Kamelot - Silverthorn

Power Metal
Steamhammer

2012

1. Manus Dei
2. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)
3. Ashes To Ashes
4. Torn
5. Song For Jolee
6. Veritas
7. My Confession
8. Silverthorn
9. Falling Like The Fahrenheit
10. Solitaire
11. Prodigal Son
12. Continuum.

I don't want to say I went into this one with no hope, but I did go in skeptical from the start. There were a couple of major factors working against this one for me and I knew that. First, I didn't really like what I was hearing out of the new vocalist in terms of live and previews. Second, I didn't like the last Kamelot album very much and had to wonder if they could rebound. So I guess we can say I was hoping for the best, but not expecting it.

Well, Silverthorn is probably somewhere between my expectations and my hopes. This really isn't a bad album and the new singer is comfortable in Khan's style. The problem is... it's Khan's style. He sounds like he's trying so hard to do a cover rather than do his own thing. The vocal delivery is competent, but I can't help but feel like this is an imitation of the real, better thing. I guess that's fairly typical of replacement vocalists, but I do find it effects my enjoyment of the album.

Musically, Silverthorn is an improvement over Poetry For The Poisoned and does sound more Black Halo in nature with a firmer grounding in power metal. I don't find anything particularly remarkable though. Much like the vocalist this sounds more like it's Trying to be what they once were rather than break new ground. The whole thing just comes off as a bit safe and uninspired. Certainly, better than the road they were headed down, but I would also hope they'd be able to take a new road rather than just retreading past steps.

The bottom line for me is I can appreciate this as a pretty good power metal sound, but I don't latch onto the songs and the choruses, etc don't carry quite the same power. This is an above average power metal release and probably will be good enough for most fans, but I can't really get too excited about it personally. This is the sound of a band I don't think will ever reach quite the same highs as before. Considering the last album was about a 3.0 from me I'd give this about a 3.5. An improvement, but still not up to the standards previously set. I don't want to be too harsh and the sound is fairly well put together. Silverthorn does sound like Kamelot and I think fans will consider this a pretty decent transition and better than the last album. I just can't say that I'm 100% sold. Good, but not quite great.

Highlights: Sacrimony, Silverthorn, Falling Like The Fahrenheit

Rating - 3.5/5

Kamelot - Poetry For The Poisoned

Gothic Power Metal
earMusic/Edel Music

2010

1. The Great Pandemonium
2. If Tomorrow Came
3. Dear Editor
4. The Zodiac
5. Hunter's Season
6. House on a Hill
7. Necropolis
8. My Train of Thoughts
9. Seal of Woven Years
10. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. 1 - Incubus
11. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. 2 -So Long
12. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. 3 - All Is Over
13. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. 4 - Dissection
14. Once upon a Time

There's really no denying Kamelot have become a very different band over the past couple albums. As with any big shake up in a band's sound, some have embraced it and some have hated it. Personally speaking, I loved the change, but that's coming from the perspective of someone who was not much a fan initially. As a fan of darker, gothic music driven by emotion I liked the past couple a great deal and they really made me more of a fan. That being said I've become a follower of a band and was looking forward to what they would do next.

Here's the thing... when a band starts to alter their sound there is usually a balance to be struck. Sometimes a band incorporates a bit of a new sound to their style and it freshens things up, adding new dimensions. Then the band will decide this new sound is great and it will take over with bad results. By this preamble I think you can probably sense where this review is going. Poetry For The Poisoned is a perfect example of taking things too far and forgetting your base.

The beauty of The Black Halo and Ghost Opera imo was the albums played to the band's strengths by really letting Roy Kahn be expressive with his voice while adding more heaviness to balance his somewhat lighter vocals. The thing was that there was still great power metal vocal melodies though and the albums kept a great melodic sense about them. This is, in large part, where Poetry For The Poisoned comes up short.

In their focus on sounding darker things have just gone too far and the results are getting awkward. Also, in their change in focus has come a leaning toward something a bit commercial as the band itself has said they've included some modern rock influences, etc. Lead off single and album starter The Great Pandemonium is a perfect example of why this isn't working taking the music this far to a new direction. Twangy guitars that sound multi-layered lead off the track awkwardly and are accompanied by harsh background vocals that don't seem to gel. Furthermore, when Roy Kahn comes in he starts off trying to sound dark and whispery or something which just sucks frankly. These sorts of vocals totally play Away from his strengths and the more melodic parts don't really make up for lots of harsh or whispery, poorly executed, 'dark' crap. This is pretty much the song that killed my expectations of the album and put me more in line with the reality of it.

The rest of the album more or less follows suit. Maybe not as bad as that first track, which is truly abysmal btw, but things never really recover. Poetry For The Poisoned just lacks songwriting and powerful epic moments. Very little here feels meaningful or particularly memorable. There are reminders of good Kamelot here in bits and pieces, but the songs don't seem to come together. There are also moments of the good orchestration that added to the dark feel of Ghost Opera, but they come in the form of the fairly mediocre, multi-parted title track(s) and end up being a miss. It's like this album tries to be good, but there are road blocks on every track to greater songwriting.

To not be wholly negative, this album does have moments of enjoyability and I actually did not wholly dislike it. For instance, Hunter's Season does recall older Kamelot and feel powerful and melodic. The Zodiac is also worth mentioning as it is a bit down tempo and moody, but works as it seems to have a dramatic touch and is also boosted by some solid Jon Oliva vocals. The problem is that this just feels like a step back or should I say a step too far? Certainly, in terms of songwriting I'd say a step back.

The bottom line here is that Kamelot need to take a moment and reexamine the band. This feels a bit like a commercial play to the darker faux-goth or emo shit on modern/hard rock radio (though not quite going that far). I just get the feeling like flirting with the dark side so to speak and I suppose the band needs to decide with the next one if they will recover for their fans or seek new ones in other crowds. I'd say Poetry For The Poisoned will still be ok by most fans, if not loved, but it is also probably a cause for concern. Certainly, this does not live up to the past couple.

Highlights: The Zodiac, Hunter's Season

Rating - 3.0/5

Kamelot - Ghost Opera

Power Metal
SPV

2007

1. Solitaire
2. Rule The World
3. Ghost Opera
4. The Human Stain
5. Blücher
6. Love You to Death
7. Up Through the Ashes
8. Mourning Star
9. Silence of the Darkness
10. Anthem
11. EdenEcho

2 Years after The Black Halo, Kamelot return with this, their new album. The Black Halo garnered a lot of positive reviews and that most certainly includes from myself. Black Halo just brought everything together for the band in my eyes with the beefed up guitars adding a needed punch to the bands sound. The question for me going into this one was whether or not it was a one off fluke or if Kamelot had really decided to turn up the metal a notch.

My question is answered now and it is indeed the answer I was looking for. Ghost Opera picks up very much in the vein of Black Halo and some heavy as hell, almost sinister sounding riffs work their way into what an album full of majesty, darkness, and emotion. Roy Kahn's light and emotive vocals and the now heavier sounding riffs of Thomas Youngblood proove a perfect combination. You'd almost think they don't belong together heard separately but it all comes together beautifully and serves to balance the release in terms of atmosphere and ass kicking. Ghost Opera just has both and does it well with a number of very memorable songs loaded with guitar hooks and powerful singing. From start to finish I have nothing but praise for this one and it seems Kamelot are really thrusting themselves to the top of the power metal game. Symphonic touches are also included tastefully and never seem to overblown to my ears. All of the orchestration just compliments the songs and even adds to the heaviness.

Ghost Opera seems to me to be a very recommendable album as it blends heavy power metal, lighter fare, and symphonic touches admirably. If you like power metal with some edge to it than this is for you. If you're already a Kamelot fan and dug the direction of The Black Halo than I think you should be very pleased.

Highlights: The Human Stain, Blucher, Mourning Star, Rule The World

Rating - 4.0/5