They Will Return
Kalmah · 2002
41 min · 9 tracks · power metal
A relentless blend of melodic death metal with symphonic elements, capturing dark themes through intricate guitar work and powerful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Swamphell — This track exemplifies the album's signature blend of aggression and melody, featuring haunting melodies interwoven with intense riffs that capture the essence of Kalmah's style.
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Kill the Idealist — With its complex arrangements and dynamic shifts, this track stands out as a showcase for the band's technical skills and lyrical themes of disillusionment.
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They Will Return — The title track encapsulates the thematic core of the album, combining poignant lyrics with anthemic instrumentation that resonates powerfully within the melodic death metal genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Kalmah's second album showcases strong musicianship with a blend of melodic death metal and symphonic elements, appealing to genre fans.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate guitar harmonies that often shift between melodic leads and aggressive riffs, creating a dynamic soundscape.
- Vocals alternate between clean singing and harsh growls, enhancing the contrast between melodic and aggressive sections throughout the tracks.
- Several tracks incorporate symphonic elements, such as orchestral keyboards, which add depth to the overall atmosphere without overwhelming the metal instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo headbanging energy
- intricate guitar work appreciation
- engaging narrative through tracks
- cathartic release in intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid complex musical structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- They Will Return is Kalmah's second album, following their 2000 debut, Swamplord. By this point, the band had solidified their sound, merging melodic death metal with Finnish folk influences, showcasing their evolving musicianship and thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Children of Bodom· Insomnium· Norther
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hollow Heart 4:44
- 2 Swamphell 4:52
- 3 Principle Hero 4:24
- 4 Human Fates 5:50
- 5 They Will Return 3:53
- 6 Kill the Idealist 5:13
- 7 The Blind Leader 4:06
- 8 My Nation 5:30
- 9 Skin o' My Teeth 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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