German Psychedelic Blackened Doom band KALMEN bring their first full length entitled "Course Hex". I don't know much of the band but I can say that they have been a band since 2009, and just now putting out their first record.

The opening track is "Sol Devina". As we enter the tracks opening notes we find ourselves entering a world or calm yet very disturbing tones which build the tracks sound and brings us into this very powerful emotion which we get from listening on, in a sense we see that the band have mixed together ideas that effect the very mental core of the listener bringing them closer to the edge which really must be given praise as it shows just what we can expect from the record in general and what ideas this band have conjured to bring out this massive tone of suspense and terror. One thing that can be said about this track is that it fills the void of the mind and creates an illusion of psychotic emotions which lead the listener closer and closer to the edge.

The second track is titled "Gizeh", and this track starts with a mellow tone and very vibrant tones. "Gizeh" shows us that the band have a different array of song ideas which for a first time listener gives a very open view to the bands structure, unlike most bands though we see that KALMEN show more of an instrumental vibe then leading with a vocalist which really suits the band in terms of building up to something much more then we previously expected. When we see vocalist Thomas come in we are greeted with a powerful and very interesting voice which honestly makes the song shout out with more aggression and more power which makes this song more of an experience then anything else which really works for what the band are portraying.

The third track is titled "My Soul Is Black" starts off heavier then the previous songs we see the band bring in a louder more distorted tone then we have seen on this record, though as previously stated we can expect a few things from this record in terms of the attitude that this song in general shows us in particular. From hearing the  vocals you can hear this very clear Tom Gabriel Warrior vocal type being formed though the track which really is fascinating as it shows that the band are expressing these influences very clearly and in a very strong way as if paying homage to these great musicians and artists, but really this heavy yet very disturbing tone really does work for the band and in every way gives them this sense of anger that mixes well with the bass and drums as it gives them a more suitable power to what they are doing.

The fourth track on the album is titled "Katharseas" it is clear to see that this band have a very unique idea working for them in terms of their playing style and attitude to which creates a form of music that is both chaotic and yet at the same time holds strong with something that drags your curiosity and fascination to a level where your mentally pulled in by what is being played and how it is feeding your first for something different while at the same time being able to continue to feed your mind. KALMEN is a band that presents some very unusual music while mixing in something familiar and incredible, it really is a rare thing to see a band like this doing what they are doing as it is something that creates a new more bright canvas of ideas to come. "Katharseas" brings together the best of what we have seen the band present so far with this record while adding new forms of sound and emotions together.

The fifth and final track is titled "Naitrider" and goes farther in showcasing more of KALMEN's Black metal side the band bring out an incredible array of tones which really work well together even though they are very different they match together perfectly, mixing together a doom style riff with Black metal vocals over topping it we see the band show what makes them a Psychedelic Blackened Doom band by bringing something weird and wonderful out which is just incredible, imagine if you will HAWKWIND mixed with REVEREND BIZARRE and then add a dash of GORGROTH, that folks are the results of what we have here, an interesting mixture really but at the same time it does tend to drive one mad and some how very spaced out but I guessthat is really the nature of what the song can do, seriously though if anything this is an acid fans  best friend while at the same time keeping to a very well balanced standard of great ideas and music types coming together.

Through what we have seen in total KALMEN have brought different elements to the field which portray what we can expect from this band in the future but at the same time we see the bands curiosity brought forth and given light to the listener, that said we can see that there is so much more to see when listening to this record as we have an example on this track entitled - which really is quite different for a band to do, to be honest the idea of this track is haunting and does in fact give a shiver down your spine type vibe which really goes beyond what anyone could expect when listening to this sort of disturbing atmosphere, the feeling anyone would get from this is a nightmare waiting to take it's next mind, a chilling sense of looming danger and intense paranoia.

The record itself has left me very curious in many respects as it has something that I really don't know how to put, it takes so many things from so many areas while at the same time bringing a form of terror and pain to the mix, this in fact draws the listener in giving them a sense of facing an unknown fear and to which brings them back for more in the process.<