Admire the Grim - Resist

Compared to my other reviews, this one is shorter. I've only listened to Admire the Grim’s debut album, Resist, twice so far. I plan to return to it with more focus in the coming week because there’s a lot here worth digging into.

Admire the Grim is a Finnish melodic death metal band formed in 2021 in Lappeenranta. The lineup features vocalist Katri Snellman, guitarists Jani Loikkanen and Sirja Ojaniemi, bassist Petri Hänninen, and drummer Tommi Vante. They released their debut EP Rogue Five in 2023, followed by Resist in 2025.

The album immediately caught my attention, partly due to my love for Finnish melodic death metal, especially bands like Kalmah and Children of Bodom. The Finnish scene has always excelled at blending speed, melody, and intricate guitar work, and this album continues that tradition.

Guitar lovers, in particular, will find this record to be a full-on assault of everything I love about the genre. It's packed with rich harmonies, blazing melodies, and impressive solos, yet it never feels cluttered or overdone. The interplay between lead and rhythm guitars is tight and purposeful, often mixing melodic leads into aggressive riffs without losing coherence. There's also a precision to the drumming that keeps everything locked in but still energetic.

Although Children of Bodom seems like a clear influence, Admire the Grim doesn’t fall into the trap of blind imitation. They use that legacy as inspiration and build their own voice on top of it. Their absence of keyboards sets them apart and gives the guitars more space to dominate the mix, which works well for their sound. Vocally, there’s a distinct tone that doesn’t try to recreate Alexi Laiho’s style, which is the right call. There’s a difference between copying someone and using them as a launchpad. Admire the Grim clearly understands that.

The album blazes off with four straight high-octane songs before giving the listener an acoustic instrumental break. They pick it right back up on the sixth track and continue with the same speed, precision, and energy. A few tracks stood out right away. "Crescent Moon" sets the tone right out of the gate with sharp energy and focused aggression. "Resist" follows with relentless drive and hooks that stick. "Rivers to Surge" and "Hypocrite" also stood out.

Production-wise, Resist sounds polished without being sterile. Everything is clear and well-separated in the mix, which allows the guitar harmonies and vocal phrasing to shine. There’s a lot happening in each track, but it never feels like too much. At the same time, the band's tone and riff choices carry a grit and swagger that feels ripped from an earlier era of metal. It’s not retro for the sake of nostalgia, but there’s an unmistakable rawness in the way they attack their sound, something that nods to the past while still feeling present. The production is very much up to date, but the feel of the riffs and the energy has that raw, classic spirit. It’s a mix of old-school attitude with modern clarity.

Resist is a strong opening statement from a band that respects its roots but clearly has its own vision. There’s serious potential here, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with the album to catch all the details I missed on first listen.

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