Episode 44 – 44th & Magical: Xysma 1989 – 1998

When Uranus falls, once and for all, in the cosmic background will be heard the humming, buzzing sound of a tragically-overlooked group of travelers. Formed in 1988 in Turku, Finland, Xysma waged a decade-long war against expectation and small-mindedness. With phantasm-like stealth, the band moved from scatalogical grind to groovy Sab-death to vendetta rock, as well as all points in between and beyond. On this episode of Radical Research, our 44th, we plumb the depths of Xysma’s bewildering catalog, turning over the stones that pockmark the band’s vast forest of sound. Whether you skew “Pyosisfied” or Pet Sounds, you will find refuge in the wild imagination of Xysma. If this is your first listen to this podcast, we hope it will be magical. For the veterans, go big and win the lotto. Yeah! Note I: We had some frustrating technical issues while recording this episode. We tried to clean it up as much as possible. Our apologies for some rough moments. Note II: Please visit https://www.radicalresearch.org/qa-with-mikko-mattila-on-xysma/ for our Xysma-centric interview with Isten mastermind, Mikko Mattila. Note III: Please consider donating if you listen to Radical Research often: https://www.paypal.me/rrpodcast

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Pulsating Cerebral Slime” (Swarming of the Maggots, 1989 demo) “Gripping Slaughter” (Swarming of the Maggots, 1989 demo) “Phrenetic Chainsaw Suicide” (Swarming of the Maggots, 1989 demo) “Entangled in Shreds” (Above the Mind of Morbidity, 1990 EP) “Dismemberment in Trance” (Above the Mind of Morbidity, 1990 EP) “Embodiment of Morbidity” (Fata Morgana 7”, 1991) “Aspirations b) First Sunbeams of the New Beginning” (Yeah, 1991) “Above the Horizon” (Yeah, 1991) “Until I Reach the Unattainable” (Yeah, 1991) “One More Time” (First & Magical, 1993) “Uranus Falls Again” (First & Magical, 1993) “Can’t Imagine Your Death” (First & Magical, 1993) “Nice Pale” (Deluxe, 1994) “Le Mans 66” (Deluxe, 1994) “So Divine” (Deluxe, 1994) “Shortest Route” (Lotto, 1996) “New Gel in Town” (Lotto, 1996) “Shoes” (Lotto, 1996) “Honest Love” (Singles, 1997) “Fit” (Girl on the Beach, 1998) “Life in the Sea” (Girl on the Beach, 1998) “I’m Not Ready to Dance” (Girl on the Beach, 1998) “Uranus Falls” (Yeah, 1991) episode 45 preview: Manes, “Death of the Genuine” (Vilosophe, 2003)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 44.