THE BLACK HALO

Since 1991 (Or 1995 when their first full-length came out) Kamelot has been a dominant force in the power metal genre. Their newest concept-release, The Black Halo, still shows us that their strength still remains - and they make it sound like a masterpiece - speaking through the eyes of Kamelot, the album deals with love, wonder, life and death. A true beauty to the ears.

The album opens with March of Mephisto, one of the greatest introductions for an album. The song is exceptionally well done. The chorus is completely drawing. It involves front man from Dimmu Borgir, Shagrath. The second song is just as well done. When the Lights are Down is one of those songs with amazing choir work from the "Kamelot Choir." It consists of Herbie Langhans (Seventh Avenue), Amanda Somerville-Scharf, Miro, Gerit Gobel, Thomas Rettke (Heaven's Gate) and Elisabeth Kjaernes. The choir is a well-rounded group, which makes the album THAT much better. The sound they produce is fantastic.

I would also like to give special notice to keyboardist Jens Johannsson from Stratovarius playing keys. His epic sound to the album gave me chills. You really get a good taste of it within track eight, Moonlight. His keys and the voice of Roy Khan make one of the most excellent songs of the album. Thomas Youngblood adds his own touch in with a solo, emphasizing on the epic thrill.

The best part about the album is that it never really loses its strength. Once you are built up at the very beginning of the album, you stay there. You are never taken back down. The power of the album stays strong throughout the entire hour the music creates. The last song, Serenade, ends with a great guitar solo, and those amazing, epic keys I've babbled about. Beautifully played. I have fallen in love with this album. I wish I could bear its children.

This well-composed and technical masterpiece with great, powerful vocal melodies by Khan, show us that Kamelot is far from over. Guitar work from Youngblood is still as strong as it was years ago. If one can create such a piece of art like this, surely we can be expecting stuff in the future. Completely jaw dropping and awe-inspiring.

- Derek Smith (www.noofficialcapacity.net)