If you're a fan of the German Technical Death/Progressive Metal band OBSCURA, then you've probably heard of their former bassist Linus Klausenitzer. After a 9-year tenure with the band, Klausenitzer – along with two other members – departed from OBSCURA due to musical differences and founded another band named OBSIDIOUS. However, he has recently announced his first-ever solo album "Tulpa" scheduled for release on October 6th. With an amazing lineup of musicians from other bands to back him up, Linus Klausenitzer proves that you don't need a band to form your own musical identity. Don't believe me? Let me explain to you why.

"King of Hearts," the opening track, starts off with an acoustic guitar. However, the heavy music that plays afterwards showcases what this solo album from Klausenitzer is made of. Overall, the guitar riffs from Ian Waye–guitarist of the Swedish Technical Death Metal SOREPTION–create a Melodic Death sound with a technical undertone. To complement the guitar work, we have Hannes Grossmann as the drummer. As a former member of OBSCURA just like Linus Klausenitzer, Grossmann delivers a Technical Death Metal style in his drumming too, mainly through fast blast beats, Thrash Metal skank beats, and rhythmic double bass patterns. In general, it's no surprise that two former members of the same trailblazing German Tech Death/Progressive Metal band would bring what they've done with their old bandmates to the making of "Tulpa."

I also enjoyed a few elements of the album that were nice, unexpected touches to the music. One, for example, is the use of piano keys by Vanesa Jalife. For the most part, you can only hear it in the background, but it's heard more audibly in the opening and closing parts of "Lunar Assailant." Another rare element is the use of clean vocals by Javi Perera (the vocalist of OBSIDIOUS) on the third track "Our Soul Sets Sail," in addition to his prevalent death growls. Neither the piano nor the clean vocals are often heard in Death Metal, but in this case, they help prevent Klausenitzer's solo album from sounding cliché. My favorite part of this album, however, was the slew of guitar solos. Every single track had one, even the instrumental sixth track "Sister in Black," and they were all divinely executed. With a mixture of complexity and melody behind them, there is no way you won't be able to enjoy the guitar solos.

Linus Klausenitzer has created a strong start for himself as a solo artist with "Tulpa." It's got a bit of everything in it: Technical Death, Melodic Death, Progressive Metal, and Thrash Metal all in one. If you also like rarities in your Death Metal, then you'll also appreciate some piano playing and a dash of clean vocals. I'm excited to see Klausenitzer's future endeavors as a solo artist, and if you listen to this album once it's released on October 6th, you will too.