Xysma

In late-'80s Finland, the mysterious outfit Xysma came together thanks to an oddly monikered lineup featuring Joanitor Lottoner on lead vocals, Foreigner Lawny handling vocals and guitars, Minister Stranius on guitars and keyboards, Gablo Heavenly covering both electric and upright basses, and Orvis Goodnight behind the drums. Their wildly unconventional body of work began with the 1990 Fata Morgana EP, followed right away by the full-length debut Yeah in 1991, and over time traversed far too many sonic avenues to fit any single category. Later releases, among them 1993's First and Magical, 1995's Deluxe, and especially 1996's Lotto, revealed a clearer yet still unconventional alternative rock direction that occasionally veered into industrial music and noise rock. The 1998 Singles odds and sods collection seemed to mark the close of their run, though the band never issued any formal announcement of a split.