Decibel Storm

Euro metal pioneers OZ were formed in Nakilla, Finland, in 1977. The original incarnation of the band consisted of Tapani Hämäläinen (Ape DeMartine) on vocals, Kari Elo on guitar, Tauno Vajavaara (Tani) on bass and Pekka Mark (Mark Ruffneck) behind the drums. After playing up and down Finland, OZ moved to Stockholm in 1983 and signed a long-term deal with Börje Forsberg’s Tyfon Grammofon AB label [of course Börje Forsberg, aka The Boss, was the father of Bathory’s Quorthon]. They went on to become one of the most important heavy metal bands in Scandinavia recording five studio albums all in all before splitting up in the winter of 1991/92. Following »OZ« (1982), the band’s landmark album »Fire In The Brain« (1983) and »III Warning« (1984), »Decibel Storm« from 1985 was the band’s fourth studio effort. According to drummer Mark Ruffneck, »Decibel Storm« was basically on the same quality level as its two predecessors: “I think it’s a good album. Unfortunately it hasn't gotten the same kind of global recognition as »Fire In The Brain« and »III Warning«, and that's partly because things happened with the record company that shouldn't have happened.” He continues: “All band members wrote songs for »Decibel Storm«, we produced the album ourselves, and we played really tight together as a band. These were the ingredients needed for a good OZ album.” As some sort of surprise, the record also includes a stomping cover version of “Teenage Rampage” by The Sweet. Mark Ruffneck explains the reason behind that decision: “»Decibel Storm« was an album aimed at the American market. Therefore we wanted a song that was well-known, but had been released a while ago. The song wasn't heavy metal, but it would work like heavy metal. The Sweet number ‘Teenage Rampage’ was exactly that. We tried to do what Quiet Riot did with two Slade classics.”