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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Debut CD. , January 30, 2006
KALMAH - Swamplord
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I got a hold of Swamplord and Swampsong... I figured I start at the beginning and listen and review their Debut first.
First things first, I should point out this does not sound like a debut... Their sound is familiar enough to be comfortable, but actually quite unique in its overall delivery. From a musicianship standpoint they are also masters of their craft. The dual guitar work is fantastic, (It is because of their Guitar's sound they get the COB comparisons) the bass is rumbling, yet audible, and provides a great wall of sound for the other instruments. Drumming is more then competent, by Melo-Death standards (Which as you know is compliment) The aura creating Keyboard work is top notch in the genre, sounding less cheesy than their Finish counterparts COB and more atmospheric like newer Dark Tranquility. Vocally it is boarder line Black-Metal with touches of the traditional Gothenburg sound. (Thomas Lindberg style)
These guys may be getting the COB comparisons but truth is I like this better. They take the best elements of that band and combine it with some harder edge stuff similar to Dark Tranquility or At the Gates.
Not to mention this is the best Melodic Death Debut, I've heard since Arsis' debut. (A Celebration of Guilt.) The only real down side, as with Arsis' debut was that it was a bit tedious to listen to start to finish. However, your patience is easily rewarded by the last 3 tracks... As they close their album with a bigger bang than it opened.
Favorite Songs: Evil in You, Hades, and Using the Word.
-4 Stars.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album! Great debut, and they got even better later!, August 4, 2004
Debut album by Finnish metal band Kalmah.
This is a GREAT heavy metal album for fans of Children of Bodom, Norther, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, and even pure power metal or any other metal for that matter. This band at this time included Altti Vetelainen on bass (Vocalist/bassist of Eternal Tears of Sorrow) Petri Sankala on drums (did drums for ETOS), Pasi Hiltula on keyboard (which he also did in ETOS), and Pekka and Antii Kokko on rhythm guitar/vocals, and lead guitar respectively. This album's style is similar to that of Eternal Tears of Sorrow, and I am a big fan of both. However, with their next album called They Will Return, Kalmah would lose Vetelainen and Sankala, who would be replaced by Timo Lehtinen and Janne Kusmin, both equal in skill to their predecessors. After the third one, Swamplord, Pasi Hiltula recently left, who was replaced by Marco Sneck who will be featured on their new one from 2004.
Here is a song by song review-
1)Evil in You- 10/10. A great drum part at the beginning, moving into a great song with complex cooperation between the guitars and keyboard, making for a great sound. The solo could be a little more audible however.
2)Withering Away- 10/10. Great lead guitar riff, with excellent playing all the way through. Good solo.
3)Heritance of Berija- 10/10. A slightly more peaceful sound, but with brutal drumming and great lead guitar. The lyrics are very interesting, as well is political (unusual for metal), and especially interesting from a country bordering the former Soviet Union.
4)Black Roija- 9/10. Very good song, a tad bit generic but still great.
5)Dance of the Water- 8/10. Good song, not particularly remarkable.
6)Hades- 10/10. GREAT SONG! Unbeatable riff with a great solo, and I love that Children of Bodom-style keyboard BANG! Great lead guitar and lead keyboard work. Moves from catchy to brutal. Unbeatable song.
7)Alteration- 10/10. Excellent song. Enya-style keyboards moving into great leads. Works well with Sankala's drumming style.
8)Using the Word- 10/10. What can I say, a great finale. Moving keyboard solo, meaningful lyrics, and a moving riff. Beautiful song. Closes the album perfectly. I love the spit Pekka lets out to end the song.
But don't take my word for it, get this album now! Then get the EVEN BETTER They Will Return and Swampsong. What can I say, this is a consistently great album. Get the three of them in whatever order you like, because they are all so good and you're missing out unless you get all three! And don't forget to buy their album coming out this year (I think).
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kalmah, October 9, 2001
OK the first thing that I have to say is the other guy Reid from Scotland who wrote the review saying that Kalmah sounds like C.O.F. is 100% out of his freakin MIND!! If In Flames and Children of Bodom were to sire an offspring together the Hellspawn that would come forth would be named KALMAH!! These guys have fantastic melodic guitar work as well as any from The Amott brothers and yes Dan Swano!. If you like swedish gothburg type metal (without the male clear buttrock vocals!) then chekck these guys out. A+ material all the way. Thanks & evil salutations
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