Just like they used us after the restart of the band, KEEP OF KALESSIN are back with their new album. After making an appearance to the finals of the selection for song that would represent Norway to the Eurovision contest, they are ready to release their new album in a few days from now. Their story is more or less known to their fans and those that like this Black/Death Metal mixture.

"Reptilian" is their fifth CD during those 16 years of existence for KEEP OF KALESSIN, with a break between 2000-2003. Having heard (and liked) their previous album, "Kolossus", I had great expectations from this one. And the first song, even though it starts with a very good riff, at the end left me with second thoughts if this is a good release or not, mostly because of the last minutes of the song. But as soon as I listened to the second one, "The Awakening", I was sure that this album won't be a disappointment. The heavy riffs are here, alongside nice melodies and blastbeaats that are not annoying at any time (unless you give your full attention). And to argue for this: If you just listen to it, while writing the review, or with your friends, or in the car, it's OK. But if you give 100% to the album, maybe the hyper speed drumming at some moments will become irritating. The thing is that there are, in my opinion, some of the best KEEP OF KALESSIN songs here, like "The Awakening" and the opus "Reptilian Majesty ", but there are also songs like "Dark As Moonless Night" which is a (shall we say) MANOWAR-like song, but in a bad way, and "The Dragontower". Yes, I know that this is the first single of the album and the song gone to the Eurovision contest, but even though it has a 'light' (to say it polite) and easy to remember chorus, the song lacks inspiration and heaviness.

Well, "Reptilian" is not one of the best albums I've heard this year. It has two or three compositions and one or two good moments that made me put this rate. But I think that if KEEP OF KALESSIN had more songs like "Reptilian Majesty" and "The Awakening" the CD would have been great.