Teksti-TV 666 — Vapauden Tasavalta
[Svart Records — 2023]★★★★★
Reviewed 20 March 2023by Colin Lang
There are labels, genres, whatever you want to call them, but some are just plain misleading. In the case of Teksti-TV 666's sophomore release, Vapauden Tasavalta, Krautrock is a reach, at best.
Overall, the album packs a ferocious, melodic punch, from the opener, "Kapteeni" (sung in Finnish, as with all of the other tracks). There is an anthemic quality that feels closer to a Wipers' brand of postpunk than anything from the Vaterland. The production is noisier and wilder, too, which combines the best of both worlds – 1979/80 energy and modern recording techniques.
The beginning guitar screeches of "TJ" reminded me of the opening to another gem from 1979: Chrome's Half Machine Lip Moves, though things went a bit groovier from there. Each of the six tracks included is reaching for something, with a restless energy and a focus that might smack of something experimental, but feels extremely taught and organized. I listened repeatedly and found myself smiling as I did, despite my best efforts to sit still. Vapauden tasavalta grabs you by the seat of your pants, and exhorts you to join in the parade, wherever it is headed.
I highly recommend this album for fans of any of the aforementioned bands, or for anyone curious about the kind of anthems being written on the cusp of our northern axis.