Biography
Named after a now-defunct Finnish electric utility, Perttu Häkkinen (as Randy Barracuda) and Jaakko Kestilä (as Fresh O. Lexxx) began producing dark, heavy electro in the closing years of the 1990s. Operating out of Helsinki, the pair steadily built recognition within the capital’s underground circuit. Their performances, occasionally featuring strippers alongside other provocative visuals, cemented their standing as the notorious figures of Finnish electronic music. The Super Breakout 12" on Kostamus Records marked their initial outing, after which the Norwegian imprint Tellektro took them on, issuing multiple singles before releasing the debut album The Church of Latterday Maggots. Imatran Voima’s sound centered on dark electro, its textures defined by forceful and at times overpowering bass. Visually they drew from American gangsta-rap aesthetics, treating sex and firearms as standard motifs; track names such as In/Out, Group Sex, and Techno Slut underscored the stance. Once The Church of Latterday Maggots surfaced, the duo enjoyed a firm cult following both domestically and across global electro communities. They were also valued as skilled producers, remixers, and DJs, each maintaining side projects. Although Tellektro ceased operations in 2005, Imatran Voima kept issuing 12"s on assorted labels, culminating in the 2007 follow-up Welfare State of Mind on Mighty Robot Recordings.