Oz The Oz CD (Slipcase, booklet, poster, 2025, High Roller Records)

The legendary debut album from Finland’s heavy metal pioneers Oz, originally released in 1982, now returns in a definitive deluxe edition. This reissue features a premium slipcase, extensive booklet, and poster, with transfer, audio restoration, and mastering handled by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony (April 2025).

Formed in 1977 in the small Finnish town of Nakkila, Oz - Mark Ruffneck (Pekka Mark), Ape De Martini (Eero Hämäläinen), Tauno Vajavaara, and Kari Elo- spent five years forging the material that would shape their iconic debut. Packed with raw, early-80s Euro metal power, The Oz delivered instant underground classics like “Saturday Night,” “Capricorn Man,” and the sleazy rocker “Second-Hand Lady.” Its release quickly established Oz as Scandinavia’s leading heavy metal band, even outpacing contemporaries such as Heavy Load.

Originally issued in Finland on Kräk! Records in 1982, the album featured a striking live cover photo and included a lyric sheet. Recorded and mixed at Decibel Studios in Stockholm, it was produced by Börje “The Boss” Forsberg of Tyfon Grammofon (the precursor to Black Mark Production), engineered by Acke Gardebäck, and credited with album design and “recording ideas” by Tomas “Ace” Forsberg - soon to become known worldwide as Quorthon of Bathory.

In Sweden, the record appeared with alternate artwork and the title Heavy Metal Heroes - Hey You, further spreading its cult status across Europe. The album’s growing success eventually prompted Oz to relocate permanently to Stockholm to pursue a full-time recording career.

As drummer Mark Ruffneck later noted: “Typical for Finland- become successful abroad first, and only then your home country takes notice.”

This deluxe reissue celebrates one of the foundational releases of Scandinavian heavy metal - raw, historic, and essential.

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

Artist: Oz
Title:  The Oz
Label: High Roller Records
Catalogue Number: HRR1031CD
UPC: 4251267722327
Release Year: 2025
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
Condition: New & Factory Sealed
Special attributes: Slipcase, Remastered, Booklet, Poster

Tracklist:
1. Hey You  
2. Call from Your Eyes  
3. Runnin' the Line  
4. Rather Knight  
5. Saturday Night  
6. Second-Hand-Lady  
7. In the Chains  
8. Capricorn Man