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Kamelot - Silverthorn

Published November 16 2012


*
=Staff's pick

Manus Dei
Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)*
Ashes To Ashes
Torn*
Song For Jolee
Veritas
My Confession
Silverthorn
Falling Like The Fahrenheit*
Solitaire
Prodigal Son
(Part I - Funerale)
(Part II - Burden Of Shame)
(Part III - The Journey)
Continuum


Genre Progressive Metal
Tommy Karevik
Vocals
Tracks 12
Thomas Youngblood
Guitar
Running time 56 Min.
-
Guitar
Label SPV/Steamhammer
Sean Tibbetts
Bass
Release 29 October 2012
Casey Grillo
Drums
Country USA
Oliver Palotai
Keyboard
Producer Sascha Paeth, Miro
Similar artists ---

Additional musicians: Elize Ryd (vocals), Alissa White-Gluz (vocals), Sascha Paeth (additional guitars and vocals), Michael "Miro" Rodenberg (keyboards), among others. Co-produced by Kamelot.

With a new lead vocalist in Swedish phenomenon Tommy Karevik, American progressive metallers Kamelot release their ninth studio album. Their last album, Poetry For The Poisoned, was their weakest album since 1998's Siége Perilous and perhaps commotion within the band, not pointing towards former frontman Roy Khan, was a strong factor for that outcome.

Kamelot continues their now written path and I don't see significant changes from their latest releases, just natural progress. Still kind of bombastic, symphonic, progressive and with additional female vocals. When comparing to the above mentioned last album though, my instant thoughts are improvement and that the songs as a whole are way better on Silverthorn. Also, the new lead singer has many similarities with his predecessor, who many thought was irreplaceable or at least very important for the band and its sound. I can tell you right away, that with Karevik behind the mic, I don't miss Khan that much. I totally agree with the choice of this new talent.

Songs with speedier and uplifting, at least musically, as the lyrical contents aren't always that uplifting, make me pay extra attention. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife), Torn, Solitaire and The Journey, who works as part 3 of the nine minute grievous track Prodigal Son, are all in that category and make me want to listen to this album again. As do heavier and slower semi-ballad Falling Like The Fahrenheit and melodic track My Confession.

Veritas with annoying quires and a stiff melody shows what I think Kamelot shouldn't sound like. It's heavy though and perhaps it will work if played live? Also I see no greatness whatsoever in the title track with its plastic rhythms. Anyway, even though all songs obviously don't rule, I don't lose interest, as this release is one huge step forward to greater days of Kamelot again.

See also review of: Haven , The Black Halo , Epica , Karma

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

7

6

7

9

7

 
Summary



7 chalices of 10 - Tobbe


Related links:

www.kamelot.com
www.myspace.com/kamelot
www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial