Oz (Finnish band)

Oz (written OZ) is a heavy metal band originally from Nakkila, Finland. It was formed in 1977, split in 1991 and re-established 2010.

Since 1983 Oz has been active mostly in Sweden as the band members moved to Stockholm after the release of their second album. 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.

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. The subsequent albums, however, failed to elicit the same response, and the band faded from worldwide view. The band reformed in 2010 and released a new album the following year.

Line-up

Current members

• Ape De Martini (Tapani Hämäläinen) – lead vocals (1977–1991, 2010–present)
• Jay C. Blade (Jukka Lewis) – bass, vocals (1982–1987, 2010–present)
• Mark Ruffneck (Pekka Mark) – drums (1977–1991, 2010–present)
• Markku Petander – guitars (2010–present)

Live musicians

• Michel Santunione - guitar
• John Berg - guitar
• Johannes Sandberg - bass

Former members

• Costello Hautamäki - guitars (2010)
• Spooky Wolff – guitars (1983–1987)
• Speedy Foxx – guitars (1983–1987)
• Esa Niva – guitars (1982–1983)
• Kari Elo – guitars (1982)
• Fredrik Thörnholm – bass (1990–1991)
• Michael Lundholm – guitars (1990–1991)
• Tauno Vajavaara – bass (1982)
• Tobbe Moen – bass (1990)
• Jörgen Schelander – keyboards (1990–1991)

Discography

• Heavy Metal Heroes (1982)
• Fire in the Brain (1983)
• III Warning (1984)
• Turn the Cross Upside Down (1985)
• Decibel Storm (1986)
• Roll the Dice (1991)
• Promo CD Dominator (2011)
• Burning Leather (2011)

See also

• New wave of British heavy metal

External links

• The band's official website
• Page on the band on Metal Archives
• Real Audio Files of Fire in The Brain