Kamelot - Epica (2003)

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Kamelot - Epica (2003)

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Like the title suggests, the new Kamelot album is very epic - probably more than any other album I've heard, more orchestrated, more dramatic. And it totally destroys the entire Kamelot catalogue, taken together! I'm dead serious here - the previous Kamelot albums were great, but hardly any match for the glowing brilliance of Epica. It's a conceptual album with 10 songs and 6 interludes, which help to create the atmosphere [and definitely succeed in it!]. These interludes are also the only chance for you to catch your breath, because ALL 10 songs on Epica are absolute mindblowing masterpieces with no single flaw. NEVER I've heard an album with all songs so equally brilliant and powerful, which capture you and don't let go until the end.

The lyrical concept of the album is quite complicated and loosely based on Faust by J.W. Von Goethe. The story revolves around three main characters - Ariel, who sets out on a journey to find the ultimate truth, Helena, his beloved, and Mephisto, devil disguised as a beautiful woman who tries to seduce Ariel.

The limited edition of Epica also contains a bonus track, Snow, which is just as perfect as any other song on the album, but doesn't quite fit the concept, which explains why it was left out.

It's always nice to hear an album with so much quality in it - I would've give it 11 of 10 if I could, and I never even was a big Kamelot fan. THE perfect album.

~ Ivan, Metalstorm Review

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Kamelot - Epica (2003)

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Kamelot:

Kamelot was founded in 1991 by guitarist Thom Youngblood and drummer/school mate Richard Warner but it took until August 1995 for their debut album, Eternity, to be released. Signing to Noise Records Germany in Spring 1994, fans and critics alike praised Kamelot as being one of the most promising newcomers in Metal. Their second album, Dominion, 1996, received even more attention, because it showed the variety of the band, spanning all the way from European metal to classical music and progressive. The fans and sales for Kamelot would grow over the year and the group was being touted as one the new leaders in Melodic Metal from the U.S.. Not resting on their laurels the group went back to work on their 3rd and most important release. But obstacles were ahead, Kamelot 1997, a year of major changes. After the success of Dominion, many tour opportunities came to Kamelot. Unfortunately, drummer Richard Warner and vocalist Mark Vanderbilt could not tour, and there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel for the two to ever tour. Kamelot's first goal was to find a new drummer. After one audition Casey Grillo was the man. Local music veteran at the age of 21, Casey was a perfect fit for the opening. After listening to between 75 and 100 audition tapes of vocalists the band was a standstill. A whole record had been written but no one worthy enough to grab the mic. Enter Norwegian born Roy Khan. Khan's former group, Conception, had split up the year before that was the genesis of the new Kamelot. Before he was taken on as a band member though he had to pass a final test, he had to skydive with the other members of Kamelot.

Apprehensive at first, he came through with flying colors. The Chemistry was perfect from the beginning and it is a great sign of what's to come from this union . New vocalist Roy Khan and drummer Casey Grillo were enlisted and the record "Siege Perilous" was now a reality. The record spawned great reviews from fans and critics led to the groups first tour of Europe in late 1998. Upon returning to there hometown of Tampa, Florida . The band decided to take some time off and write and relax. The journey for The Fourth Legacy would begin. This journey began in December 1998 after the Kamelot tour. Writing began in Tampa, Florida but after a month of work Thomas Youngblood decided to relocate to the mountains of Virginia to concentrate on songs get a different vibe for the record. After 3 months of ideas, Thomas traveled to the small village of Sorsgebyja, Norway in March 1999. Home of vocalist Khan. 3 weeks of isolation in the snowy village proved the songwriting team of Youngblood/Khan to be a new Force to reckon with. Now to find a producer, Sascha Paeth was first on the list. His work with Rhapsody and Angra called attention to Thom's wish list and a few phone calls later the deal was set. Final preproduction would need to done, where else but the home of Kamelot in Tampa Bay Florida. For a month the group worked out the kinks of the new songs with producer Sascha Paeth. Recording began in Wolfsburg Germany in August 1999 and continued til October. Choirs, real string sections and guest keyboardist Miro would round out the final songs to a beautiful blend. Mixing would be done over the next month and final mastering complete in November. The new record will set a new standard for Kamelot and the Melodic Metal genre.

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Kamelot - Epica (2003)

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Kamelot - Epica (2003)

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