Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 05/02/2006
Some
black metal and
death metal bands fly so far under the radar (at least outside of
black metal/
death metal circles) that they can reach their tenth or 12th anniversary and still hear the question, "Is this a new band?" When
Candlelight distributed
Armada in the United States in 2006, some American headbangers asked that question in relation to
Keep of Kalessin. But no,
Kalessin is not a new band; they have been around since 1994, and this 49-minute CD demonstrates that the Norwegian
black metal outfit is worth getting to know. Although not groundbreaking or terribly original,
Kalessin provides noteworthy
black metal with a strong
thrash influence. Clearly,
Armada is mindful of
black metal's
punk,
thrash, and
hardcore heritage, and this album favors a rawness and a toughness that acknowledges
black metal's humble beginnings. But
Armada is not a carbon copy of early
black metal;
Kalessin is more polished, although not polished to the point of being
symphonic black metal.
Armada achieves a balance;
Kalessin's performances are punkier and more "street" than those of a
symphonic black metal band, but this album is chops-minded (there is no doubt that these guys can play their instruments well) and relatively melodic. Although not as elaborate as
symphonic black metal recordings,
Armada is far from an exercise in bombast for the sake of bombast.
Kalessin, like so many extreme
metal bands, has had their share of personnel changes along the way; here the lineup includes founder/guitarist
Obsidian Claw (of
Satyricon fame), lead singer
Thebon, bassist
Wizziac, and drummer
Vyl, and this lineup has delivered an album that, although not quite a five-star masterpiece, is still a decent and well-executed footnote in the Nordic
black metal scene.
~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
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