THE BLACK HALO

Listening to this record I couldn't help but think of some of the AYREON projects, it's like your listening to the soundtrack of an epic movie. As a matter of fact, last week at work I was dealing with a customer out front, and the cd changed in my stereo and this came on, the man in his late forties looks to the back where the beginning of "March Of Mephisto" could be heard and says "Is that a movie coming on ? It sounds like it could be the start of Lord of the Rings or something". I told him it was KAMELOT, a rock band and he says "Oh yeah, there's the guitars".The whole time he's smiling away. This is a grandious recording with all the elements I love about music, a great vocalist, scorching guitars and very melodic.

"When The Light Are Down" opens with some great bass and drum work. There is a good keyboard solo and the guitar is great, good song. "The Haunting (Somewhere in time)" is another powerful song with Khan's amazing vocals accompanied with the female vocals of Simone from EPICA and a terrific guitar melody. "Soul Society" features some crunchy guitar and orchestral passages. I must say the first four songs before the "Interlude I" are all 9 or 10 out of 10, what a way to open a record ! "Abandoned" is a beautiful song with piano, female vocals, strings and orchestal sounds.

"The Pain" is a heavy, melodic song with lots of guitar, it's great. "Moonlight" opens with the sound of a wolf howling as piano and strings come in and later some good guitar riffs. Next is the second interlude. "The Black Halo" is my favourite track, with a drum attack and a galloping rythmn driving this melodic song along. "Nothing Ever Dies" is a fast paced song with some wondrous guitar after 3 minutes. "Momento Mori" is my second favourite, but probably the best song on the album, this is a real trip, with beautiful vocals in the beginning to a heavy, intense passage.The album ends with "Serenade" an uptempo, positive tune.

If your into Metal, this one is for you. 4.5 stars.