by Kimi Kärki (Foreword by), Nino Wächter (Contribution by), Harri Nieminen (Contribution by)
Four-String Magic tells the primordial history of Xysma, when the band was still playing grindcore and death metal. It also reveals things about the underground extreme metal and hardcore scene of the time (1988-1992), especially at Auran Panimo of Turku, Finland. What was the scene like some 30 years ago?The book contains appendices from Rotten fanzine and plenty of interviews and such (from Matti Kärki of Dismember, Marko Laiho of Beherit, Jani Muurinen of Xysma, Harri Nieminen & Nino Wächter of Today's Waste, Jukka Taskinen of Disgrace, Heikki Peltonen of Akaa's MR-studio, Tomas Skogsberg of Sunlight studio, Teje Caldén of ComeBack Records, Veli-Matti Äijälä, M.A. Numminen, and others). The foreword has been written by Kimi Kärki, Ph.D."To cross cultural borders with style, one needs to have a clear audio-vision, and a lot of courage. Xysma never played it safe" - Kimi Kärki.Vesa Iitti, MA, a writer and a translator, was Xysma's first bassist (1988-1992). He played on the band's demo Swarming of the Maggots (1989), mini-LP Above the Mind of Morbidity (1990), a 7" Fata Morgana (1990) and on their first full-length album Yeah (1991).