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So 2005 is on the roll, and it is already obvious that this year
will be a marker for metal. Masterplan surprised us with what sounded
as one of my top three favorites. Who was to top this CD? Certainly
NOT Judas Priest!
But
who would have thought Kamelot will take care of this tremendous
task?
It’s seventh studio effort is titled The Black Halo,
and believe me; this one grabs you by the throat. Throughout the
songs, it features the continued storyline from the band’s
previous “concept” album, Epica.
“March
of Mephisto,” is one in a row of fine intro’s from this
band with Dimmu Borgir’s Sagrath as Mephisto, bursting into
“When the lights are down.” It features rolling drums
and bass, tight together by the amazing riffs of Thomas Youngblood
in teutonic harmony. On top of all this is the fine and warm voice
of Roy again. “The Haunting,” is casting it’s
dark spell on us with an intimate touch. It is a typical ‘80s
metal track lifted to modern high standards with a guest role from
Dutch rising star of gothic Simone Simons of EPICA. The remarkable
“Soul Society,” again, is a state of the art melodic
metal hymn with pompous keys and powerful drumming from Case.
Next
up is one of three interludes, entitled “Dei Gratia,”
that paves the road for piano ballad “Abandoned,” with
a large choir and orchestra towards the end that shoots into oblivion.
This is when Roy Khan shows just how flexible his voice is. It’s
deep, warm and emotional. It gives you the shivers. “This
pain,” is dark and threatening and unloads into the most excellent
Kamelot guitar solo of all time. Youngblood already is counted to
the top shredders in metal, but what he shows us here is simply
on the edge. “Moonlight” puts the pedal down. It features
industrial-touched keyboard lines that combine with some amazing
nu metal sounding riff work.
Grillo’s
multi-layer drumming creates the depth that makes this band stand
out in metal today. “Moonlight” tricks and intrigues
and is followed by the second interlude, “Un assassinio molto
silenzio,” that leads us swiftly into the title track. “The
Black Halo,” for one is typical Kamelot, yet it also throws
some punches. It’s mysterious and pompous with a spotlight
feature on Roy. “Nothing Ever Dies” tears it up again
with excellent full-speed melodic metal and with some marvellous
and Kamelot-signature up-tempo breaks. It makes way to the biggest
endeavour from Kamelot: “Memento Mori.”
Not
only is this an epic 8:54 minute masterpiece from the Kamelot pack,
it is by far the best and most renewing melodic metal track of the
last decades! It has it all; the soaring and powerful warm vocals
of Khan, amazing breaks and powerful drumming from Grillo, a galloping
and energetic bass from the charismatic Glenn Barry, and the most
amazing guitar shredding from main man Thomas Youngblood. It shows
us how well this band keeps evolving with every release. “Memento
Mori” is their pledge to the crown.
Interlude
three, is a cacophony of noise and leads us into the last track,
“Serenade.” It is an energetic track that makes you
want to play this record again, and again, and again. Kamelot delivers
the album of the year!
Line-Up:
Thomas Youngblood (g), Khan (v), Glenn Barry (b), Casey Grillo (d)
Kamelot`s
official Bandpage: www.kamelot.com
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