Metal Samsara: CD Review: Keep of Kalessin

20 de mai. de 2014

CD Review: Keep of Kalessin - Reptilian

Indie Recordings (Overseas)
/ Somber Music (Brazil)

10,0/10,0

By Marcos "Big Daddy" Garcia

And so we get back to the past, to speak about one os the great Metal classics of the last 20 years.

Personally, Old Big Daddy here always asks himself "why in the blazes KEEP OF KALESSIN never gets the respect the band really deserves?"

This main question is due the reviews I always see, and I really can't remind of a 10/10 they got. And it's a pity that the greatest part of Metal fans does not know their work, or prefer to see the band aside, like they're nothing special. And let me say one thing: this quartet is one of the most creative and inspiring bands from the last years, releasing great albums, making perfect and energetic shows (I had the opportunity to see them on São Paulo on 2012. The best band of the festival, and I’m not kidding). And 2010’s “Reptilian” is the proof of a very dynamic band and excellent band. A true masterpiece in so arid times…

First of all, “Reptilian” is the band in its higher peak of creative power 'til the time of its release. Thebon’s vocals are creative and fine, and even singing in a style near Attila Csihar, he uses his voice in great and fine, going from some more harsh voices to darkened and evil ones, from some clean passages, and always in excellent and different form from the patterns used nowadays. Wizziac is extremely technical and fast on his bass playing, knowing always when be as fast as lightning or slower and heavy. Vyl is one of the best extreme Metal drummers, owning a very particular technique on his drums kit. And I, purposely, left Obsidian C. for the last to speak about. And by the Metal Gods, he is the Real Thing in terms of 6-strings attack, being melodic, aggressive, and abrasive. We can for sure say that he is the extreme Metal version for Randy Rhoads, a guitarist not only virtuous, but the one who put the right note or accords where they must be, and is an inspired keyboardist. And with a team like that, we have an inspiring and unique music, totally apart from other extreme Metal bands. To be honest: KEEP OF KALLESIN is different from any Metal band, creating what we could name as NWOHM (New Wave Of Heavy Metal). Yes, they’re opening a new door for the future!

Having a team of Obsidian Claw on production and engineering the sound, more Rune Stavnesli (engineering), Daniel Bergstrand (drums recording and mixing), of course all in “Reptilian” is perfect. Every little detail is accessible to our ears, every accord is clear; no musical instrument has some preference. And the sound is clear and heavy (as it must be). The artwork, done by the Brazilian designer Marcelo Vasco is a fine and excellent piece of art, translating their lyrical content to visual art.

Keep of Kalessin 2010's line-up

In terms of compositions, “Reptilian” is a step ahead from “Armada” and “Kolossus”, daring to break boundaries and musical paradigms with no delicacy at all, being heavy, aggressive and even more grandiose and technical than before, using even great choirs on “The Awakening”, “Dark as Moonless Night” and “Reptilian Majesty”, as the keyboards are appearing more, and all this elements give an epic taste to their music.

Of course you’ll got hypnotized hearing the incredible “Dragon Iconography” (by the Metal Gods, these vocals and guitar riffs and solos are the perfection made music, and the song is filled with a great dynamic), the tasteful and epic “The Awakeing” (these choirs are perfect, and do not break the brutality apart), the extreme and harsh “Judgment” (besides there are nice tempo changes throughout the whole song, showing a non conventional drums technique), the epic “The Dragontower” (again the vocals shows great diversity in tunes, as well great backing vocals), the thunderous “Leaving the Mortal Flesh” (great keyboards and bass playing!), the slower and heavy “Dark as Moonless Night” (the vocals shows very different techniques here, along with excellent chorus, keyboards and clean guitars, giving an introspective feeling on solo), the excellent “The Divine Land” (a perfect marriage between aggressive and harsh moments with epic and melodic ones, guided by the guitars and bass), and the great (it lasts more than 14 minutes!) and perfect “Reptilian Majesty”, where the band as a whole do a wonderful work, full of variations and excellent moments.

This album is indicated to all those with open mind and good taste, and to be honest: if all cared about the album when it was released back in 2010, maybe we could have another classic on Metal earlier than some can presume.

So, we the new album is near of its release, so until it, let's hear the EP "Instrospective" along with "Reptilian", and have a great time until the Dragon rises again!