One of the things that I love about music is just how many varied forms inspiration may take. This week we are happy to welcome one of the most unique acts in all of metal as our Weekly Featured Artist, Oxygen Destroyer. If you’re a fan of monster movies from Japan, you may recognize that name as a device which was used to subdue everyone’s favorite nuclear powered, bipedal, city-leveling monster, Godzilla. See what I mean about inspiration? This Seattle-based band has been releasing music inspired by kaiju films and lore for a while now and I thought it was high time that I paid them a virtual visit to talk about this unique angle, their upcoming album, and how these monsters can be used to tell incredible stories and inspire some great music in the minds and hands that adore them.
One of the things that I love about the world of metal music is just how open we as enjoyers of this music are to out-of-the-box topics for the music. Maybe it’s because we care more about the riffs and rhythms than we do the lyrics, or maybe because we’re usually a pretty nerdy lot but we’ll listen to metal about anything from serial killers, RPGs, video games, war, nature, and whatever else. Even knowing all of that, creating an entity that is inspired by monster movies is a kind of risky move. It could either be a great ‘flash in the pan’ moment or it could lead to something far more substantial and sadly there’s no precedent or market research that will give you the insight needed to pull the trigger on this idea with confidence, they simply had to do it well from the jump. When speaking with Lord Kaiju – founder, vocalist, and principal songwriter of Oxygen Destroyer – I wondered if he had the same thoughts about creating this kind of band where the music is centered around kaiju conflicts.
‘I wasn’t sure if it would catch on or not, but I didn’t care. Metal and giant monster movies are my two favorite things ever. I just wanted to combine and celebrate my love for both and figured I’d see where it goes. I was also very surprised I couldn’t find any metal bands themed exclusively around giant monster movies at that time. It seemed like something that SHOULD exist. ( laughs) After all, we already have plenty of bands that base all their songs on horror movies, H.P. Lovecraft, Lord of the Rings, etc.‘
That’s a fair point, isn’t it? Some of these works of fiction are genuine staples in the world of extreme metal and the absence of monster movies certainly seems like an oversight in retrospect. Gargantuan creatures emerging from the sea and laying to waste Earth’s civilizations really feels like the sort of apocalyptic themes that most metal acts would embrace, but Lord Kaiju found an unoccupied niche and capitalized on it. This is where getting it right matters the most as this type of venture could end up coming off as corny and laughable if the riffs and songs can’t back up the atmosphere that these creatures evoke. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Oxygen Destroyer to find their mark and since then have been releasing some of the best blackened, thrashy, death metal that you’ll hear.
This is where I think I’ll get a little deeper into this whole kaiju thing a little bit more. One of the most important things to remember about these early monster films is that they were a reflection of the fears of the culture that produced them, and while on the surface it seems that these stories are just about perseverance, it’s a bit more specific than that. These creatures are inescapably large, damn near invincible, and above all, terrifying. It’s these ideas and the emotional response to them that give these creatures, stories, and in the end Oxygen Destroyer’s music a little more substance to work with.
‘When writing the lyrics, I do my best to stay true to the films that inspire them and their themes. Most giant monster movies represent the horrors of nuclear weapons, pollution, and human ignorance. Many of our songs highlight these subjects as well and always make it clear that most of these creatures exist due to the hubris of mankind and I believe most of these movies are smarter than they’re given credit for and I try to get that point across with our music.‘
That is the benefit of tackling this kind of topic where the layers give you plenty to play with as a songwriter and musician. Monster movies are great because who doesn’t get some sort of childlike glee from seeing two monsters the size of cities duke it out with the fate of the world in the balance? Recently we’re seeing that Godzilla films and even the character himself can be used within a variety of contexts and still be effective. Such is the case with the recent Godzilla Minus One (I left the theater in tears personally) and then the Monsterverse films which take more an action figure approach to the world of Godzilla. This flexibility has certainly impacted how kaiju can be utilized within a film and by extension how a band like Oxygen Destroyer can take these monsters and place them into different contexts along the way, right?
‘I would say yes. For example, the song “ Cleansing the Earth of Humanity’s Existence” is a tribute to the original 1954 Godzilla film. The song depicts a monster created by the atom bomb, unleashing its wrath upon the human race, an act of revenge for turning him into an aberration of death. The monster is used as a metaphor for the horrors of nuclear warfare, just as Godzilla was in the 1954 film. On the other hand, our song “As Big As a Battleship” is more lighthearted and straightforward. It’s a tribute to The Giant Claw, which is arguably the ultimate bad monster movie, a film so awful it’s downright incredible and very entertaining.‘
There’s also the aspects mentioned above which can make these films an allegorical cautionary tale about how our actions as a species can have catastrophic outcomes if we’re not paying enough attention. It also helps that monsters are metal as hell as well, doesn’t it?
‘Yes, the reason our music sounds the way it does is BECAUSE it’s based on giant monster movies. If we were singing about something else we would sound totally different. The reason we play so relentlessly fast most of the time is because we’re manifesting the destruction caused by these massive beasts. Every blast beast is a skyscraper being crushed into dust, and the tremolos are heat beams vaporizing everything in their path. During the few times where we start to play slowly, it’s usually meant to symbolize those moments where the monsters are slowly lumbering across the land, or taking a moment to regain their energy before they begin another assault.‘
It’s clear that Oxygen Destroyer is having a great time playing loud and fast metal about kaiju and we have fun listening to it. We get to stomp along with these creatures and shake the earth beneath our feet while banging our heads to the flat out infectious grooves and chunky riffs that they have been dealing for the better part of a decade now. But we’ve reached a new chapter with the band as we inch ever closer to their new album and the somewhat unlikely creature who metaphorically wears the hero’s cape.
Guardian of the Universe is the name of their new album and that is a direct reference to Gamera, one of the early kaiju who is a giant fire breathing turtle with a penchant for surprises and dramatic entrances and exits. While perhaps maybe not as well known to some, this figure holds a special place in the heart of the band’s founder:
‘The 90’s Gamera films are my favorite movies of all time. They have done more for me than anyone can ever know. Gamera and his human companion Asagi, both symbolize hope, courage, and perseverance. I needed those three things most when I discovered those movies. Gyaos, Legion, and Iris are some of the most evil Kaiju ever put on screen. Seeing Gamera defy the odds and prevail against them was inspiring to me, especially when he did the best he could to save people by shielding them from a blast or preventing them from being crushed. I’ve wanted to make Guardian of the Universe since I started this band 10 years ago.
It’s my ultimate thank you to those movies and the people who made them, I’m glad it’s finally happening.‘
I personally love this. I love the passion for these movies and this level of imagination where everything seems heightened and larger than life. Monsters are cool and death metal about monsters is just as cool. Now, you may be wondering if another iconic movie monster will be the subject of Oxygen Destroyer’s blast beats and riffs and well I asked for you. I asked if a classic movie monster would ever inspire Lord Kaiju to pick up a guitar and start riffing about the island of skulls and the 8th Wonder of the World. Turns out we were all right to think that he will:
‘I love King Kong very much. We’ll be paying homage to the Eighth Wonder of the World sooner than you think!‘
And if you’re wondering just how deep this kaiju well is, let’s just say its the size of these revered creatures: ‘I have dozens of ideas for future albums, I’ll be doing this until I’m 60 as far as I’m concerned.‘
Oxygen Destroyer is:
Lord Kaiju – Guitars, Vocals
Joey Walker – Guitars
Chris Craven – Drums
Paul Wright – Bass
Oxygen Destroyer will be touring the US this coming August in support of Guardian of the Universe, so be sure to catch them if they are anywhere nearby! You can keep up with their goings on, news, new songs, and more on Facebook and Instagram and you can pick up all of their music over on Bandcamp as well!
Hail the Kaiju!
