Biography
The story of KALMAH begun in 1991 when Pekka Kokko(v, g) and Petri Sankala founded Ancestor. After 2 demos Antti Kokko joined the band to handle the position of lead guitarist. In 1998 after all in all 5 melodic trash/speed/death metal demos and 5 different bass players it was time to clear the table. Acenstor was buried and refounded as KALMAH. The Line-up was completed by keyboard player Pasi Hiltula.
With new enthusiasm KALMAH started to write new songs for the praised promo CD. With raging melodic death/trash/speed/black metal promo 'Svieri Obraza' the band had finally done the breakthrough and reached a contract with Spikefarm Records. The band wasted no time and headed to Tico-Tico studios with line-up Pekka Kokko(v, g), Antti Kokko(g), Petri Sankala(d), Pasi Hiltula(k) and Altti Veteläinen(b). The story of Swamplord begun…
"Swamplord" was unleashed to the world in the winter of 2000. The album immediately gathered tons of raving reviews and no wonder, the power and intensity of KALMAH's metal is simply breathtaking, to say the least. The band did dozens of interviews and the praise from the scene kept flooding the Spikefarm office and the band's website. They also played a few shows in Finland before heading back to the rehearsal-swamp to write the follow-up to "Swamplord".
By November 2001, the band was back at Tico-Tico Studios recording "They Will Return". The line-up had changed a bit due to the departure of Altti and Petri. They were promptly replaced by Timo Lehtinen (from CATAMENIA) on bass and Janne Kusmin behind the drumkit. "They Will Return" is an album displaying all the aspects that make KALMAH such an incredible band: from the stunning execution and rich melodies to the huge intensity and overall finesse of KALMAH's music, there was no question that KALMAH had great things ahead of them.
In summer 2002 KALMAH played couple of gigs in Finland and gig at Wacken, which was a success. In autumn the band started to write new material for the next studio album. After heavy practising and rehearsal sessions swamplords were back at Tico-Tico again in February 2003 with 10 new killer songs. The new album was titled 'Swampsong'. Heavy guitar driven melodic swamp metal masterpiece was finalized at Finnvox studios. It was time for The third, the magical…
"Swampsong" was a great follower after the highly acclaimed "they will return"-album by fans and media. Some gigs were played, also abroad, and everything was developing in the right direction until in 2004 keymaster Pasi Hiltula decided to pull back and go on with his other duties. The band started thinking then if a new keyboarder was needed but after one rehearsals with Marco Sneck (POISONBLACK ) auditioning, it was all clear. A new quintet was born.
With new blood in veins the five Swamplords started to prepair the material for the fourth album. In november 2005 the band entered Tico-Tico studio to record a true swampmetal masterpiece, "The black waltz". All in all 11 new KALMAH songs were recorded and mixed. With the final mastering touch of Mika Jussila from Finnvox the Waltz was ready. The dance has begun.
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