Inpariquipê
Kaatayra
2021
Why This Album Matters
Inpariquipê, released in 2021, is a singular work from multi-instrumentalist Caio Lemos' project Kaatayra. This album stands out for its innovative fusion of atmospheric black metal with elements of traditional Brazilian music, resulting in a minimalist and acoustic sound that subverts genre expectations. The record offers an auditory experience that is both beautiful and intense, moving away from the coldness often associated with black metal to create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome. Considered by Lemos to be a possible 'swan song' for Kaatayra, Inpariquipê exudes transcendent and triumphant qualities, imbued with a sense of positivity. Its originality lies in Lemos' ability to incorporate influences from minimalist composers such as Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, and Philip Glass, combining them with psychedelic rock elements and creating a hypnotic and engaging work that resonates deeply with the listener.
Context
Kaatayra is the solo project of Brazilian musician Caio Lemos, originally conceived as a tool to aid his mental health. Prior to Inpariquipê, released in 2021, Lemos already had a prolific discography under the name Kaatayra, including albums such as Só quem viu o relâmpago à sua direita sabe and Toda história pela frente, both from 2020. In these earlier works, the blend of black metal and traditional Brazilian music was already present, with Só quem viu o relâmpago à sua direita sabe intensely exploring folk music. The name "Kaatayra" means "Son/Daughter of the Forest", which reflects Lemos' deep connection and passion for Brazilian folk music and the legends of his childhood. In addition to Kaatayra, Caio Lemos is known for his versatility and for participating in other musical projects, such as Bríi, Bakt, Extinction Remains, Rasha, and Vauruvã, demonstrating a constant exploration of different sounds and styles.
Recording
The album Inpariquipê was a predominantly solo project by Caio Lemos, who took responsibility for all instruments. The recording process was notably more structured and less improvisational than on previous works, partly due to the expansion of instrumentation. Lemos used a home studio setup, comprising monitors, an audio interface, a MIDI controller, and microphones for the album's production. The production aimed for a clear mix and mastering, ensuring that no element sounded muffled, allowing unusual instruments to integrate harmoniously with more conventional ones. Percussion, which includes instruments typical of Brazilian music, plays a fundamental role in creating dynamics and strength, with even the *blast beats* evoking traditional rhythms performed at high speed. The xylophone, in turn, was chosen for its fast attack and its ability to build rhythm, harmony, and melody. The album also incorporates ambient passages and what are presumed to be field recordings. A notable opening occurs with a sample of Jorge Ben Jor's voice, from the album Tábua de Esmeralda, uttering the word "Salve", and the title track includes live bird song recordings.
Songs
The five tracks that comprise Inpariquipê are "Tiquindê", the title track "Inpariquipê", "Ãráiãsaiê", "Dundararaiê", and "Iasá". "Tiquindê" serves as an extensive introduction to the album, encapsulating the project's initial ideas and feelings, with a focus on rhythm and repetition that induce a trance-like state. The title track "Inpariquipê" exemplifies the album's fluidity, effortlessly transitioning between prog-folk with Celtic connotations, minimalist repetitions driven by keyboards, frenetic percussion, and cinematic flute-led soundscapes. "Dundararaiê" stands out for its incorporation of metallic vocals with a tribal treatment, which intensifies its hypnotic qualities, and for its smooth transitions between minimalist meanderings and bombastic vocal sections. Meanwhile, "Iasá" is a rhythmic experiment, with constant changes in tempo and main instruments, yet maintaining a structure of incessant pulsation. The song titles were created by Caio Lemos based on their phonetic sound, without the intention of having a specific linguistic meaning, as a way to overcome his own obsession with linguistics. Lemos considers that, in a way, the album is instrumental, where the existence of words through their sound is the essence. The guttural vocals are sparse and discreet, sounding like shouts in the vastness of nature.
Legacy
Inpariquipê was released on 1st January 2021 by Pest Productions on CD and independently as a digital release, with vinyl and cassette editions made available in 2022. The album quickly established itself as one of Kaatayra's most highly rated works and was widely acclaimed by critics. It was described as "incredible" and "one of the most impressive works of 2021", even being considered a "masterpiece". Critics praised the album's unique fusion of atmospheric black metal, traditional Brazilian music, and minimalist elements, highlighting its warm and inviting atmosphere. On BestEverAlbums.com, Inpariquipê holds the 11,510th position in the overall ranking of best albums, with a score of 103, and appears in 23 charts. On Discogs, the album boasts an average of 4.67 out of 5 stars across 33 reviews. Its innovative and transgressive nature was consistently highlighted, being recognised as a significant musical statement both within and outside the metal genre. The album's impact was such that it generated a long wait for a successor, with the album Caminhos de Água only being released in 2026, demonstrating Inpariquipê's lasting influence.
Rankings
Tracks
Videos
RTReviews #63: Kaatayra - Inpariquipê
Round Table Forever
Analyses
Crítica | Kaatayra: "Inpariquipê" - Música Instantânea
musicainstantanea.com.br
Inaugurada pela constrastaste sobreposição entre a base de sintetizadores e a bateria furiosa do instrumentista, a canção rapidamente se espalha em um labirinto de formas pouco usuais e entalhes percussivos que manipulam a interpretação do ouvinte.
Kaatayra - Inpariquipê - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal ...
metal-archives.com
Kaatayra are far from a typical black metal project, and on Inpariquipê calling it metal at all seems like a bit of a stretch. I've always thought black metal taking on the vibe of their surrounding landscapes was a good idea, but Kaatayra take it to the next level.
Reviews list for Kaatayra - Inpariquipê (2021) | Metal Academy
metal.academy
It's a massive conglomerate of traditional Brazilian folk music mixed with trance-like electronics and blast beats tossed in the background, and somehow it forms into an experience that feels more complete than Kaatayra's previous albums.
Kaatayra - Inpariquipê - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives
metal-archives.com
Inpariquipê Kaatayra Type: Full-length Release date: November 26th, 2021 Catalog ID: N/A Label: Independent Format: Digital Reviews: 2 reviews (avg. 82%) Songs Lineup Other versions Reviews Additional notes
Inpariquipê - Kaatayra
kaatayra.bandcamp.com
Urso X Following the *brilliant* História, Inpariquipê feels a bit like the lost middle child in Kaatayra's stellar discography.