Reptilian

Reptilian represents the commercial and creative zenith of Keep of Kalessin's 'epic extreme metal' era. Released in 2010, the album famously followed the band's surprising participation in the Melodi Grand Prix, the Norwegian selection for Eurovision, with the track 'The Dragontower.' This context deeply informs the album's sound: it is unapologetically big, clean, and melodic while maintaining the 250+ BPM speeds that defined their earlier work. The album reached number two on the Norwegian charts, a rare feat for a band with such aggressive roots. It serves as the final statement with vocalist Thebon, whose versatile range from blackened rasps to clean harmonies defined this period. Sonically, the record is characterized by Obsidian C.'s signature 'fast-as-light' guitar work and Vyl's inhumanly precise drumming. It is a landmark release that bridged the gap between the black metal underground and the broader world of technical melodic metal.