Recent Reviews

December 2024

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Kamelot: Haven
Kamelot - Haven CD Album Review

Kamelot: Haven

Progressive Power Metal
5.0/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter YouTube
Napalm Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 15.04.2015

There have been few metal bands as constant and consistent as Kamelot. In existence for nearly 25 years, they have delivered eleven studio albums, the latest being Haven. It's another Kamelot power house: melodic and progressive power metal wrapped up in a nearly cinematic symphonic soundscape.

Kamelot Haven Band Photo

Kamelot

Kamelot's musical tapestry has always been bold and bombastic. They don't so much want to crush with thier sound, but surround and overwhelm you, envelope you and make you a part of the music. They do this with the familiar parts. Large riffage, lush orchestral layers, the assertive and thundering rhytym section, Thomas Youngblood's fiery leads, Oliver Palotai's swirling synth solos, and Tommy Karevik's dramatic voice. However, as seems usual, excepting the more quiet parts, Karevik is not easily heard. Some of this comes from the symphonic power metal getting the upper hand in most arrangements. Having the lyrics handy, which I did not from the digital promo, will make a considerable difference in your listening experience.

Probably more significant is Youngblood and Kamelot's natural ability to bind those aforementioned elements in deliberate and infections melody and harmony. It's what continues to make the Kamelot sound both majestic and accessible. A good example is Veil of Elysium, a large, breathtaking number, which turns nicely on the melody of the chorus. Another is Insomnia where, from the start, the chord structure and symphonic layer are both leading and catchy. A good groove underneath builds early, complimented again by a fine harmony in the vocal arrangement and chorus. Sometimes, simply, Kamelot can be heavy and explosive as with Citizen Zero and Liar Liar, yet both have moments of contrast, subtle lightness that could be missed. Kamelot opts for more aggressiveness by adding some death metal vocals to the already heavy and charging tune Revolution. Alternatively, there are gentler moments as with Under Grey Skies. An acoustic and symphonic song which builds evenly to crescendo, it finds Karevik in duet with Charlotte Wessels from Delain. It's also the song that best displays Karevik's vocal depth. It's quite moving overall, my favorite song here. Hey, it's all good. Pure Kamelot: what you expect, but always creative and intriguing. Easily recommended.

Kamelot - Veil Of Elysium (Official Lyric Video)


Share This Review with Your Friends





CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

In Short

Haven is pure Kamelot: what you expect, melodic and symphonic progressive power metal but always creative and intriguing.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Powell-Payne: Voilá Album Review

The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]