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Rating: We already played this little game with Dark Tranquillity, and since some people liked it, I'm bringing it back.
Let's take Children Of Bodom and these Kalmah (what a horrible name). Both Finnish, both have five members, and both have the same lineup. Additionally, both are equipped with the usual egocentric (which probably doesn't even exist) show-off guitarist.
Moreover, both bands use Jackson guitars, and even though you might not care at all, I find this very interesting.
Given these premises, we should find ourselves facing two mirror-image bands.
That's not the case... and for a purely technical reason. In Kalmah, the solo riffs are an integral part of the songs and, most importantly, they are always present. Really, always! It seems that Kalmah wrote their pieces and arranged little solos over each (EVERY) riff: which leads to a typically ultra-technical and self-indulgent way of composing and playing.
And it's not a bad thing because here the base for the more black metal outbursts and the calmer, more reflective moments with typical classical influences is pure thrash metal, as opposed to the power found in COB.
All this makes this CD resemble a nice kick in the balls, also thanks to a really great production, not too raw but not too soft either. Additionally, if Alexi Lahio (leader of COB) offers solos with a decidedly neoclassical flair, here things are much faster and aggressive, skipping unnecessary frills and more akin to thrash.
The melodies devised by these five Finns, already from this promising debut album (two more will follow), have the characteristic of entering your head with Kalmah (ahem) and leaving you really satisfied with your purchase (for the record, I didn't buy it).
Do you like COB? No? Then why are you reading?
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Evil in You (05:09)
The time is right you and I
We will fight the final battle
Gone away the bond of passion
Death of faith, left aggression
We sworn the oath, now it is broken
Gone away with deception
I'll root out the nest of rebellion
Wage of sin, total subjection
The ancient law from the old union - obedience !
In the face of judge you regret
Sue for mercy before the creating
Remove the one for me to end
Only way to endless purity
Now you find the path of rightness
Opens the gate to deepest openness
True peace in the place of paradise
Will decay
Whiplash, flowing tears
Resumed respect
Supreme power
Beats the evil out of you
02 Withering Away (03:34)
Life - testament of fathers
Forces to fight against the dark side
Mystery - still unsolved
Controller of the panel inner body
Hear the voices from the side of unknown
Leading body into temptation
False prophets message behind the mask
Breaking through the will, darker one to rule
Withering away
Only way to be awake
Dispensation into the light
Against the law, internal fight
Two minds destroying their cradle
Suicidal action towards the end
Believer - the feeble natured
Completely influenced by abuser
Awareness - disturbed
A matter of social needs
Suppression way to inner revolution
Denial is the force
Opens the lock of inner control
The enemy will lose
05 Dance of the Water (04:32)
Water in eternal movement
Circling day after day
Above the surface in wind's face
Is the end cruelly grimaced
On the water, water lily's leaf
Is rolling on the stream
Beside the bluff there she dances
Water flea in her wedding
Master wind blows waves begin to rise
Her fiance tomorrow child
Just taken his first breath
Take his step and with his bride
They fall into ecstasy
Wind blows hard they do not see
Water lily's leaf is turning
With this move it falls down
Those lovers almost together
Lose their lifes for the others to live
Today it is calm
Tomorrow it storms
But still water
For ever flows
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