ALBUM REVIEW: Kamelot – The Awakening

I first encountered KAMELOT when they released The Black Halo album way back in 2005. I was relatively new to the world of Power and Symphonic metal and KAMELOT were amongst the first bands that I discovered. Suffice to say that album is amongst my Top 10 favourite albums of all-time and I have followed the band since then. Their latest offering The Awakening is the bands thirteenth release so let’s see what lies in store…

Like every good overture Overture – Intro contains snapshots of the other pieces that will be showcased herein, and like all good opera intros, it will leave you wanting more and sets the scene for what will be awakened herein.

The Great Divide utilises an incredibly catchy and memorable choral opening. There’s so much here that would have the crowd eating out of KAMELOT’s hand wanting more and more. It’s quite easily one of the best songs that the band have ever wrote. There’s a lot of references to mental health too which I am glad is being portrayed in music and that people are finding it easier to open up about their circumstances without being judged for it too: “Tortured I have crumbled, In the prison of my own mind. Like a martyr, I have stumbled. Through the chaos you leave behind”

Eventide for me portrays the journey of a soul across the River Styx when Charon offers passage: “A passenger departs into the vast unknown. Lovingly he reads the final chapter.” This piece perfectly complements the bands previous offering so if you loved The Shadow Theory then you are going to love this too.

One More Flag In The Ground interestingly there is a lot of nods to the styles of METALITE and AMARANTHE about this one. This is apparent due to the album being produced by the legendary JAKE E, it is different for KAMELOT to use these synthesised/electronic sounds in the background of their tacks and is a complete juxtaposition to what they have utilised throughout their career to date. Granted it is a different approach, but it just shows that this band know that they can look at pushing in different directions and are not afraid to try something new.

Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem) has been confirmed as the sequel to their Ghost Opera track from the 2007 album of the same name. It does have overlapping themes to the aforementioned track and features cellist Tina Guo in the first of her album appearances. Lyrically it cataphorically references the fan favourite track too: “Reviving grand nostalgia. Come shivers of pure admiration” I feel that this song is possibly Thomas Youngblood’s homage to the classic Music of the Night by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Midsummer’s Eve is the second track to feature Tina Guo, this piece is a lot gentler in pace and pitch and is quintessentially a track that will entice a live crowd to sing along and exchange vocals with the band throughout. You could expect this to become a mainstay in the bands live shows in the future.

Bloodmoon has some serious Mediterranean vibes about it. From its flamenco inspired chords to the perfectly utilised embrace of the orchestral string section. This is a gorgeous composition from start to finish.

NightSky is a gothic inspired atmospheric masterpiece. It has an ongoing ethereal vibe as it flows across a cacophony of haunting symphonies. This is undoubtably classic KAMELOT

The Looking Glass is a beautifully entwined story that allows you to reach for the stars and embrace your dreams: “What if I told you a story. Where all that you wished for came true”. Musically it has all the right vibes for a heavy metal waltz and is a joy to behold.

New Babylon is an incredibly powerful and epic piece as soon as it begins, utilised through the incredibly huge choirs interlinked with both Tommy Karevik’s vocal mastery with the addition of guest vocalist Melissa Bonny too. It reminds one of classic THERION and even the magnificence of all the renowned classic operas of yesteryear.

Willow has an autumnal feel to it, and a massive change in tempo compared to the previous track. This is a piano-led ballad that builds layer upon layer that perfectly sets you up for the showpiece here which is the melancholic guitar solo by the maestro that is Thomas.

My Pantheon (Forevermore) as our tale comes to a close the band unleash a final swansong, which is grandiose and epic. They are true masters of their craft and throw everything at you for this curtain call.

Ephemara (Outro) As we reach the end this Awakening has certainly lived up to expectations. Our ensemble have completed their acts, the orchestra plays the final compositions with the string section fading eternally into silence.

I love it when reviews write themselves and this was certainly the case here! This album is undoubtably a contender for my album of the year already as we move into the second half of the year.

Rating: 10/10

Words: Martin White