THE BLACK HALO

Probably Kamelot´s best. After the groundbreaking Epica everybody was waiting for the second part fo the story, based on Goethe´s Faust. And umbelieving... they surpassed themselves with The Black Halo. The sound is even more sophisticated, elegant, melodic, varied and powerful. The band at its peak, no less. It´s really outstanding how the band´s sound changed in such a short time. Ok, it still retains some of their power metal roots, but certainly the music now is too elaborated, too intricated and progressive to be labeled simply as such. The guitar and drums patterns change from track to track, new elements are included to the already symphonic overall sound. They even include some keyboards solos (courtesy of Jens Johansson, from the finnish band Stratovarius). The presence of guest singers playing the parts of the other characters of the story are also a plus to help give the album a better view of the concept. And, of course, there is the vcoice of Roy Khan, one fo the most gifted frontman nowadays.

Of course it is not an easy listening CD, in the vein of Karma or The Fourth legacy. It takes some getting used to fully appreciatee all the nuances, like most prog albums. But once you do it you´ll certainly be mesmerized by the majestic music. One of the few cases of a band that gets better and better with each album release. Kamelot could have stayed on safer ground but decided to risk it all doing bolder projects and not fearing to expand their sound into new directions.

The results would be this masterpiece and, consequently, the recording of one of the most enthralling DVDs I ever saw (On Cold Winter´s Night, recorded during the tour promting The Black Halo). This is progressive symphonic metal at its best. 5 stars, no less!