Kabbel to release debut album When The War Is Over

On 30 October Kabbel will release his debut album When The War Is Over on Music of the Void. Kabbel, real name Gregory Hoepffner, wrote and produced When The War Is Over himself in a small studio in Sweden, where he lives part of the time. The album was mixed by Lars Stalfors (The Mars Volta, Paramore, Carly Rae Jepsen). Featuring a guest appearance by darkwave artist Perturbator, Kabbel deepens and broadens his signature ‘queer sadcore’ genre. The new single Reward ft. Perturbator is out now.

French artist Gregory Hoepffner assumes many musical identities, but Kabbel is surely the most unusual. Above all else, Kabbel is a character: a freeing creative outlet that allows Hoepffner to play with sonic elements that he wouldn’t dare touch in other circumstances. Kabbel isn’t afraid to disturb and will do it with unwavering flair. “This character allows me to tackle certain subjects (like minority stress) or musical aesthetics (like alt rock and metal) that would be filtered out in other contexts for me,” explains Hoepffner. “I never had a ‘role model’ in this scene to turn to in order to accept my sexuality. I spent most of my life wanting to be someone else because I thought I was an anomaly, not fitting into any box. I started living a real life quite late, and making music was the only thing I had when I was alone. It was the only thing that allowed me to have friends, a social life, a job... So it’s important for me to be an artist that says ‘it’s OK to be queer/gay/lesbian and to make and/or enjoy dark and weird music. You belong here and fuck those who think otherwise'.”

When The War Is Over is a sonic redirection for Kabbel, taming the experimental side of his 2021 EP End Of Norms and embracing the pop demons that keep haunting him. You’ll hear dark darwave with metal guitar riffs, complemented by a pop edge and sometimes even elements from the nightclub scene. The result is a surge of dancefloor energy and melodic hooks and the standout single Fiction Clouds. “This song is about minority stress, which in my case concerns the LGBTQ community. It’s about the anxiety felt around potential or lived discriminations, rejection or bullying, the stress becomes so internalized that it turns into constant paranoia.”

The album concludes with the impressive title track – a song that captures the essence of the album. “Naming the album after this track was a significant move. I think it’s the most beautiful song I’ve ever composed,” Hoepffner explains. “The title is something I would like to hear regarding the state of the world right now, even though Kabbel’s universe is mostly focused on inner conflicts. Being in a constant state of war takes all your energy, and reduces your life to this battle. There are many things we feel the need to battle these days: climate change, the comeback of fascism, tech-billionaires stealing our work and using precious resources to re-brand it...” he continues, “There’s a lot of hurt and negative emotion in this album, but the goal is to make a bonfire out of this darkness; it’s a ceremony where you can burn all the sadness in your life and move on.

On the first single Reward, Kabbel once again teams up with James Kent, alias Perturbator (they had previously collaborated on a Depeche Mode cover for the soundtrack to American Psycho Comics). Lyrically, the track is about Hoepffner’s younger years as a touring band member in the DIY hardcore scene, with synthesizers adding a cinematic atmosphere to the heavy track. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I was chasing at the start of my career wasn’t fame or success, it was genuine human connection. I owe everything valuable in my life to my past music adventures: my jobs, my friends, my partner. In the long run, the ‘product’ matters less than the experience. That’s the reward.” Watch the video below.