KAMELOT – Haven (2015)

*

In existence for nearly 25 years, there have been few metal bands as constant and consistent as KAMELOT. To be released next May 8, “Haven” is their eleventh record. To be honest, after the terrific first albums Kamelot started to boring me, but this new effort brings back the inventive of their origins.
Album number two with ‘new’ singer Tommy Karevik (Ayreon, Seventh Wonder) which to me was a great find, “Haven” is another Kamelot power house CD: melodic and progressive power metal wrapped up in a nearly cinematic symphonic soundscape.

Kamelot’s musical tapestry has always been bold and bombastic. They don’t so much want to crush with thier sound, but surround and overwhelm you, envelope you and make you a part of the music.
Large riffage, lush orchestral layers, the assertive and thundering rhytym section, Thomas Youngblood’s fiery guitar leads, Oliver Palotai’s swirling synth solos, and Tommy Karevik’s dramatic voice.
However, as seems usual, excepting the more quiet parts, Karevik is complementary. Some of this comes from the symphonic power metal getting the upper hand in most arrangements.

Probably more significant is guitarist Youngblood and Kamelot’s natural ability to bind those aforementioned elements in deliberate and infectious melody and harmony. It’s what continues to make the Kamelot sound both majestic and accessible.
A good example is “Veil of Elysium”, a large, breathtaking number, which turns nicely on the melody of the chorus. Another is “Insomnia” where, from the start, the chord structure and sympho layer are both leading and catchy. A good groove underneath builds early, complimented again by a fine harmony in the vocal arrangement and chorus.

“Under Grey Skies” is another really melodious, gentle cut. An acoustic and symphonic song which builds evenly to crescendo, it finds Karevik in duet with Charlotte Wessels from Delain. It’s also the song that best displays Karevik’s vocal depth. It’s quite moving overall, and a highlight.
Sometimes, simply, Kamelot can be heavy and explosive as with “Citizen Zero” and “Liar Liar”, yet both have moments of contrast, subtle lightness that should not be be missed.

“Haven” is another glossy, slick and highfaluting outing from the royalty of American prog-power Kamelot. It’s perhaps too much melodic for straight metal-heads, and that’s because I like it so much: lots of melody.
It’s a quite recommended listen for everyone, always creative and intriguing.

01 – Fallen Star
02 – Insomnia
03 – Citizen Zero
04 – Veil of Elysium
05 – Under Grey Skies
06 – My Therapy
07 – Ecclesia
08 – End of Innocence
09 – Beautiful Apocalypse
10 – Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)
11 – Here’s To the Fall
12 – Revolution
13 – Haven

Tommy Karevik – Vocals
Thomas Youngblood – Guitars
Sean Tibbetts – Bass
Oliver Palotai – Keyboards
Casey Grillo – Drums
guests:
Charlotte Wessels (Delain) – vocals
Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) – vocals
Troy Donockley (Nightwish) – Uilleann pipes

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