The Epica successor - but much more than just Epica II

With "The Black Halo" Kamelot have presented an impressive powerhouse that as "Epica" - is linked successor to its subject matter to Goethe's Faust, musical but not copying the success of the 2003 album, but has a very special charm and certainly sometimes the finest moments and demanding playful elements possesses that existed from the band so far. Guitarist Tom Youngblood plays much more solos than before; and all fit like a glove - a plus for True Metal fans, as well as the generally very heavy unusual gait of the album, see the brute power riffs that initiate MOONLIGHT and consistently impressive feats when it comes to rhythm guitar, which ennoble the compositions consistently. In addition, numerous arrangements more complex and sophisticated than ever and leave Kamelot are quite pass as Prog Metal Band: In songs like ABANDONED, MEMENTO MORI or SERENADE is changed skillfully unobtrusive between even and odd rhythms, as well as guitar, bass and drums in irresistible Always ensure tight interaction with impressive accents for perfect Drives. These elements reminiscent at times of bands like Vanden Plas, while Memento Mori with its dramatic chord progressions in the instrumental interludes to best Queensryche- recalls times. Kamelot is so long since anything but a simple Melodic Speed ​​Metal band with sing-along anthems. Of all the clichés, the exceptional talent from Florida removed with "The Black Halo" stronger than ever. Melodies like harmonies have become more difficult to predict and reveal in any further listening test ever new magical moments. The sumptuously expressive voice of vocalist Khan is to produce mysterious, used punchier to dramatic atmospheres profitable and versatile. He starts in the two emotional highlights of the concept album, the ballad ABANDONED and the complex 8:54 minutes long MEMENTO MORI, which is full of thrilling change, in very deep vocal range and also has numerous songs times a verse, sometimes a bridge all on its own and is only supported by exciting atmospheres and effects The excellent like on the previous albums, sophisticated orchestration is the icing on one of the most extraordinary and diverse metal albums in recent years:. time assist elegant Blechbläser- or string parts in the background with independent melodies harmonies, in a totally unobtrusive in the background, almost like a necessary echo of grandiose vocal melodies as in Soul Society, sometimes they make almost in Nightwish- style of monumental and highly dramatic moments, but so soon place make for a fun Can the band, as they were built and thus ensure at any time for overloaded atmospheres.
Overall, "The Black Halo" failed a bit darker than "Epica", which fits perfectly with the theme: protagonist Ariel has to endure the painful effects of his pact with Mephistopheles. Shaken in his belief in God, between his love for Helena and illusions torn represents him in the end seems to be the knowledge of good and evil and the courageous message to persevere. Cleverly have "Kamelot" to the events in "Epica" back by the same female guest voice in ABANDONED again "Helena's Theme" picks up from Vorgängeraöbum while the melody emerges instrumental again in moonlight and even more guest voices have their appearance. Cinzia Rizzo, which has been a guest on "The Fourth Legacy" in "Nights of Arabia" and "Karma" and "Epica" in Background- choirs, singing the Italian INTERUDE II - UN Assassinio MOLTO silenzioso; Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir are short the evil voice Mephisto in Memento Mori, and Simone Simons, lead singer of Epica (the band, not the Kamelot- album, of course), in The Haunting (Somewhere In Time) delivers a vocal duet with Khan that gets under your skin.
And also instrumental Kamelot have prominent amplification by keyboardist Jens Johansson Stratovarius- who with a great solo in opener MARCH OF MEPHISTO (surprisingly no speed breaker for entry into the album, but a bleak punchy border tension bulwark) for unsuspected tones on a Kamelot - makes music, and in WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE DOWN (magnificent Double bass Einheizer) delivers even a double solos with Tom Youngblood.
"The Black Halo" is hard to describe, because it integrates so many styles and variety offers. One could of epic, orchestral Melodic Speed ​​Progressive Power Metal talk ... or simply from Kamelot in perfection.