"Reality Turns To Dust" is the first/debut studio album by the Swiss Power / Thrash Metal band "DRIFTER", the album was produced by "Kalle Trap" and released in 1988. The illustration on the album front cover was by Edda & Uwe Karczewski. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.
Released in 1988, Drifter's "Reality Turns to Dust" emerged during a vibrant and diverse era for heavy metal. This 12" vinyl LP, with its striking cover art, showcased the Swiss band's unique blend of power and thrash metal, contributing to the growing European metal scene.
Historical Context
The late 1980s was a period of significant growth and evolution for heavy metal. While American and British bands continued to dominate the mainstream, European bands were steadily gaining recognition, bringing their own cultural influences and musical styles to the forefront. Drifter emerged from this burgeoning scene, adding their own voice to the metal landscape.
Musical Exploration
"Reality Turns to Dust" demonstrates Drifter's musical exploration within the power/thrash metal realm. The album features a combination of fast-paced, aggressive tracks with more melodic and anthemic moments. This balance showcases the band's versatility and ability to seamlessly blend different elements within their chosen genre.
Music Genre
Drifter's music can be categorized as a fusion of power metal and thrash metal. The album features the driving rhythms, fast tempos, and aggressive riffs characteristic of thrash, while also incorporating the soaring vocals, melodic guitar lines, and uplifting themes commonly associated with power metal.
Controversies
"Reality Turns to Dust" did not generate any significant controversies. However, the album's lyrical themes, which explored social and political issues, may have resonated with listeners who were drawn to the genre's rebellious spirit and penchant for social commentary.
Production Team and Recording Studio
The album was produced by Kalle Trapp, a German musician, sound engineer, and producer known for his work with other metal bands. Trapp's expertise is evident in the album's polished sound and professional production values. While the specific recording studio is not explicitly mentioned in available resources, it likely played a crucial role in shaping the album's sonic landscape.
Released in 1988, Drifter's Reality Turns to Dust hit the scene at a time when heavy metal was branching into new territories and pushing boundaries. This 12" vinyl LP, adorned with a cover that seizes attention—a golden hourglass in cosmic decay—captures the raw energy and vision behind the Swiss band's sound. Blending elements of power and thrash, Drifter carved out a space in the burgeoning European metal landscape, delivering a sound that was both intense and technically driven. With this release, they added their voice to the swelling chorus of late-'80s metal, capturing the grit and ambition of the era.
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Music Genre: Swiss Thrash Metal Music |
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Description / Collector's info: DMM Direct Metal Mastering audiophile pressing |
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Album Production information: Produced by Kalle Trapp Kalle Trapp, a legendary German producer and musician, revolutionized heavy metal production with his iconic Karo Studio. Renowned for shaping the sound of Blind Guardian, Destruction, Iron Angel, and many more, his innovative engineering techniques defined the power and aggression of 80s & 90s European metal.
Discover more about his groundbreaking work at Kalle Trapp’s Biography.
Edda & Uwe Karczewski - Album artworkUwe Karczewski a German graphics artist known for the 1980's album covers for Heavy Metal bands like: Helloween , Iron Angel . |
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Record Label & Catalognr: Frontrow 6.26763 / DRIFT 5003 |
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Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record |
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Year & Country: 1988 Made in Germany |
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Collector notes ( information on the persons working to produce this album) |
Band Members and Musicians on: Drifter Reality Turns to Dust |
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Complete Track Listing of: Drifter Reality Turns to Dust |
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The album cover for Drifter's Reality Turns to Dust is an intricate and visually striking piece, centered around a golden hourglass floating in space. The hourglass features the Earth partially disintegrating into sand, symbolizing the passage of time and the inevitable decay of reality, a theme resonant with the album's title. The sand flows from the upper chamber, where a crumbling globe signifies the transient nature of existence, into the lower chamber, accumulating as dust and debris.
Around the hourglass, planets and cosmic bodies float against a deep blue, star-speckled background, enhancing the surreal, sci-fi atmosphere of the artwork. The title "Reality Turns to Dust" is boldly placed above the hourglass, with the band’s name Drifter displayed in a metallic, stylized font, adding a futuristic touch to the cover. This illustration, by Uwe Karczewski, encapsulates themes of time, existentialism, and cosmic scale, setting the stage for the album’s heavy, thought-provoking musical content.
Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"Reality Turns to Dust" Record Label Details: White Colour Label FRONTROW 6.26763, DRIFT 5003 , DMM Direct Metal Mastering , LC 7734 © Copyright ℗ Sound Copyright
