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The Finnish trio that made up Pohjantahti released their self-titled debut in 1986, an LP of tremendous weirdness, based – perhaps inspired is closer - on the music of the Finno-Ugric nations, and also their own compositions which referenced the Kalevala, the Finnish national myth. With Sami joiking and overtone singing, it’s not an easy listen – the vocal opener, “Hyyperö, Huuhkana, Kuihkamo,” is about as accessible and inviting as Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music, and at times the disc becomes disturbingly stranger than that.
However, there are glimpses of light, like “Haapana Uni,” which offers a poignant, mournful melody, and “Kynnel Putoaa” a track that sounds as if it’s wandered away from a 70s prog album. At its core, though, this is a daring experiment that was possibly far ahead of its time. Or possibly any time. Reissued 34 years later, does it seem more in tune with the world? You’ll have to decide. - Chris Nickson
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