Highest level, high standards - Dramatic as "Karma"

The speed metallers from Florida to the frontmen Thomas Youngblood (guitar) and the Norwegian Roy S. Khan (vocals) have continued the line of the previous album. With "Karma", the band had delivered a sophisticated and mature album with no rough edges - "Epica" is just perfect: no failures on the CD, a crystal clear production on a gigantic sound and instrumental and vocal performance at the highest technical level. Of course it is still to many up- tempo smashers full double bass and lightning-fast guitar riffs - on the question of how the band members since warmed before a gig, bassist Glenn Barry answered once with "beer", while drummer Casey Grillo at with weights must prepare the legs.
Kamelot are therefore their line remained loyal and are disappointed with the new album not a single fan - but many to gain: the epic component (as the title suggests it already) plays a major role. "Epica" is a concept album and is directed freely after Goethe's "Faust". Here the main character Ariel is looking for ultimate answers to questions of being. Because he does not expect any more help from God, he sold his soul to Mephisto, the devil. But He gambled his love for Helena, which kills their child after birth and with their guilt can not live. She dies and comes to God, while Ariel, however, is doomed to spend eternity with Mephisto and get out his human frailty before his eyes - he could not resist the temptation of Mephistopheles promises.
After the obligatory opened for Kamelot- albums Intro "Epica" with "Center of the Universe" is equal to a crusher in the best "The Fourth Legacy" - and "Forever" - tradition. The catchy song with his chopped Double bass passages and melodic chorus will probably keep very quickly into the must for live performances feeder - not least because of the dreamy Breaks in which Kahn's voice is supported by a guest singer, representing the figure of Helena.
With "Farewell" blends equal to the next hard metal song that stands out for its supercooled by keyboard sounds atmosphere.
"The Edge Of Paradise" is one of the strongest songs on the album: A driving and punchier rhythm in less rapid pace, a mystical melody line of Lead Guitar with oriental features, a great chorus, which is even highly modulated at the end - goose bumps guaranteed!
"Walking" is a ballad that starts quietly and evolved epic until it is powerfully supported by a keyboard soundscape. Khan's voice is powerfully expressed comes - never had better!
"Descent Of The Archangel", which begins with modern sounds and thus presents the variety in the work of the band, shows onomatopoeic features: For the first time speaks Mephisto and accordingly thrilling sounds the stanza. The chorus emphasizes with its descending melody line succeeded the theme of descending the Archangel.
"A Feast For The Vain" shows dramatically and monumental, also in relation to the topic: Mephisto and Ariel meet. Mephisto Chanting is the melody accented expression Ariel faced directly - a first dramatic highlight of the album.
"On The Coldest Winter Night" is again a dreamy ballad, typical of Kamelot with Khan's emotional pitch - fantastic and soulful.
"Lost and Damned" is one of the strongest passages of the album: an introductory, eerie atmosphere followed by a verse that - is accompanied by tango sounds - - really true ventured much and won everything: everything fits, the song is fantastic!
After "Helena's Theme", a short solo song for the female guest voice follows "The Mourning After": a stomping, ponderous rhythm, monstrous, almost brutal, straight as once "The Spell" - a successful change of mood.
"III Ways To Epica" closes the circle to the opener "Center Of The Universe": A fast double bass song; Khan Parts are each continued by the guest singer and as in the story of Ariel cries reciprocated by Helena's statements.
"Epica" is accurate, awesome, evokes images in the mind of the listener, is peppered with many musical influences, is easily digested, yet tinged progressive, sits at the first Hördurchlauf and there but each time to see more details.
The Limited Edition brings it with the bonus song "Snow" to 57 minutes and provides a tribal tattoo with Kamelot- symbol and a PC program: One is graphically very appealing out the "Castle of Camelot ', where a user interface for playing the CD is. In addition, there is an online shop, every album lyrics, a Gallery, a Biography and "The Secret Of Epica": If you click the treasure chest on, one arrives after a successful performance in a small quiz to an audio interview with Thomas Youngblood on the importance of the new album.