jalassa pidettäviksi koko matkan ajan. Kolmihenkinen retkikunta saa reissun edetessä seuraa sekä nais- että miessolistista, joista kumpikin ilmaisee itseään tuntemattomalla kielellä kovaa ja korkealta. 70-luvulta asti repun pohjalla pyörineet Jalostajan hernekeittosäilykkeet tuntuvat taukopaikalla maistuvan hyvin isoäidin silokkipiiraan kanssa, ja loppumatkasta nietokset muuttuvatkin hattaraksi ja tunturipöllöt puhuvat espanjaa. Itse Rick Wakeman saapuu paikalle ainakin 17-osaisella, lentävällä modulaarisyntikalla ja pelastaa pitkätukkamme vaahtokarkkimiehen kynsistä veret seisauttavalla valoshow'lla – luojan kiitos hän ei kuitenkaan soita mitään!

Tähän tapaan fiilistelee Onségen Ensemble omakustanne-ep:llään Hiukkavaara Session. Levyllä kuullaan kaksi biisiä ja viisitoista minuuttia juurevaa trio-rokkausta, joka hieman tuhnuisista soundeista huolimatta virkistää kuin avantouinti pakkasella, jos nyt sellaisesta sattuu tykkäämään. Hulppeimmilleen meno yltyy yhtyeen laskiessa vaihdekepin vapaalle: improvisoidut mökästysosuudet suorastaan vyöryvät ämyreistä kuulijan ylitse, ja samalla tekevät selväksi mikä erottaa Ensemblen klassisemmasta progesta, josta yhtye on toki myös vaikutteita saanut. Eteenpäinkatsovaa, omaperäistä ja anteeksipyytelemätöntä - tämän bändin luulisi kelpaavan ainakin kaikille Pori-skenen ystäville.

Risto Mikkonen


 

Dutch Progressive Rock Page
Onségen Ensemble - Hiukkavaara session

Onségen Ensemble are a trio of musicians hailing from Oulu in Finland. The group consists of Esa Juujärvi (bass and keyboards), Kimmo Nissinen (guitar) and Veijo Pulkkinen (drums) although they are looking to expand their line-up. Supporting the band on this limited edition CD single are Alisa Saila (vocals on Vaïno), Minna Karjalainen (clarinet on Vaïno) and Jukka Limingoja (vocals on Kuuhanka).

Although the short nature of this release doesn't give much of an idea of what the band are really capable of, the ideas present on the two tracks are rather interesting. Mixing prog, mild psychedelia and even a smidgeon of Goth rock the songs are engaging.

Best of the two is Vaïno with the lovely vocals of Saila blending well with the guitars/bass/drums. Kuuhanka is based on a repetitive bass line over which are layered the guitars and male vocals (such as they are, delivered in a rather unusual style, not so much singing as intonations).

Worth checking out (you can download the two tracks free of charge by visiting their website) as there are some interesting ideas. However, due to the nature of the release (recorded in rehearsal on low budget home studio equipment) this release is unrated, I'll wait for a full album!

Conclusion: Unrated

MARK HUGHES



Tarkus n:o 35. 2005, 24
OSÉGEN ENSEMBLE
Hiukkavaara session

Onségen Ensemble is a Finnish trio named after a Russian poet and composer, who in the Soviet Union of the 1930s came into confrontation with the system and disappeared into one of the many camps of the Gulag archipelago. Calling Onségen Ensemble especially experimental is not very believable. The band plays really competent rock music, which is related particularly to King Crimson's Thrak with a little hint of Anekdoten and heavy, metallic Don Caballeroesque rock. They are supported by two slightly ill-fitting vocalists (a male and a female) and one clarinetist, who appears not to have gotten herself heard too much. Of the two tracks the clearly more interesting is the latter, which at times manages to groove and stumble a bit insanely with an intensity comparable to that of Magma. But generally this single sounds slightly unfocused and unfinished; if the band are to get some help in pulling themselves together, they may, without doubt, be a pleasant acquaintance, which should not be avoided but which could even command some attention.

Trond G



Psychotropic Zone
Onségen Ensemble: Hiukkasvaara Session CDS
Self-released promo

This trio from Oulu, Finland, have taken their name from a little known Russian avant-garde composer and poet Onségen Olentkovej (1891-1938). Also Zaum, the distinctive poetic language that emphasizes how the language sounds and looks like in stead of the contents, is adopted from him. There are two longish tracks or interesting and original progressive rock on this single. First we got rather heavy "Vaïno" that has very beautiful female vocals by a guest called Alisa Saila. The instrumentation is more or less bass-drums-guitar, but there is also some clarinet (Minna Karjalainen) and towards the end we also get to hear some nice, wild wailing synthesisers. The track builds up from the middle and twists towards the end in a very fine manner, reminds me of Tool a bit. This is rather psychedelic, too. The over eight minutes long track "Kuuhanka" is rather much in the same style, but a bit different in mood. For this tracks they have Jukka Limingoja to deliver the male vocals and he fits in very well. At times the song sounds little like more relaxed Kingston Wall, but the tighter parts remind me of early Circle. Great stuff! All the band members are obviously excellent players and they seem to have enough fresh ideas, so why don't they just go ahead and record a full-length.

31.10.05 by Dj Astro



iO Pages (nr 63 December 2005)
Onségen Ensemble: Hiukkasvaara Session
(Eigen Beheer)

Het artwork van Hiukkavaara Session doet me denken aan modern klassiek, zoals dat in Finland en de Baltische staten regelma tig gemaakt wordt. Maar tot mijn verbazing begint dit een kwartier durend schijfje met modern Frippiaans gitaarwerk. De verrassing wordt verder aangezet door de toevoeging van hese vrouwelijke zang. Alsof Fins al niet onbegrijpelijk genoeg is voor de meesten, bedient men zich van het Zaum, een taal die de klankaspecten verheft boven de betekenisaspecten van taal. Op de enige andere track horen we een aantal mannelijke vocalisten die meer herkenning voor de term Ensemble oproepen. De ongewone muziek wordt nu ook wat onrustiger, en in die zin vergelijkbaar met andere Finse avantgardistische gezel schappen als Alamailman Vasarat. Dit tweede stuk is fris en meer nog dan de opener de moeite waard. Lijkt me leuk een volledige plaat van dit ensemble te horen: een beetje vreemd, maar wel errug lekker. Beide stukken van deze mini zijn te downloaden van de site van de band. Info: www.uleaborg.com/Onségen.

Roberto Lambooy


 

Rumba No 22/05
Onségen Ensemble

A former black metal bassist, goth drummer and punk guitar player borrow a name from a forgotten, early 20th century Russian poet, and begin to satisfy their musical perversion by playing hypnotically wearing psychedelic prog. The result reeks of pretentious art crap, even before it is revealed that the guitarist builds his own instruments out of recycled butcher's scales and Swedish Army canteen. Or that the choice of language for the vocal parts is the poetic language Zaum developed by the Russian poet - Zaum, with which it is more important what the language sounds like than what its content is. Having learned this, I would dare to bet that Onségen Ensemble prefers form over content in their music. However, this is not necessarily the case, as the kick-off demo of this Oulu group leaves the listener with an uncommonly strong urge to hear more. The musical starting point is a tad Circle-esquely hypnotizing psych-prog built on riffs, and the trio-based playing is vitalized with a couple of guest vocalists and with some randomly whistling synths. The result is not tuned up to the levels of weird and insane you wish it was; but the richness of ideas and the strong instrumentalisation maintain the listener's interest, and, in the end, you are taken away by the hypnotic quality of the music. All the ideas are not quite ripe yet, but considering this is the group's first offering, we are dealing with a performance that is well-argued for its content and form.

What's good: Lively playing. The base ties the multidimensional pieces efficiently together.

What's to improve: The form threatens to swell up in significance over the music.


 

Arlequins - Progressive Rock Webzine,
Onségen Ensemble - Hiukkavaara session EP, (Translation)

This band form Oulu, Finland is making itself known by releasing a 2 track ep that can be downloaded free of charge from their website. The first of the two tracks (Vaïno) is perhaps more interesting although it is more direct; the beautiful singing of Alisa Saila (her parents surely got some imagination...) works well in a song combining hard rock and psychedelia. The second track (Kuuhanka) is primarily instrumental and it has some doom/tribal allusions, it has a obsessive bass and the singing of Jukka Limingoja is for the most part limited to vocalizzi. It is hard to grade this band by only two songs which on top of that differ so much from each other. But these surely interesting songs in all respects promise good things for the band's future development, but by now I will suspend my final grading.

Onségen Ensemble - Hiukkavaara session EP, (Original)

Questa band di Oulu, Finlandia, per farsi conoscere pubblica questo EP contenente due tracce, scaricabili gratuitamente dal loro sito web. La prima delle due canzoni ("Vaïno" 6'36") è forse la più interessante, anche se la piu diretta; il bel cantato di Alisa Saila (bella fantasia, 'sti genitori...) si mette bellamente in evidenza su una canzone che mescola hard rock a della soft psichedelia. La seconda traccia ("Kuuhanka" 8'22") e prevalentemente strumentale, ed ha connotati doom/tribali, con un basso ossessivo ed un cantato, ad opera di Jukka Limingoja, che per lo piu si limita a dei vocalizzi. E' difficile dare un giudizio su questa band sulla base di sole due canzoni, oltre tutto così diverse l'una dall'altra; sono senz'altro presenti degli spunti interessanti che possono promettere belle cose per uno sviluppo futuro dell'ensemble, ma il giudizio resta giocoforza sospeso.

Alberto Nucci


 

MovimentiPROG
Three Finns Out of Their Minds... (Translation)

How strange these Onségens presenting themselves with an two track EP but catching our attention with their declared inspirations: King Crimson, Kraut Electronica, Primal Scream, composer and poet Onségen Olentkojev, so much that they have adopted the "zaum" language (a sort of esperanto) just like the russian artist. The trio mixes new and old psychedelia, electronica and prog in a disordered (but, I have to admit, efficient) manner generating a sort of contaminated art rock, intensive and dedicated to fragmented bursts of fury and trance apertures.

"Vaino" is an obsessive piece, sort of robot-rock in the spirit of late Gong, Queens of the Stone Age and certain Frippian tendencies; Kuuhanka creates a penetrating atmosphere, fluid and magnetic guitar that resonates Acid Mother's Temple at their most meditative moments and reminiscent Magma

An interesting presentation, nothing extraordinary but a good start.

Onségen ENSEMBLE, Hiukkavaara Session
Voto medio: 6

Tre finlandesi un po' fuori di testa...(Original)

Che strani questi Onségen, esordiscono con un EP bifronte ma catturano la nostra attenzione per l'ispirazione dichiarata: King Crimson, l'elettronica tedesca, i Primal Scream, il compositore e poeta Onségen Olentkojev, tanto che adottano il linguaggio "zaum" (una sorta di esperanto) proprio come l'artista russo. Il trio mescola in modo un po' disordinato (ma efficace, bisogna riconoscerlo) la psichedelia vecchia e nuova, l'elettronica e il prog, tirando fuori una sorta di art rock contaminato, insistente e dedito a sfuriate fragorose e aperture trance.

"Vaino" è un pezzo ossessivo, una sorta di robot-rock che ingabbia gli ultimi Gong, i Queens Of The Stone Age e certe tentazioni frippiane; "Kuuhanka" crea un'atmosfera lisergica e penetrante, chitare fluttuanti e magnetiche, con rimandi agli Acid Mothers Temple dei momenti più meditativi e reminiscenze Magma.

Un esordio interessante, nulla di straordinario ma è un buon primo passo.

Donato Zoppo


 

Uzbekistan Progressive Rock Pages Progressor
Onségen Ensemble - Hiukkavaara session (EP)

Prolusion. Onségen ENSEMBLE is a trio from Oulu, Finland. The band takes their name from Onegen Olentkovey, a Russian poet and composer who ended up on the 'wrong' side of the Soviet government, who packed him off to the gulag. "Hiukkavaara Session" is their debut release (digipack).

Analysis. Vaino begins with promise. It starts with an up-tempo riff, a fast driving beat for a few measures and then the trio is joined by Alisa Saila's pleasant vocals singing a lovely melody, which seems totally out of place with the overall tone and style of the rest of the music. The rest of the song is terribly repetitious with cacophonous jamming, easily the soundtrack to a nightmare. The discord makes the track seem much longer than it is. When Saila and the melody return, it is too late to redeem the song. Again on Kuuhanka, melody is lacking and the construction is primarily jamming around one or two riffs and chords. The vocals on Kuuhanka are something like a low aboriginal chant in places and higher pitched chant in others. The track ends with a prolonged guitar solo.

Conclusion. Mind numbing. The repetition is nearly intolerable. The best thing about this music is the lovely voice of Alisa Saila and there's far too little of it.

KW: January 20, 2006

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GUESTBOOK


Page: 1 2 All

Name: heidi

whatta! perkelettä!?! terveisiä tampetreelta.
VTG toimii, eikä muutkaan huonoja ole, eipä kyllä. simpura! jatkakaa.
(ja muistakee sit pysytellä vireessä juomalla kohtuudella punaista kuohuvaa ála hra T from Hungary.)

29.3.2008 17:50



Name: jani
www: www.dboband.com

fantastic music!

19.2.2008 19:05



Name: Onsgen

Oululaiset voivat ostaa levyn Axst ja keskustan divarista.

23.11.2007 22:04



Name: zeuhl1975

1 of best bands come from Finland!
ZEUHL MUSIC RULES!

02.9.2007 11:45



Name: Tirde

Greetings from Stockholm. Your new Ep sounds heavy even when listened to in the comfort of this great nation. Onrecht Jalon's saxomooze gives me gthe chills!

Thanks for the effort.

23.8.2007 23:47



Name: Hezzu

Hou! Saako tuota uutta ep:t ostaa jostain? Lytyyk esim. xst?

Vs:   xst pits lyty.

20.6.2007 12:42



Name: k
www: www.endpointzero.net

Dodii Veijo,
Helsinkiin sielt niin otetaan parit oluet ja aamupalaksi taas nuuska .)

15.11.2006 21:41



Name: massi

hey your music is great!

20.10.2006 23:35



Name: progprinter
www: http://home.mchsi.com/~progprinter2/

Greetings OE!!

I downloaded your tracks a few months ago and really like your stuff. May I ask when we will see an album? Keep going, we need music like yours!

Vs:   No album in sight yet. Unfortunately we have been quite busy for the last six months or so. The material for a full lenght album is pretty much together, but it needs yet to be arranged and rehearsed. Anyway, Onsgen is planning to record and release some new songs this autmn/winter to keep the thing going on...

07.10.2006 00:53



Name: Jonni

Olipas hiton kovaa vedtyst. Faniuduin noiden parin biisin perusteella. Keep on rockin'! :)

01.9.2006 10:30



Name: Julia's Window
www: http://www.juliaswindow.com

You are invited!

Julia's Window:n sivuilla on esikuunneltavissa palasia tulevalta EP:lt Word of Mouth.

22.2.2006 01:37



Name: Hugo

Thanks for the music!I downloaded the two tracks. It's a bit like Hoyry Kone,probably because they're also Finnish.I also hear some French (Zeul)influences.I like it. Great two tracks.

20.2.2006 09:57



Name: Ske
www: www.yugen.it

i like a lot your music! keep up the good work and good luck for the future

20.2.2006 09:55



Name: Onkel

When its cold I'll heat up the house by putting on some Onsegen. Works every time!

20.2.2006 09:54



Name: Stondy

Very good music. Heavy like a butterfly.

20.2.2006 09:54



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