Kamelot's released their latest album, "The Awakening", on March 17 2023 via Napalm Records. It comes five years after "The Shadow Theory".
Like most people, my history with Kamelot began in my teenage years, when I grabbed a copy of "The Black Halo" -and I'm going to be completely honest, I came for the clout of the guests (Simone Simons, Shagrath) but stayed for the music. Then-vocalist Roy Khan fascinated me with the warmth and expressiveness of his voice, and I admit I stuck around until his departure. I didn't fully pay attention to the couple of releases that followed "Ghost Opera" other than the occasional single, until I got to see Kamelot for the first time in 2017. Oh boy. Tommy Karevik blew me away with his imposing stage presence and his resonance, and the more I looked into his music endeavors, mainly with Ayreon, the more he mesmerized me with the depth of his talent. If you know me, you know I'm a(n obsessive) creature of habit but in this case, change was not only welcome, but a bet that paid off.
When album #13 was announced, I was quite curious. Having already spent an entire summer spinning the 2020 live album non-stop (sorry not sorry) my ears were eager to hear fresh music. Upon the first spin, "The Awakening" was exactly as I expected it to be: a Kamelot album through and through. The antemic opener "The Great Divide" swept me off my feet and I can only imagine how the song would sound at a live show, with the crowd singing along to every word. The band, being veterans of their scene, are able to create different dimensions in each and every song, allowing them to unfold their undeniable musicianship. From progressive, to more symphonic, to stripped-but-not-plain acoustic, every composition holds a unique and quite consistent character. Most songs are very memorable and could easily translate in a live setting -especially the more radio-friendly ones.
I think my main issue with "The Awakening" is -ironically- Karevik himself. While he's exploring his whole vocal range masterfully, there are times where we can hear a very familiar purr resounding; the stylizations of none other than Roy Khan. If anything, with every release Tommy sounds more confident in his sound, almost as if he's shedding Khan's overcast, so one would expect to really raise the stakes with this one. Such conformity would make sense if this were his first recording with Kamelot, but four albums in, not only does it sound off-putting, it feels like a step-back for such a charismatic vocalist.
Overall, as I mentioned above, "The Awakening" is a Kamelot album through and through. It is exactly what one would expect at this point in their career, encompassing all the trademark elements that make their music stand out; it's heavy and melodic, it's intense and vulnerable. Kamelot proved once more that they are seasoned songwriters and that they always seek to spice things up a notch while maintaining a musical integrity.
7.5/10
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