There are in the region some Melodic Metal bands that often cross the border to kitsch and the Sound itself wears out after a few Hördurchgängen with me. I am thinking in particular of an Italian band that typically "Hollywood Metal" calls her style, or exponent of Finland, whose herumkreischt singers usually in unspeakable stratospheric height ... That is, of course (as everything else in the music ) a matter of taste, but to show that I'm not set releases of the genre uncritical. The new album by Kamelot moves namely in a totally different category! Sure, the Americans produce a bombastic, epic metal sound (see album title ...), and the melodies usually have a good recognition. Nevertheless threatens never drift into kitsch, because the sound altogether darker, but also more complex than for most other bands of the genre. In addition, Roy Khan is a really excellent singer who contributes a lot to the atmosphere (Who wants to hear more from Khan, should once listen to an album of the band "Conception" ...). "Epica" is a concept album that deals freely with the Goethe Faust theme. The story is interesting and musically excellent implemented. Highlights of the CD are the first two tracks "Center of the Universe" and "Farewell", the ballad "On the Coldest Winter Night" and - my favorite - "Lost and Damned", which offers even a tango rhythm. Schade has been "Helena's Theme" not extend anything else that two minutes are namely the bombastic on the whole album. So all in all an absolutely great album, for which I may make a full purchase recommendation. Not only Melodic Metal fans will be delighted, even fans of progressive bands like Symphony X or Dream Theater can not go far wrong with the new Kamelot in principle.
