Band:	Kamlath
Album:	Stronger Than Frost
Style:	Gothic metal
Release date:	March 2011

01. Ishger
02. Seven Thousand Winters
03. Thy Revelation
04. Stronger Than Frost
05. One Tired Wise
06. Dawn Of Credence
07. From Siberian Deeps

Kamlath are a "Dark-Metal" (Solitude Productions tag) band that hail from Russia. Several band members have impressive CVs, including vocalist Marco Benevento from Foreshadowing, Dennis Leeflang, formerly of Within Temptation, and Mike Wead, who has done guitar work for Candlemass, Mercyful Fate, and King Diamond. So while they aren't an "All-Star" band, Kamlath still possess a line-up of respectable, established musicians.

The band delivers a professional album. Kamlath set out to capture a "dark" mood - with melodic, primarily mid-paced tunes. Wead manages to show off some chops with the occasional flashy solos.

They succeed in casting about a slightly ominous vibe, but one that is far more dusk than midnight. It is a "rub your hands together" slight chill, not enough to worry the listener about hypothermia, let alone freezing to death.

Marco's vocals are probably the single greatest contributor to the even slight chill. I found his style more reminiscent of Sisters Of Mercy or other darkwave/gothic rock stuff more than most metal? His approach was perhaps the stand out element of the album.

The biggest issue I have is that while the songs are decently crafted, the album feels a bit too slick, polished, and sterile. The chill is perhaps the combination of the vocals and rather clinical production.

So while the musicians are skilled and capable of crafting structurally sound songs, they just lack any form of edge with which to really grab my attention. Well crafted doesn't necessarily mean entertaining? and that's the biggest flaw of the album.