KABBEL–the moniker of French artist Gregory Hoepffner–today released his debut album When The War Is Over via Perturbator’s record label Music of the Void; listen HERE. When The War Is Over–performed, composed, and produced by Hoepffner, and with mixing by Lars Stalfors (The Mars Volta, Paramore, TR/ST, Carly Rae Jepsen)–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. “I like to imagine this album as a form of protest, in various ways,” Hoepffner says. “KABBEL has become a tool for me to question my own education, allow unfiltered emotions to come to the surface, and talk about sexuality on my own terms. In current times, this collection of songs also feels like a motivational soundtrack to hopefully inspire people not to give up: don’t give up on your rights, don’t give up on your talent, don’t give up on society. Keep fighting for the future you want. Your existence isn’t defined by algorithms and sad billionaires. Fuck them. You are not alone, you matter, you can do it.”
The album’s expansive, poignant title track is also out today alongside a self-directed video. Hoepffner explains: “For me this song is about the fallout of a relationship. But being in a state of war can apply to many different things in our daily lives. I wanted to express the exhaustion of having your whole existence reduced to that, and the absolute waste of time it has been when it’s over. You are not just what you’re fighting against, you are mostly what you hope to reach after that conflict.” Previous singles–the synth-pop banger “Fiction Clouds,” the industrial dance track “Elephant,” and the epic “Reward” feat. Perturbator–have earned praise and support from FLOOD Magazine, New Noise Magazine, MXDWN, Dork, and more.
Watch the video for When The Was Is Over HERE or by clicking the image below.
Across the bold and magnetic album, KABBEL deepens and expands his signature “queer sadcore” genre. Hoepffner assumes many musical identities, but KABBEL–who performs live with a band, and has shared the stage with heavyweights like HEALTH and Alcest–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. It’s a shield that keeps certain apprehensions–“Am I allowed to sing about this?”–at bay. “Trying to recapture the immense excitement of writing my first songs when I was 15 or 16 is often the starting point, and then adding in the production experience I’ve gathered over the past 20 years.”
With When The War Is Over, KABBEL is ready to claim his place in the heavy music landscape.
KABBEL Live Dates:
11/07 – Die Trompete – Bochum, DE ^
11/09 – Mikropol – Berlin, DE ^
11/11 – Backstage – Paris, FR ^
11/12 – Ferrailleur – Nantes, FR ^
11/14 – Noumatrouff – Mulhouse, FR ^
11/15 – Black Lab – Lille, FR ^
^ all dates supporting Cage Fight
When The War Is Over LP Tracklist:
1. The Blaming Game
2. Fiction Clouds
3. R Chrome
4. Reward feat. Perturbator
5. Afterlife feat. Imer6ia
6. No More XTC
7. Elephant
8. You Don’t Matter
9. Endless
10. When The War Is Over
‘WHEN THE WAR IS OVER’ OUT NOW VIA MUSIC OF THE VOID
