Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Keep of Kalessin
Title
Armada
Type
LP/EP
Company
Candlelight
YOR
2006
Style
Black
7/3/2008 - Review by: David Loveless

Keep of Kalessin
Armada

Company: Candlelight USA
Release: 2006
Reviewer: Grim Gaijin
Genre: Black
Rating
4.5



  • We are all battle-bound from start to finish on this metal masterpiece



  • Thank the Metal Gods for unleashing Keep of Kalessin upon this Earth! This relentless Black Metal quartet from Trondheim, Norway continues to attack the metal masses with their 2006 release Armada. Rightfully titled, it seems as if we are all battle-bound from start to finish on this metal masterpiece. Whether they are touring with Behemoth or Dimmu Borgir or displaying their talents at past Trondheim Jazz festivals, Keep of Kalessin's brand of sharply played, tight-knit black metal is sure to keep the heads banging (and hair rolling) for many years to come.

    The intro rolls in slowly like an Armada of soldiers waiting to attack a brigade of enemies at any given moment. The attack finally happens when Crown Of The Kings breaks through and destroys at a lightning pace with piercing riffs and dizzying blast beats. Sounding much like Anthems to the Welkins at Dusk-era Emperor, Crown Of The Kings contains some of the best melodic riffs recorded, as well as demonstrating the many vocal talents of Thebon. The next song, The Black Uncharted, continues the urgency of Armada with more inhuman riffs and blazing blast beats. Incorporating more clean vocals in the mix, the comparisons to early Emperor continue. The song takes a small break in favor of an acoustic passage that leads to a huge buildup that crushes with the final few minutes of the song. The next song, Vengeance Rising, has to be the most insane song on the album. With the guitar riffs reaching near-impossible speeds and double bass drumming that would make most drum machines smoke, Vengeance Rising is a true test of skill and talent that many great bands would have a hard time duplicating. Many Are We starts with a melodic (but fast) riff that has more of a choppy feel vice having just the speed riffs only. The next song, Winged Watcher is a slower number but equally as crushing as the rest of the album. With several acoustic parts, Keep Of Kalessin show another side of their Black Metal wizardry. The next song, Into The Fire, is interesting because the beginning riff is very similar to the riff in Many Are We. Although the majority of the song is completely different, they should have changed the beginning riff up a bit. Next comes Deluge, a short guitar instrumental that builds up as sort of an intro to The Wealth Of Darkness. Wealth is another blindingly speedy song that has the power to become a black metal anthem. The final song, Armada, is an epic masterpiece that showcases the many talents of Keep of Kalessin. With traces of early Emperor blended with World Funeral-era Marduk, Keep of Kalessin definitely make a true statement of their loyalty and devotion to the Black Metal elite.

    For metal fans that loved Emperor during their Anthems to the Welkins at Dust and IX Equilibrium days, Keep of Kalessin is the band for you. With their 3rd full-length studio recording, Armada, setting the standard for modern black metal, Keep Of Kalessin have earned a spot amongst the black metal elite. Those of you that have already heard Armada are probably curious as to how they will top it with their next release - Kolossos, due out in June. Until then, Armada will continue to be a very satisfying release.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      4.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: KEEP OF KALESSIN
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Armada
    2006
    Candlelight
    David Loveless7/3/2008
    4.5
    Kolossus
    2008
    Nuclear Blast
    Raising Iron7/11/2008
    4

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: KEEP OF KALESSIN
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


    << back >>