Jussi Lehtisalo Explained

Jussi Lehtisalo
Birth Date:	1972
Origin:	Pori, Finland
Instruments:	Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Years Active:	1991–present
Label:	Ektro

Jussi Lehtisalo (born 1972) is a Finnish musician. In 1991, he founded Circle, a prolific band drawing influences from heavy metal and krautrock to develop a style of repetitive experimental rock. He also runs a record label, Ektro Records, releasing his own music alongside left field rock and metal releases by artists such as Faust and Acid Mothers Temple.

Biography

Circle

Still the main project for Lehtisalo's musical endeavours, Circle have released 40 albums since 1994. Throughout the band's ever-shifting line-up,^[1] Lehtisalo has been the only constant presence, and de facto leader. The current core line-up of the band – Mika Rättö, Janne Westerlund, Tomi Leppänen and Lehtisalo – is the longest consistent incarnation of the group, and although their output has slowed down since the mid-2000s, Lehtisalo has shown no sign that he plans to wind the band up.

Other projects

Lehtisalo is involved in a large number of projects outside of Circle, most notably Pharaoh Overlord, originally the trio of Leppänen, Westerlund and Lehtisalo indulging in a passion for stoner rock. He and Rättö have also released several albums as a duo (Rättö ja Lehtisalo) and one as a trio with Kauko Röyhkä. The improvisation-based Ektroverde^[2] uses various electronic instrument, jazz drumming, and 1970s-style progressive rock riffs.^[3] Other bands are Iron Magazine, Oric, Dekathlon, Pakasteet, Sakset, Doktor Kettu, Steel Mammoth and Lehtisalofamily, which consists of Lehtisalo accompanied by his parents. Grumbling Fur, meanwhile, is a collaboration with Daniel O'Sullivan of Guapo and Alexander Tucker, amongst others. 2012 saw the debut release from Split Cranium, a collaboration with Aaron Turner of Isis.

Discography

Circle

See Circle discography

Jussi Lehtisalo

• Jussi Lehtisalo: Dead (2019, Ruton Music)
• Jussi Lehtisalo: Spectrum (2017, Ruton Music)
• Jussi Lehtisalo: Maisteri (2015, Full Contact)
• Jussi Lehtisalo: The Complete Solo Works (2013, Ektro)
• Jussi Lehtisalo: Interludes for Prepared Beast (2012, Ektro)
• Jussi Lehtisalo: Rotta (2010, Ektro)

Pharaoh Overlord

See Pharaoh Overlord discography

Rättö ja Lehtisalo

See Rättö ja Lehtisalo discography

Ektroverde

• Ektroverde, Pingvin (1998, Ektro Records CD)
• Ektroverde, Futuro – A New Stance For Tomorrow (1998, Ektro Records CD)
• Ektroverde, Arpeggio (1999, Bad Vugum CD)
• Ektroverde, Harakkakuisti (2000, Ektro Records CD)
• Ektroverde, Integral (2000, Snowdonia/Mizmaze CD)
• Ektroverde, Ukkossalama (2003, Ektro Records CD)

Steel Mammoth

• Steel Mammoth, Atomic Mountain (2007, Ektro Records CD)^[4]
• Steel Mammoth, The Kingdom of the Golden Hammer (2008, Super Metsä CD)
• Steel Mammoth, Nuclear Ritual (2009, Musapojat CD)
• Steel Mammoth, Radiation Funeral (2011, Ektro Records LP)
• Steel Mammoth, Nuclear Rebirth (2011, Full Contact Records LP)

Other projects

Albums

• Lehtisalofamily, Interplay (1997, Ektro Records CD)
• Kirvasto, Täydellisiä Kysymyksiä, Täydellisiä Vastauksia (1998, Bad Vugum CD)
• Eturivi, Ylhäisten Kastien Kelvottomat Jälkeläiset (2002, Verdura CD)
• Rakhim, Rakhim (2006, Qbico LP)
• Rakhim, Crimson Umbrella (2007, 20 Buck Spin CD)
• Doktor Kettu, Soft Delirium (2009, Super Metsä CD)
• Lusiferiinin Armosta, Nuolee (2009, Ektro Records CD)
• Susi-Unto, Puheluja pimeältä puolelta (2010, Full Contact LP)
• Grumbling Fur, Furrier (2011, Aurora Borealis CD)
• Split Cranium, Split Cranium (2012, Hydra Head Records CD/LP)
• Pakasteet with Charles Hayward: Molten Salt (2019, Full Contact LP)
• Pakasteet ja Draama-Helmi: Tyhjä risteys (2019, Full Contact LP)

Singles

• Ektroverde, Mortalaattori (1996, Ektro Records CDEP)
• Ektroverde, Music For Supermarket EP (1998, Bad Vugum CDEP)
• Ektroverde, Svart/Orange (1999, Fonal Records 7-inch)
• Ektroverde/Hinageshi Bondage, Varovaisesti Kotiin/Tänään Ruokalassa/Peltilehmä (1999, Verdura split 7-inch)
• Eturivi, Lempilapset (1999, Verdura 7-inch)
• Steel Mammoth, Nuclear Barbarians (2007, Ektro Records CDEP)
• Motorspandex, Torment Star (2008, Full Contact 7-inch)
• Arkhamin Kirjasto, Arkhamin Kirjasto (2010, Full Contact 7-inch)

Notes and References

1. http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue7/circle04.html Interview with Teemu Elo
2. http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue7/circle04.html Interview with Teemu Elo
3. News: Mamone. Jordan M.. Rev. of Elektroverde, Arpeggio. CMJ New Music Monthly. 26 June 2015. 19 July 1999. 26–27.
4. http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue38/steelmammoth.htm Review of Atomic Mountain