Name: Kahdet Kasvot
Brand: Kummitus

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SRE594CD

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-09-23

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

6430050660178

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

SRE594LP

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2022-08-26

6430050660093

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1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / red

Artist

Kummitus

Genre GB

Psychedelic

Label GB

Svart

Svart is a Finnish label that was established in Turku in 2009 by two individuals, specializing in re-releasing underground music on vinyl. They have gained recognition for their label series, *Jazz Liisa* and *Pop-Liisa*, which showcase the best of underground music. With a focus on quality and authenticity, Svart has become a trusted name in the industry.

Kummitus (Finnish for “Ghost”), a horror rock band from Tampere who were active in the mid- ’70s, is certainly one of the strangest entities in the history of Finnish rock music. Their original vision was to create a mystical band that builds on horror or hysteria and performs in costumes, frightening their live audience. The band had also considered remaining completely anonymous. However, the concept proved inadequate for various reasons. Keyboardist Hannu Latva-Hakuni recalls: “We quickly ditched the masks and costumes because we had to show up before the show during the load in.” As the band’s manager, Heikki Kauppinen designed Kummitus a light show together with Pekka Heinänen who was responsible for the costumes. 

Flyers saying “KUMMITUS IS COMING” were distributed all over Finland. When the band hit the road in the summer of 1975, the light show was of course ruined by sunshine. Later on Heikki Kauppinen was contacted by Kari True to its name, Kahdet Kasvot (Two Faces) clearly consists of two different sides. The straightforward and rocking side A is kicked off with ‘Paranoia’, composed by Niemi and featuring lyrics written by Tammilehto. The murky synth parts are a fine addition to the “robust rock music”, as the original pressing’s liner notes describe the song. As an uptempo rock song, Juhani Kivistö’s ‘Tuonen rock &amp; roll’ may bring to mind early Coitus Int, whereas ‘Taivaassa taas’ and its devoted vocal performances share DNA with Kontra’s Finnrock. ‘Nauru haamuille’, written by Tammilehto, features proggy guitar patterns and a ghastly synth solo. ‘Se on ok’ was written by Niemi while the rest of the band was dining, with the purpose of making the album long enough to be sold at a full price.

The more experimental four-part entity of side B was, according to the liner notes, dedicated to “Spike Jones and an Englishman named Waters.” Pink Floyd influences are apparent in dramatic sound effects and certain details in the arrangements. ‘On the Run’ from The Dark Side of the Moon can be seen as one of the role models for the nightmarish track ‘Ilme’. The title track, written and sang by Tammilehto, is a catchy rock composition, and Kivistö’s ‘Kuudes päivä’ effectively mixes Floydian prog and blues nuances with saxophone-filled soul. The guest blower Lucjan Czaplicki played in Uranus, whose sole album Aamun hauta (1975) was also released by BASF. Even without the band’s unusual history, Kahdet Kasvot would deserve a second coming as an original and interesting album. To cite Hannu Latva-Hakuni, “listening to the album now, almost 50 years later, I think we did a hell of a good job.”

Kahdet Kasvot

Music GB