Tekstu TV-666 - Aidettu Tulevaisuus
by Adrian Janes
published: 3 / 11 / 2018

Label:
Svart Records
Format: CD
intro
Debut from Finnish six-piece rock band Teksti-TV 666 which is a more than promising start
We know about their phones and their superior educational system, but It’s not often that the chance comes along to hear rock from Finland. ‘Aidattu Tulevaissus’ (which translates as ‘Fenced Future’ or possibly 'Fenced in'), suggests that, as with their Nordic neighbours, music is made there that there’s no reason shouldn’t appeal more widely as long as it’s exposed. Not waiting to speed up from 0 to 60, ‘Turbo Mondeo’ immediately hurtles you forward like a passenger in the hands of an expert driver, fuelled by a blend of high octane guitars that evokes Wray or a punky God Speed You! Black Emperor. Despite the potential overkill of Teksti-TV 666’s four guitars there is in fact an exciting intensity to their dense sound: if it’s a wall, it’s one built by skilful masons who don’t get in each other’s way. The title track is another song of near unremitting energy, the vocal sounding something like a Mick Jones-led Clash song in its rough-hewn pop punkiness. Musically, there are moments of Jesus and Mary Chain power, crossed with heavy metal chords. As if to confirm the band’s uninhibited mix of various influences, ‘Rauhankone’ (‘Peace Machine’) begins with a sludgy metal feel and tom tom rolls like the portentous intro to a prog track, before morphing into a moderate-paced Krautrock number carried along by catchy singing and deep throbbing bass. At the dramatic climax, layers of sustained guitar and crazed drumming raise it to another level again. Pounding guitars and drums open ‘Serverny’, but it’s also a song with more space in it than is granted elsewhere in much of the album, allowing room for some fairly poppy group vocals and a mellow reverbed guitar line. ‘Katko’, a title which can suggest either an interruption (e.g. in TV transmission) or a stint in rehab, is played with great zest, and it’s also a chance to better hear the interaction of the guitars. Yet it’s somewhat directionless too, like an extended version of a passage in a Sonic Youth song, albeit one that builds to a satisfyingly wild conclusion. No lyric sheet is provided, but it sounds like Teksti-TV 666 stick to singing in Finnish. Recognisable feelings still come across though, and at least the listener has the opportunity to use the kind of creativity that goes into misheard lyric websites. Little-known as yet outside their native country, this is a band and an album that deserve to drive straight through the fences of frontiers, into the future. Thanks to Outi Jokiharju for invaluable assistance with translations to this review.
Track Listing:-
1 Turbo-Mondeo2 Aidattu Tulevaisuus
3 Rauhankone
4 Serverny
5 Katko
Label Links:-
http://www.svartrecords.com/https://www.youtube.com/user/SvartRecords
https://www.facebook.com/svartrecords
https://twitter.com/svartrecords
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewCathode Ray - Interview
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Pulp - More
Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart