Oulu-based heavy metal band Occult Master are preparing their debut album, Occult Master, drawing heavily on the 1970s and 1980s heavy metal and progressive rock that shaped the band’s sound.

The album ranges from straightforward heavy metal attacks to longer, multi-part progressive pieces and quieter, more contemplative passages. There is even a classical guitar track, adding another unexpected turn to the record.

Recorded live, Occult Master deliberately leaves some of the rougher edges intact. Feedback, guitar squeals and other imperfections remain part of the recording rather than being polished away, giving the album a balance between the refinement of a finished record and the character of a live performance.

Occult Master formed in Oulu in 2012, initially playing heavy rock and doom. Following a lineup change in 2020, the band’s music became faster, more rhythmic and more complex, while continuing to draw on their affection for classic heavy metal.

That approach allows the songs to move between full-throttle metal and quieter, eerie passages, with lyrics dealing with life and the wider world alongside occasional horror stories delivered with a devilish grin.