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Review: OZ - Roll the Dice
OZ
www.ozofficial.com
Roll the Dice

Label: Black Mark Productions
Year released: 1991
Duration: 39:24
Tracks: 10
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
3.25/5


Review online: October 28, 2022
Reviewed by: Luxi Lahtinen
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 3.33/5 (66.67%) (6 Votes)
Review

OZ's fifth studio album, Roll the Dice, was the last album these legendary Finns put out before first calling it quits in 1991. I wish I could say it was a strong swansong for the time, but sadly, OZ had started softening their edge to chase the commercial tit of arena rock bands of the time with this release. This could have been due to the lineup changes and bassist Jay C. Blade being absent, as his work was always a defining feature of the band, but no matter what caused this change, it resulted in an album that was a far cry from their classics like Fire in the Brain and III Warning, and certainly not their equal by any stretch. I can't say there's anything particularly bad about songs like "Midnight Lady," "Runaways," and "Out of Touch," and from any other arena rock band, I'd say they're pretty good. The problem is this is OZ we're talking about, and hearing them turn into a generic rock act is nothing short of a tragedy, especially when all the tracks on here lack the power, aggression, and cohesion the band was once known for. At one point, this was a sad coda for the band to end on, but thanks to their 2010 revival going strong, now it just stands as a curious whimper to end their first run on.

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Review: Burning Leather (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Burning Leather (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Fire in the Brain (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Forced Commandments (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
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Review: Forced Commandments (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
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Review: The OZ (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: Transition State (reviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Review: Transition State (reviewed by MetalMike)
Interview with Mark Ruffneck (drums) on October 2, 2011 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with vocalist Ape De Martini and drummer Mark Ruffneck on September 19, 2012 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on January 17, 2014 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with vocalist Ape De Martini, guitarists Juzzy and Johnny, bassist Peppi and drummer Mark Ruffneck on March 26, 2016 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on December 13, 2017 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on September 30, 2018 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on March 22, 2020 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
Interview with drummer Mark Ruffneck on December 21, 2023 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)
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