In 1991, Pekka Kokko and Petri Sankala founded the metal band Ancestor. After Ancestor had recorded two demos, Antti Kokko joined the band as lead guitarist. In 1998, after five demos, Ancestor disbanded and Kalmah was formed. The new band consisted of Pekka Kokko performing vocals and guitar, Antti Kokko on lead guitar, Pasi Hiltula on keyboards, Altti Veteläinen on bass, and Petri Sankala on drums.
Kalmah began to write songs for a promotional CD entitled Svieri Obraza. With this demo, they acquired a recording contract with Spinefarm Records and headed to Tico-Tico Studios to record their debut album, Swamplord.
By November 2001, they returned to Tico-Tico Studios to record their second studio album, They Will Return. By this time, Veteläinen and Sankala were replaced by Timo Lehtinen on bass and Janne Kusmin on drums, respectively. In 2002, Kalmah played shows in Finland and at Wacken Open Air. In February 2003, they recorded their third studio album, Swampsong. In 2004, keyboardist Pasi Hiltula left and was replaced by Marco Sneck. The band released The Black Waltz in 2006 and For the Revolution in 2008. Kalmah toured in Canada and Finland to promote the latter album.
Kalmah's sixth studio album was released in Japan on 24 February 2010, Canada on 2 March, Europe on 3 March and North America on 6 April. Recording and mixing took place from May to August at Tico-Tico Studios in Finland, and mastering for the disc took place at the Cutting Room in Sweden. The track "Bullets Are Blind" was released in December 2009 on a 2-CD collection included with the 35th anniversary issue of Soundi magazine. In March 2010, 12 Gauge became the first Kalmah album to be released on vinyl. The album was mastered for vinyl by Joona Lukala, Noise for Fiction, and released by Svart Records in a limited run of 500 copies.
In 2012, Kalmah finished filming a new music video for their upcoming album, due to be released in 2013. The band have kept fans up to date with their process via social networking website Facebook by uploading different photos, as well as a short behind the scenes video from the day of filming their video. They also announced that they currently have 6 songs finished, and they plan to enter the studio in January 2013. The artwork for their seventh studio album will be created by artist Juha Vuorma, the man also behind the art of Kalmah's first 3 albums. In April 2013, it was announced that the band will release their seventh studio album, Seventh Swamphony, on 17 June.
Kalmah's eighth album, Palo, was released on April 6, 2018. A single from the album, "The Evil Kin" was released on February 9, 2018
Cold Sweat
Kalmah Lyrics
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And headed for the big race
I felt a chill on my backbone
As I hung up the telephone
Stone cold sober and stone cold sweat
Running down the back of my neck
To lose means trouble, to win pays double
Cold, cold sweat
They say chances on the outside
Are looking very slim
I've been so lucky on the inside
I feel I'm going to win
Stone cold sober and stone cold sweat
Running down the back of my neck
Take a little money, there's nothing left to lose
And I got me a heavy bet
Cold, cold sweat
I've got me a whole month's wages
I haven't seen that much in ages
I might spend it in stages
And move out to Las Vegas
Stone cold sober and stone cold sweat
Running down the back of my neck
To lose means trouble, to win means double
And I got me a heavy bet
Cold, cold sweat
I put my money in the suitcase
They say chances on the outside
I got a whole months wages
Stone cold sober and stone cold sweat
Stone cold crazy
Place another bet
The song "Cold Sweat" by Kalmah is a reflective piece that explores the risks and thrills of gambling. The singer, who is presumably a seasoned gambler, has bet his entire month's wages on a single race, feeling both anxious and excited as he prepares for the event. He describes the sensation of "stone cold sweat" running down his neck, a physical manifestation of the intense emotions he is experiencing.
Despite the risk involved, the singer exudes confidence in his ability to win, having previously had a lucky streak. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation as he contemplates the dangers of losing, but ultimately the rush of potentially doubling his bet outweighs the fear of losing everything. The chorus, "Cold, cold sweat," repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's nervousness and heightened state of alert.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is deeply committed to the thrill of gambling, as he contemplates using his earnings to move to Las Vegas and continue his high-stakes lifestyle. Overall, "Cold Sweat" is a cautionary tale about the temptations and consequences of risking everything for the thrill of gambling.
Line by Line Meaning
I put my money in the suitcase
I stored my money in a suitcase to prepare for the upcoming event.
And headed for the big race
I proceeded to participate in the competition.
I felt a chill on my backbone
I sensed a sudden fear or nervousness in my body.
As I hung up the telephone
After ending my phone call, the realization of the risk involved hit me.
Stone cold sober and stone cold sweat
I am completely alert but also very afraid.
Running down the back of my neck
My fear is visibly manifesting through drops of sweat flowing from my head down to my neck.
To lose means trouble, to win pays double
I am aware of the consequences of either winning or losing in this situation.
And I got me a heavy bet
I have placed a large amount of money at stake.
They say chances on the outside
People are saying that the likelihood of winning is low.
Are looking very slim
The possibility of winning is highly unlikely according to general opinion.
I've been so lucky on the inside
Despite external predictions, I have been fortunate so far.
I feel I'm going to win
I am optimistic and confident about winning.
Take a little money, there's nothing left to lose
I have lost everything else and now have nothing to lose, so I decide to put some money on the line again.
I've got me a whole month's wages
I have gathered a considerable amount of money to risk.
I haven't seen that much in ages
It has been a while since I held such a large amount of money at once.
I might spend it in stages
I plan to spend the money in smaller amounts over time.
And move out to Las Vegas
I intend to use my winnings to move to Las Vegas.
Stone cold crazy
I am acting recklessly due to my intense emotions and stress.
Place another bet
I decide to take one more chance and place yet another bet.
Cold, cold sweat
I am extremely nervous and anxious about the situation at hand.
Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.