CALLIDICE are a five peace Melodic Death band from Finland and so far they have two EPs under their belt. Now, four years after their founding in 2014, they are releasing their debut full-length album titled "Anthems for Resistance". I personally have a soft spot for Melodic Death, so I was really eager to check these "new kids on the block" out. I was not disappointed. CALLIDICE are not a run-of the mill AT THE GATES rip-off, they show quite a bit of sophistication and skill. Their sound is reminiscent of DARK TRANQUILLITY or their fellow countrymen MORS PRINCIPIUM EST - it is more on the serious, melancholic side -, but at the same time CALLIDICE show vitality and playfulness that reminds me of OMNIUM GATHERUM. Their songs get pretty heavy and dark due to the noticeable Industrial influences.

The opening song "More Than a Bond of Blood" can be characterized exactly the way I described their sound in general. It is a good opener that set the bar of expectations for the following songs pretty high. The next song "Colors of my Life" has an emotional INSOMNIUM-esque keyboard intro and the whispered vocals in the verse also bring to mind the trademark Finnish sad-boy sound. The melody of the monumental chorus is pretty memorable, a standout moment on the song is a sorrowful sounding synth lead almost at the end, that would nicely fit into the "Requiem for a Dream" movie.

"Refined by Fire" is a standout song, it sounds huge, epic, crushing. Right at the beginning there is tremolo picked riff that melodic black metal bands would kill for. The verse is monumental, brooding, the chorus on the other hand has an evil DISSECTION-y atmosphere with high pitched vocals. The pre-chorus is also great and works as a bridge between the two contrasting atmospheres of the verse and the chorus. There is and interesting piano part after in the first half of the song and an atmospheric bridge in the second half. After the bridge the atmosphere of the song changes significantly, with the synth playing an almost upbeat melody. There is a great buildup right before the song ends abruptly. I can't count how many times I've listened to that song...

"Scarred" starts of as a groovy blend of Death and Industrial Metal, but then a nice playful guitar melody comes out of the left field and changes the bleak atmosphere. The chorus features clean vocals that appear on other songs as well. I don't know if I like them very much, but they have character for sure. The following three songs on the album have quite a pronounced Industrial vibe to them. The verse of the song "Bones of the Elders" sounds like a mix of Black and Industrial metal, it reminds me a lot of DIMMU BORGIR. The chorus on the other hand is quite melodic and pleasing. The album closes with a slow, emotional song "Anthem for Resistance". The song is epic in scope shifting between monumental buildups and sorrowful atmospheric sections.

The album as a whole is concise, it flows well, nothing feels superfluous. The songs don't lack atmosphere and memorability, the only issue I have is the lack of stand-out guitar moments. The synths are prominent melodically speaking and although the keyboardist is outstanding, I feel like giving more space to the guitar is a direction the band might want to explore. That being said CALLIDICE put out a killer of a debut and you will really miss out if you don't check this out. The way they are able to weave together different influences and create songs that have integrity and individuality and their knack for melodic and harmonic development in their songwriting attests to their talent and potential. Keep an eye out for these guys, I feel like they might go far as a band.