MyStreamz.com CD Reviews

Without - in any way - being the greatest Kamelot follower in this shameless Music world, I have to admit I always liked this band. And there's a good reason for this: added to the marvelous, notable harmony work by founder/mainman Thomas Youngblood, the unique, charismatic voice of ex-Conception frontman Roy Khan really creates endlessly "growing" requirements for what this quartet can do from album to album. To this - 7th - excellent work.

Kamelot must be the type of band you can feel "secure" about. Always mixing the European Power Metal strength with the mature U.S. Prog Metal cleverness also pouring lots of baroque or oriental elements, to Thomas' credit - "The Black Halo" succeeded in disturbing my peace, in a way that the listener can easily stop doing whatever stuff he used to do while listening to a CD album and let himself "get lost/travel" into the magical world of a musical "sting" that tends to (or already has, you choose) become Kamelot's own pattern/trademark. Youngblood and Khan began writing the album's material early enough to focus on both the "spine" of each track but also to debate on the suitable production. That's for good! Mainly produced at the Pathway and Gate studios in Wolfsburg, Germany by all-around Sascha Paeth and Miro, the opening tune of "March Of Mephisto" saws the Faust-ian path for the artist(s) to walk on. Themes of love, wonder, life, death and spirit summon dozens of feelings in an album way more efficient/artful compared to its predecessor, "Epica" (anyway, an at least very good work).

Khan's vocal lines are again filled with passion, "emotional to the bone" dare I state. You really can't get tired of this man's voice. I can bring in mind various similar vocalists but never have I witnessed such a transformation of melancholy to a need for wondering before. Of course, Roy has the perfect "back-up" on Youngblood's hands... Will this guy ever run out of ideas/melodies? Not to forget, Thomas' touch is a little bit more "vivid" than in at least the band's two previous albums. Which brings us to the perfect (not only) rhythm section of Glenn Barry and Casey Grillo. This duo ensures my strong belief that the bass and the drums have more "guts" than destined in a usual recording. Just remember to check the double-bass drumming from time to time...

Lots of guests bring their will into this effort. Notable contribution by Shagrath (vocals, Dimmu Borgir) and Jens Johansson (keyboards, Stratovarius etc) make "March Of Mephisto" an adorable cut. Epica's vocalist Simon Simons also has a guest appearance, while remarkable work is done by the Kamelot choir adding the required "feeling" where needed. Speakin' of feeling: just check a night minute semi-masterpiece here under the "blessed" name of "Memento Mori". Where the soul is certified epic...

No more tears... "The Black Halo" will surely prove to be a killer for the Kamelot clan. Whether there's no other strong player in this "field" or I don't get that excited anymore with the average "good... clap clap clap..." whatever album, here's the living proof that passion is alive and you don't have to wait for the next 25-year-career-band's album to confirm how emotion can be transformed into music and lyrics.