A band I know I always enjoy is Kamelot, though a lot of people hate them, not quite sure why. Given that, their last release,
Silverthorn, really tested me as it was just so goddamn depressing. I hope they've cheered up a little for their new one, which also hit the shelves in May.
Haven --- Kamelot --- 2015 (Napalm Records)
Introduction: This is the second Kamelot album to feature new vocalist Tommy Karevik, whose work I really had no chance to evaluate on the previous album due to being so saddened by it, but there are guest vocalists here too, as well as a turn by Nightwish's Troy Donockley.
Track-by-track
1. Fallen star: This appears to be a dramatic, balladic piece which immediately showcases Karevik's voice before ramping up on the dependable guitars of Thomas Youngblood and the expressive keyboards of Oliver Palatoi, and rocking along in a mid-paced vein. Sounds like Kamelot are back! Suck it, haters, as Batty would grin, were this a Manowar album.
2. Insomnia: More uptempo, with urgent, racing keys
3. Citizen Zero: Very spacey, atmospheric guitar opens the song, then there's a definite sense of the dystopian that reminds me of bands like Shadow Gallery here. Slow, kind of anthemic beat with the guitars snapping like dogs at your heels. That famous Kamelot choir comes in now, very progressive rock style keys from Palatoi. Casey Grillo's pounding drums and Sean Tibbet's steady bass drive everything along, and above it all Tommy Karevik puts in a sterling performance behind the mike. Favourite track so far.
4. Veil of Elysium: Given the title, I thought this might be a ballad. Wrong. It hammers along in the vein of songs like “Descent of the archangel” from
Epica and “When the lights are down” from
The Black Halo; lots of energy and passion here.
5. Under grey skies: Here comes Troy on the tin whistle. Nice little song, very pastoral; I guess you'd call it the first ballad, with a guest appearance from Charlotte Wessels, who duets with Karevik. Kamelot do ballads very well, and they don't disappoint on this one.
6. My therapy: Back to the hard rockin' tracks, another catchy melody and some real machinegun guitar from Youngblood. Orchestral style keys, sweeping and elegant.
7. Ecclesia: Nothing more than an interlude, less than a minute long, choral vocals and keys. Quite nice for what it is.
8. End of innocence: Swaying sort of rhythm, powerful guitar and again orchestral keys; lyric robs the Marillion line “Where do we go from here?” that introduces “White Russian” on
Clutching at Straws. Don't know if that's intentional but you never know.
9. Beautiful apocalypse: Very odd beginning, sounds like a sitar? Kicks right up soon afterwards with hard guitar and piano. Doesn't, to be fair, make that much of an impression.
10. Liar liar (Wasteland monarchy): Bringing in guest vocals from Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz, this rockets along on a very powerful vocal from Karevik, gorgeous strings interludes from Palotai and absolutely apocalyptic drumming from Grillo. Very
Black Halo-ish. Have to be honest though: so far I don't really hear Alissa's contribution. Some superb runs from Palatoi. Okay, I hear her now but it's about a minute to the end of the song. Bit of a waste perhaps?
11. Here's to the fall: Just a gorgeous orchestral instrumental opening. The second ballad, and well worth waiting for. Well placed too. Great vehicle for Tommy Karevik's voice, almost breaking with emotion. Lovely piano from Oliver Palatoi.
12. Revolution: Another hard rocker, definitely more echoes of
The Black Halo, and with a reprise performance from Alissa White-Gluz. Slows down on the back of lush keyboards near the end.
13. Haven: Short atmospheric, dramatic instrumental to close.
Conclusion: Although I believe Kamelot attained their peak in the period 2003 – 2007, and their albums after this have struggled to compare to their “golden age”, this goes a long way towards helping them reclaim their former glory, and could be a step in the right direction as they try to find their way back into the light after two rather lacklustre albums. At least it doesn't leave me with tears in my eyes and feeling suicidal!