Instrumental albums are not so usual in Metal music, however, there was a tradition that each Metal album should have at least one instrumental track. I guess I had said this before like a gazillion times, or, every time I was with an instrumental album. However, this is the first time I have an album that mixes both pure instrumentals tracks with non-instrumentals. Kaupe “Destroyer of Worlds” is an instrumental album until the fifth track “Next Time Wear a Black Shirt.” That repeats with the eighth track “RMR 1029.” Well, on Kaupe’s behalf, Yngwie Malmsteen’s debut album “Rising Force” was a kind of a hybrid mixing pure instrumental tracks with non-instrumentals.
The fun fact about “Destroyer of Worlds” is that I initially thought it was a pure instrumental album. As I said, the first non-instrumental was only the fifth track “Next Time Wear a Black Shirt” – by the way, what a cool title. The thing is that Kaupe provide the fan a trip to the Metal music world showing all the influences the band has. For this reason, the album is very varied. Well, keep in mind that there is also the element of being instrumental. I mean, instrumental songs must have all kinds of musical attractions to keep the fan listening, as we all know the voice does this job most of the time. Instrumental songs require more creativity from the musicians. In a sense, “Destroyer of Worlds” does that with very flying colors.
The first great impression of the album is its cover clearly inspired on the film War of the Worlds. Album warmer “The Past Will Own You” presents “Destroyer of Worlds” with a very energetic and adrenalized vibe with some Rush intent on the guitars and bass maybe due to the science fiction thematic. Then comes “Living Among the Dead” with nothing to do with the previous track. No kidding, the track is totally different. For instance, the rough and loud guitars were the stars of album warmer; now, they are a little bit more ethereal with effects that give them some kind of Space Rock aura. But, the energy is the same. Interestingly, besides being an instrumental band which sometimes is a synonym of more stable music, Kaupe keep the energy and adrenaline high as they did with “Unresolved Trauma“ with fast and complex guitar riffs and a flamboyant drumming. By the way, there are no keyboards credits in the press release, but the instrument is a constant in the album giving sometimes the tone of the song. By the way, the burning question is what was the unresolved trauma? Album title track is harsher with solid guitars to always remind we are talking about Metal even though the keyboards are very prominent, but the guitar riffs are excellent. But, the thing that called my attention instantly was the Iron Butterfly “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida“ keyboarding. As I said before, all tracks in the album are alike.
From what I have been experiencing here, it has been a constant with Metal music the use of sci-fi and Space Rock elements not only in the music, but also with the imagery. The interesting thing is that it is spread around all Metal music subgenres. “Destroyer of Worlds” is a great album for the ones who appreciate instrumental music.
Kaupe “Destroyer of Worlds” will be released on October 17th via Morbid Subculture.
Track Listing:
1. The Past Will Own You
2. Living Among the Dead
4. Destroyer of Worlds
5. Next Time Wear a Black Shirt
6. All That is Left is Sin
7. The Joy of Sorrow
8. RMR 1029
9. Rosen Bridge
Watch “Unresolved Trauma” alive video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!