Finnish musician Deracol bares his soul across his expansive and recently released two-part project, 'Lifelong Reaction I' and 'Lifelong Reaction II'. Marking his most ambitious undertaking so far, the collection builds on his background in game music and YouTube covers, unleashing a dark anthology and deeply personal narrative – a testament to transformation and a quest for release.
'Lifelong Reaction I' plunges listeners into the artist's past, unearthing the origins of trauma and significant painful events. Deracol states, "All the feelings, emotions and my soul are poured into this album. In pain, in truth, I tell my story to you." Musically, this translates into an often-unrelenting fusion of industrial metal and harsher black metal sounds, frequently underscored by symphonic synth layers and dark ambient passages. The album opens with an almost childlike spoken word piece, 'I Deserve It All', transitioning from delicate piano and a child's voice into a ferocious metallic outburst.
Elsewhere, Deracol uses the album as an explosive platform from which to address serious issues. Tracks like 'Loser' address school bullying through a spiked industrial edge, while ‘Broken Promises’ cuts into the heart of a parents' divorce. Elsewhere, 'Desolated Ship' explores hurt in romantic relationships and marks a chronological descent into personal agony, culminating in the feeling of collapse captured in the aptly titled 'Collapse'.
Picking up where the first part ends, 'Lifelong Reaction II' navigates the aftermath of these experiences with a more nuanced touch. It’s an album that dives into difficult realisations about the world's darker aspects and a turning point towards faith and embracing positivity. As Deracol explains, "Now there's horrible realizations, that everything's not as they may seem. World's corruption is far more worse than I ever thought. Everything bad, that was and is going on, are now getting perished. Here, I'm beginning to find faith in God and embracing good things in life. Never have I made a better decision. I'm now a new man and this is just a beginning for a lifelong adventure."
While this part introduces moments of revelation, sometimes with sweeping choral elements, the musical landscape remains dynamic, often reverting to the starker sounds established in part. There’s a more defined and almost calculated feel, with tempered beats and driving percussive moments taking hold. However, a pivotal shift occurs with 'Reborn', signifying the artist's embrace of Christianity and a newfound perspective. This doesn't signal an end to challenges, as highlighted by the breakdown in 'Last Drop of Humanity', but introduces a foundation of hope. Tracks following 'Reborn' adopt a different tone, reflecting belief in a better future and inner peace despite external turmoil.
With over 45 tracks, including instrumental versions, 'Lifelong Reaction I & II' is clearly as much about the unfolding story as it is the music itself. While the sheer volume and the intensity of the subject matter can be overwhelming, the project offers a raw and unflinching look into a personal battle and the transformative power of finding hope.
It’s not always an easy or clear listen, wrapped in forceful sounds and an uncompromising artistic vision, but it is infinitely rewarding, offering new experiences with each listen. You can stream both parts today and be sure to dig into the album’s lyrics which are currently available on Bandcamp. For more, be sure to visit Deracol's website or connect via Instagram.
