Review KHEMMIS “Khemmis”

Khemmis is one of those bands that consistently delivers great albums, starting with their debut, “Absolution”. They have a very loyal fanbase and are 100% authentic. At the same time, Khemmis has always been a band leading the underground scene without achieving mainstream success. This may even work in the band’s favour, as the four-piece can follow their heavy metal musical vision.

Except for bassist David Small, Khemmis’ line-up has remained stable, which has contributed to their music. Consistency in the line-up enables the development of their music and trademark sound, which is also evident in their latest album.

Simply titled “Khemmis”, their latest studio album contains eight new songs. Each one is a treat for the ears, starting with “Invocation of the Dreamer”. This strongly pounding opener showcases a band navigating the realms of doom and epic metal. “Invocation of the Dreamer” features carefully crafted vocal melodies, a pulsating rhythm section, and blistering guitars. The song is the perfect scene-setter for an album that showcases the band’s musical expertise from start to finish.

“Corpsebloom Garden” is the next track and picks up where the opener left off. Building on the same musical principles, the song features nicely integrated twists and layers. The melody enables fans to connect with the song immediately, and there is enough depth to keep them engaged upon repeated listening. Khemmis adds an extra edge to this tune with the growls, bringing you to “Grief’s Reverie”.

“Khemmis” is an album with a melancholic underlying theme that resonates subtly throughout each song. “Grief’s Reverie”, however, brings the wistfulness to the forefront. The song is slower and features calmer passages.

The album features a galloping metal anthem called “Beneath the Scythe”, followed by the thunderous riff of “Gilded Chambers”. The balance of heaviness and melody is perfect here, and this is true of the entire album.

“Tomb of Roses” begins acoustically before quickly gaining intensity. The epic metal approach shines through and demonstrates Khemmis’s musical expertise. In “Carrion King” the band unveil their doom metal roots, and the harsh vocals add a lot of heaviness to this monstrous song.

“Khemmis” is the Denver-based band’s fifth album and a milestone in their career. It is a rich, well-crafted metal album that fuses heavy metal roots with an epic edge and a modern sound. The four-piece navigates the sonic landscapes with ease, resulting in a multifaceted album that provides lasting delight.