Holy shit, that artwork and band photo are something else. Usually when you put out a black metal album, you want something to look grim and necro, with a bunch of consonants in your names and referring to Christ-raping or something or another. What does Keep of Kalessin go for? Apparently they go for band photos that resemble Michael Bay movie posters (minus the explosions) and album art that looks like it’s from the movie Alexander or more recently 300. Seriously, go bring up the band on Metal Archives and tell me they don’t look like they’re straight out of a stylized Michael Bay film. That’s some serious production values you got going in your album promotion.

Well, at least Keep of Kalessin isn’t I.C.E., we can be thankful for that. In fact, these guys are quite the opposite. Keep of Kalessin’s black metal on Armada straddles the line between Emperor and Dissection with elements of Enslaved’s more progressive moments and even a small scent of later-era Root every once in awhile. Armada can be formulaic at times, but the riffs have more than enough variety and style to entertain. The vocals run the range from throaty screams, bellowing clean vocals, to even a deep growl every once in awhile. And Keep of Kalessin has no fear of using acoustic instruments occasionally, without running the risk of cheese.

The record, however, is not without faults. The drumming is too heavily reliant on typical blackened blast beats and the songs tend to occasionally run on longer than they should. However, these are minor concerns as the songs are generally enjoyable. It’s not fantastic, but Armada will easily work as a sort of "Baby’s First Black Metal Album" for people trying to initiate themselves in the genre. And the title track is a kick-ass closer.

For those hardened black metal fans, though, this won’t quench the hunger for something like Antaeus or Anaal Nathrakh, but Armada will still be enjoyable to those who don’t mind a great production with very catchy, well-written riffs. And as I said, it’s a great first time album for those getting acquainted with black metal. Now if only they could do something about that goofy Michael Bay promo art…

Written By: Necro-tron