Where do I begin to sing the praises of Kamelot?

Khan's voice is astounding. He's a combination of Geoff Tate and John Schlitt (a highly underrated rock singer, most recently of Petra), with a bit of Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) thrown in for good measure.

Guitarist Thomas Youngblood isn't a shredder the way Symphony X's Michael Romeo or Stratovarius' Timo Tolkki are, but he has a powerful, melodic style that I like very much nonetheless. Best of all, he's a true renaissance guitarist, equally at home on an electric, classical or acoustic guitar. Very few guitarists these days are that accomplished.

The songs on Karma are deep, creative, beautiful and sometimes complex without being overpowering the way Symphony X or Dream Theater can get.

I wouldn't call this prog metal. Symphonic metal is more like it. Or symphonic power metal. Whatever label you care to give it, this is extremely moving music.

It's hard to pick a favorite song, but I like the melody and brisk pace of "Across the Highlands."

Other favorites include "Forever," "Requiem for the Innocent," "Fall from Grace" and even "Ne Pleure Pas," the U.S. Bonus track, sung in French (with beautiful strings and classical guitar accompaniment).

Another surprise: This isn't a European power metal band. These guys are from Florida! Unbelievable. I had no freakin' clue that American bands were this good. Aside from Symphony X, I really didn't know any symphonic power prog/metal bands hailed from the States.

I'm going to waste no time ordering Kamelot's back catalog (I think they have five other CDs)...and keeping a watch on the concert circuit for a gig close to Michigan. This is truly a must-see band!


The best power metal band on the planet?   March 5, 2002
Joe White (Layton, Utah United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Is Kamelot the best power metal band on Earth? Well, I think they are at least the best European-style power metal band around. And Khan may be the best singer in all of metal.

Some things you should know about Kamelot:

1. Though three-fourths of the band members are American, Kamelot is definitely a European power metal band in style. In other words, their music has a lot more in common with Stratovarius and Rhapsody than Iced Earth and Jag Panzer.

2. Kamelot isn't cliched like many European power metal bands are. Sure, they sing about some of the same things (magic, dragons, honor, glory, knights, etc.). But even though vocalist Khan is from Europe, he commands the English language better than most European power metal lyricists. Kamelot avoids clumsy and cliched lyrics.

3. Though one reviewer here thinks vocalist Khan doesn't fit the music, Khan is still the best vocalist in all of power metal. Doesn't fit the music?!? Would you rather have a vocalist who tries to sing out of his range, mangles the English language and sounds like every other Euro power metal singer? No. Khan is a great singer (think Queensryche's Geoff Tate). He has range and is always in control of his voice.

4. Kamelot, though not really a progressive metal band, does have some prog touches here and there thanks to Khan. Khan's background as prog metal band Conception's lead singer and co-songwriter serve him well as a member of Kamelot. Khan's songwriting adds just enough difference to Kamelot's power metal base to make them stand out above the rest of the power metal norm.

5. Guitarist Thomas Youngblood. His playing style is awesome--equal parts thrash, speed and melody.

Karma, Kamelot's fifth studio album, may be the best album of 2001. It is every bit as good as Kamelot's previous disc, the Fourth Legacy. Every song is a highlight. Speed and power with just a hint of progressive is the Kamelot recipe.


Exquisite metal   February 26, 2002
sweepking (Mililani, HI)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Kamelot is a band that has grown on me the past few years. When I first heard their last cd, I was not blown away. However, upon subsequent listenings, I started to hear that they really are one of the better bands around. They have an exquisite refined sound that really shines through on this cd. They don't shred or play really intricate time signatures yet you can tell they are all very talented musicians. Their music is not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but they are also not quite as crazy as Dream Theater or Symphony X. Khan is a great singer and Thomas Youngblood has some really great, tasteful leads to complement some solid rhythm work. The other musicians are quite good too, especially keyboard whiz Miro. Standout cuts are Wings of Despair, the three part Duchess of Blood tracks, and the Highland song.


Another album another masterpiece.   November 16, 2004
P. Mendez (Miami, FL)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Kamelot – Karma

It’s fairly simple; if you haven’t listened to Kamelot then you are missing out on some of the best power metal today. This band mixes power, melodic, symphonic, and progressive elements seamlessly. While not sticking to the same sound of their previous effort “The Fourth Legacy”, they made what many fans consider their best album to date.

Song by song review

1. Regalis Apertura (01:57) - Instrumental intro leading to….. 5/10

2. Forever (04:08) - One of the best songs in the album. This is an instant classic. Great vocals by Roy, great drumming, great guitar work, great bass work and the beauty of it all is how it all blends together perfectly. 10/10

3. Wings of Despair (04:32) – A mid-to-fast-tempo song keeping the same momentum from the previous song. A great track. 9/10

4. The Spell (04:21) – Kamelot slows it down a notch here into another great song. Khan’s vocals shine again here as well as Casey’s drumming. You’d think this song might not work too well live but it does and surprisingly well. 9/10

5. Don't You Cry (04:18) - One of the many reasons I like Kamelot is because they can do ballads without being cheesy. An emotional song about the loss of a loved one. 8.5/10

6. Karma (05:13) – Te band speeds it up again for the title track and what a track it is! Another one of my favorites… So halfway through the album and still not a weak song yet! 10/10

7. The Light I Shine On You (04:15) – Another favorite. Once again Khan’s vocals are great and the lead is awesome too. 9/10

8. Temples of Gold (04:12) – Another ballad, another great track. No surprise, great emotion throughout and Khan shows how talented he is with emotional vocals 9/10

9. Across the Highlands (03:46) – And we speed it up again…. Another well balanced track. One of the faster songs in the album too. 8/10

10. Elizabeth Part I: Mirror Mirror (04:23) – First part of the trilogy..very emotional first track 9/10
11. Elizabeth Part II: Requiem For the Innocent (03:46) – Great lyrics in this one. I like how the song trilogy starts slow, in here it goes midtempo, and then the next song is fast. 9/10
12. Elizabeth Part III: Fall From Grace (11:02, but actually about 4:30) THEY TRICKED US! =] While the cd says its 11:02 it’s actually about 4 minutes but it doesn’t take away from being one of the best songs in the album. I will be redundant yet again: This track is great! 10/10

One of the best Kamelot albums as well as one of the best power metal albums. Kamelot shows they can play anything… fast, slow, midtempo, ballads, melodic, aggressive, epic, and progressive songs and excel in all. Intelligent lyrics, great vocals, awesome guitar playing, aggressive drumming, and grooving bass work, what more would you want in an album? I know! An album centered on Goethe’s Faust… This would be a 10/10 album if and only if they wouldn’t have released their next masterpiece… Epica.

Final: 9/10