KARMA

Most prog-metal listeners will be disappointed by this album. Here we don't have symphonic progressive metal in the Dream Theater vein, nothing experimental a la Pain of Salvation or Kayo Dot, and nothing death metal influence to the flavor of Opeth. In fact what we have here isn't really prog at all, or even anything especially technical. Kamelot's Karma is really little more than symphonic power metal, carrying all the annoying clichés of that genre.

You will know if you like this or hate it on the first listen. There's nothing to "get" here. If catchy hooks and sing along choruses annoy you this album won't be for you. If you can enjoy a good power metal band with strong symphonic tendencies and vocal harmonies, than this should be a solid release. Kahn has a wonderfully emotive voice that sometimes irks me with its bombastic quality but overall fits the music quite well, but the rest of the band really fails to impress me especially drummer Casey Grillo who spends too much time stomping his feet to lay down any serious beats.

"Wings of Despair, The Light I Shine On You, Fall From Grace" are solid catchy songs that enjoy even if their popish qualities grow old after repeated listens. The rest of the album has its moments but does little to stamp my memory. Not an album for those whose taste require something more challenging.