Khemmis Self-Titled Review
Khemmis
Self-Titled
Nuclear Blast Records
2026
Colorado’s Doom Metal stalwarts Khemmis are gearing up to release their sixth full-length album, a self-titled effort. Every band worth its salt seems destined to release one eventually, and Khemmis is no exception. Once again, the band has teamed up with Nuclear Blast Records to unleash their latest offering.
This album feels like a return to the band's earlier days, recapturing much of the Heavy Metal ferocity that helped establish their reputation while still retaining their signature melodic sensibilities. Historically, I’ve admired Khemmis more than I’ve truly connected with them. Their previous releases were undoubtedly well-crafted, but for one reason or another, they never became records I returned to often. This self-titled album is a different story.
What stands out immediately is just how melody-driven the material is. At times, the songwriting almost borders on Pop Rock in its accessibility, but that shouldn’t be mistaken for softness. Rather, it demonstrates the band’s commitment to extracting every ounce of power and emotion from a great melody. When Khemmis finds a memorable hook, they ride it to its fullest potential.
The guitar work and vocal melodies complement one another exceptionally well. The clean vocals are a major strength and remain somewhat uncommon within Doom Metal. They add a sense of grandeur and emotional depth that elevates the material. The harsher vocal passages are less effective for my tastes. They aren’t poorly executed, but I often find myself questioning whether they’re necessary when the clean vocals are already carrying so much of the album’s weight. That, of course, comes down to personal preference.
In many ways, this record feels closer to traditional Heavy Metal than Doom. The driving approach, soaring melodies, and abundance of sing-along hooks are difficult to ignore. Doom is often associated with gloom, tension, and brooding atmospheres, yet this album evokes the opposite reaction. Instead of feeling weighed down, I find myself grinning from ear to ear. It may very well be the most uplifting Doom record I’ve heard in quite some time. Perhaps Khemmis has always possessed this quality, and I simply never spent enough time with the band to fully appreciate it.
Regardless, this album is poised to become one of the year’s most sought-after releases and will likely find its way onto many year-end lists. Don’t overlook it, Khemmis has delivered a remarkably strong record and remains a formidable force in today’s metal scene.
Standouts – “Tomb Of Roses”, “Corpsebloom Garden” and “Beneath The Scythe”.