‘What if the heart was never broken.’
So, I’m back in Tampa for this review (Obituary being my first visit) and it’s our symphonic metal compadres Kamelot, and just like the round table, we reconvene for their newest adventure, giving rise to ‘The Awakening’ saddle up amigos and let’s blaze a trail over land and sea, and go wherever the music takes you. Having waited five years for this, I’m certain there are plenty of parched and desiccated bodies out there quivering with anticipation.
The dramatic ‘Overture’ begins this journey and leads straight into the perfect opener ‘The Great Divide’ huge riffs, huge chorus, reminiscent of Brainstorm, Dragonforce and Sabaton, I dare you to not get up and prance round the room like a lunatic.
Symphony metal to me is a creative art sublime, it is a bringer of joy, a flowing, soothing entity, one that encapsulates all the good in the world and makes it even better. It is easy on the ears, with a singalong attribute that catapults you into hyperspace, and you have no intention of coming back down to this godforsaken planet, not right now anyway.
The vocal proficiency of Tommy Karevik, powerful yet tender, hushed tones that stroke your aching heart, exquisitely supported by Thomas Youngblood – guitars, Oliver Palotai – keyboards, Sean Tibbetts -bass and Alex Landenberg on drums. Together they surge through your body, like waves crashing upon the shoreline, a cleansing, and a rebirth after being left out in the wilderness.
The second single ‘Opus Of The Night (Ghost Requiem)’ features Grammy nominated cellist Tina Guo and gives me ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ chills, very theatrical, and haunting in its delivery. Let Tommy serenade you with the incredibly romantic words ‘an old fashioned heart is a winterland waiting to bloom’ from ‘Midsummer’s Eve’ so gallant, so charming…. swoon…faint….
So, I get a mention- well sort of- ‘my sweet Azraelle, I welcome you’ – from ‘Bloodmoon’ a nice surprise there I must say, feeling all giggly and mushy inside.
Statement track here would be ‘New Babylon’ featuring Melissa Bonny ( Ad Infinitum) a veritable shake you to your core song that is strong and sassy, fiery and intense, scorching your soul. Be enamoured by ‘Willow’ with lyrics to fall in love to ‘my memories remain my pillow as I fall asleep’ impassioned and dreamy.
Raise a glass to Kamelot, a place of happiness, an idyll where days and dreams collide, let this be your paramour, your companion until everything has died.
Azra Pathan
Kamelot – The Awakening out now via Napalm Records.