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trax:
1. Defeat
2. Bitter Metallic Side
3. Time Takes Us All
4. To The Gallows
5. Svieri Doroga
6. The Black Waltz
7. With Terminal Intensity
8. Man Of The King
9. The Groan Of Wind
10. Mindrust
11. One From The Stands
Country: Finland
Label: Spinefarm
Vocals, guitars: Pekka Kokko [1992-]
Guitars: Antti Kokko [1997-]
Bass: Timo Lehtinen [2001-]
Drums: Janne Kusmin [2001-]
Keyboards: Marco Sneck [2004-]
Former members:
Guitars: Anssi Seppänen [1992-1993]
Bass: Altti Veteläinen [2000-2000]
Drums: Petri Sankala [1992-2000]
Keyboards: Antti-Matti Talala [1999-2000]
Keyboards: Pasi Hiltula [2000-2003]
Discography:
2000 - Swamplord
2001 - They Will Return (released at Netlab)
2003 - Swampsong (released at Netlab)
2006 - The Black Waltz
Many people know Kalmah as sounding very similar to Children of Bodom - fairly dynamic, mid-range vocals, heavy keyboards, and excellent guitar work. Personally, I am more of a fan of Kalmah - Antti Kokko's very unique, melodic lead style appeals to me more than Alexi Laiho's ripping solos.
Now, however, Kalmah seems to be ditching the CoB style of Power Metal, or at least moving in a different direction. Pekka Kokko's shyly mixed, mid-range voice has become a monstrous, deep roar mixed very prominently into the music. He has, over the course of when Swampsong was released until The Black Waltz, learned how to use his voice as an instrument, which really improves the overall sound of the music. The keyboards have also taken on a more dramatic tone, and for the most part, do not play along with Antti Kokko's soloing. They instead take on a very Dimmu Borgir-ish feel some of the time, and other times switch off soloing with the lead guitar. This, again, adds a more dynamic feel to Kalmah's music.
Another improvement is the presence of an acoustic track, Svieri Doroga (fun fact - that is the name of their first EP). I always knew Kalmah would be brilliant in an acoustic piece, and I was not let down! This is an absolutely superb song, and I love the riffing on it. It also serves as a very nice prelude to possibly the most epic-sounding track on the album - The Black Waltz, in which, again, Kalmah keyboardist Marco Sneck shows his versatility on the keys.
Another thing which really shows through on The Black Waltz, more so than their previous albums, is Kalmah's absolutely HUGE influence by old Heavy and Thrash Metal bands. There is enough Maiden and Megadeth in this album for both bands to make an album each from it. It really is that present - and Kalmah's unique keyboards and new vocal style give these sounds a new dimension that lends the overall feel of their album a unique sound. Much, much different than CoB.
I really cannot point out any weak spots on The Black Waltz - each track sounds extremely different from the last, yet they still retain a sense of uniformity. While it is by no means perfect, and perhaps could've used a little more variety in its tracks, I love the direction that Kalmah is going. They are still keeping their distinct, romantically guitared power metal riffing, pushing the vocals to be as brutal as possibly, and sending the keyboards into a dramatic, black metal tone. The shredding solos, usually seconded by keyboards on this album, are still there, and are intense as ever. This is definitely an album worth picking up, whether or not you are a big fan of Kalmah. The Black Waltz practically guarantees an explosive follow-up album by the band, and I am eager for it already!
Recommended tracks - Time Takes Us All, Bitter Metallic Side, Mindrust, Svieri Doroga. не ожидал такого!!! мастерская работа хозяев финских болот!!! очень рекомендую!!!
1. Defeat
2. Bitter Metallic Side
3. Time Takes Us All
4. To The Gallows
5. Svieri Doroga
6. The Black Waltz
7. With Terminal Intensity
8. Man Of The King
9. The Groan Of Wind
10. Mindrust
11. One From The Stands
Country: Finland
Label: Spinefarm
Vocals, guitars: Pekka Kokko [1992-]
Guitars: Antti Kokko [1997-]
Bass: Timo Lehtinen [2001-]
Drums: Janne Kusmin [2001-]
Keyboards: Marco Sneck [2004-]
Former members:
Guitars: Anssi Seppänen [1992-1993]
Bass: Altti Veteläinen [2000-2000]
Drums: Petri Sankala [1992-2000]
Keyboards: Antti-Matti Talala [1999-2000]
Keyboards: Pasi Hiltula [2000-2003]
Discography:
2000 - Swamplord
2001 - They Will Return (released at Netlab)
2003 - Swampsong (released at Netlab)
2006 - The Black Waltz
Many people know Kalmah as sounding very similar to Children of Bodom - fairly dynamic, mid-range vocals, heavy keyboards, and excellent guitar work. Personally, I am more of a fan of Kalmah - Antti Kokko's very unique, melodic lead style appeals to me more than Alexi Laiho's ripping solos.
Now, however, Kalmah seems to be ditching the CoB style of Power Metal, or at least moving in a different direction. Pekka Kokko's shyly mixed, mid-range voice has become a monstrous, deep roar mixed very prominently into the music. He has, over the course of when Swampsong was released until The Black Waltz, learned how to use his voice as an instrument, which really improves the overall sound of the music. The keyboards have also taken on a more dramatic tone, and for the most part, do not play along with Antti Kokko's soloing. They instead take on a very Dimmu Borgir-ish feel some of the time, and other times switch off soloing with the lead guitar. This, again, adds a more dynamic feel to Kalmah's music.
Another improvement is the presence of an acoustic track, Svieri Doroga (fun fact - that is the name of their first EP). I always knew Kalmah would be brilliant in an acoustic piece, and I was not let down! This is an absolutely superb song, and I love the riffing on it. It also serves as a very nice prelude to possibly the most epic-sounding track on the album - The Black Waltz, in which, again, Kalmah keyboardist Marco Sneck shows his versatility on the keys.
Another thing which really shows through on The Black Waltz, more so than their previous albums, is Kalmah's absolutely HUGE influence by old Heavy and Thrash Metal bands. There is enough Maiden and Megadeth in this album for both bands to make an album each from it. It really is that present - and Kalmah's unique keyboards and new vocal style give these sounds a new dimension that lends the overall feel of their album a unique sound. Much, much different than CoB.
I really cannot point out any weak spots on The Black Waltz - each track sounds extremely different from the last, yet they still retain a sense of uniformity. While it is by no means perfect, and perhaps could've used a little more variety in its tracks, I love the direction that Kalmah is going. They are still keeping their distinct, romantically guitared power metal riffing, pushing the vocals to be as brutal as possibly, and sending the keyboards into a dramatic, black metal tone. The shredding solos, usually seconded by keyboards on this album, are still there, and are intense as ever. This is definitely an album worth picking up, whether or not you are a big fan of Kalmah. The Black Waltz practically guarantees an explosive follow-up album by the band, and I am eager for it already!
Recommended tracks - Time Takes Us All, Bitter Metallic Side, Mindrust, Svieri Doroga. не ожидал такого!!! мастерская работа хозяев финских болот!!! очень рекомендую!!!