OZ Fire In The Brain CD (Slipcase, Poster, 2025, High Roller Records)

Fire in the Brain is the second full-length studio album from Finnish heavy metal pioneers Oz, originally released in 1983 and widely regarded as one of the band’s defining works. This High Roller Records reissue comes presented in a CD slipcase with an extensive booklet and poster, featuring transfer, audio restoration, and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in April 2025, ensuring the album finally receives the sound quality it deserves.

Oz were formed in 1977 in the small Finnish town of Nakkila and quickly emerged as one of Europe’s earliest and most influential heavy metal bands. The classic line-up featured drummer Mark “Ruffneck” Pekka Mark, vocalist Ape De Martini, bassist Tauno Vajavaara, and guitarist Kario Elo. After spending several years honing their sound, the band made a major impact with their debut album Heavy Metal Heroes – Hey You, which found success not only in Finland but across continental Europe. This momentum led Oz to relocate to Stockholm, allowing them to fully focus on a professional recording career.

Released in 1983, Fire in the Brain built upon the foundation of the debut while delivering an even darker, heavier, and more aggressive sound. Tracks such as “Search Lights,” “Fortune,” “Megalomaniac,” “Gambler,” and the explosive title track showcase a band operating at peak intensity, combining speed, atmosphere, and classic European heavy metal songwriting. The album received outstanding reviews in the underground press, including England’s Metal Forces, and earned a 9/10 rating from Martin Popoff in his Collector’s Guide to Heavy Metal, where he described it as a relentlessly pounding and deeply European metal statement.

Often cited as Oz’s most popular and influential release, Fire in the Brain stands as a cornerstone of early 1980s European heavy metal. This High Roller Records edition is an essential addition for collectors, fans of traditional heavy metal, and anyone exploring the roots of Finnish and NWOBHM-influenced metal history.

Recommended if you like: Accept, Saxon, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Riot V, Running Wild, Stormwitch, Heavy Load, Ostrogoth

Artist: OZ 
Title:  Fire In The Brain
Label: High Roller Records
Catalogue Number: HRR1032CD
UPC:  4251267722372
Release Year: 2025
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
Condition: New & Factory Sealed
Special attributes: Slipcase, Poster, Remastered Reissue

Tracklist:

1. Search Lights  
2. Fortune  
3. Megalomaniac  
4. Black Candles 
5. Gambler  
6. Stop Believen'  
7. Free Me, Leave Me  
8. Fire in the Brain