review by: Roberto Martinelli

Kalmah is one of those bands that you think should rule their scene. They have killer melodies, dynamics, and fun songs. Then you remember that they basically sound like Children of Bodom.

Not that it mattered. Kalmah’s last album, They Will Return (review here) featured more than a few tunes that blew away anything Children of Bodom has done since their second, untoppable album. Better vocals, more memorably noodly, wanky keyboard and guitar solos, blast beats. But Kalmah still sounded like Children of Bodom.

On Swampsong, Kalmah has taken a big step out from under Bodom’s shadow. The melodies are far less cotton candy, but still very solidly Scandinavian melodic death. Less fun and more metal. But less fun.

And while there isn’t one song better than the great ones in They Will Return, Swampsong is a much more attractive album overall. The slower songs work better than ever, and the production is the best yet. The triggered snare still does sound a little weird now and again, like the drummer is playing too fast for the computer to keep up with its application of the full, programmed sound. But that’s cool.

So returning fans will dig Swampsong. It’s a safely progressive step for Kalmah. And yeah, it is their best album yet. Check it out. (8/10)