Welcome back to Throwback Thursday! This is the place where we get to indulge in nostalgia and wax poetic about excellent metal of years past. Today we mark TBT number 31 with a little American power metal. With Kamelot's impending release The Shadow Theory coming out this month, now is a perfect time a to reflect on one of the stand-out albums from their 26-year career.
KAMELOT'S Karma
Release Date: July, 2001
Record Label: Sanctuary/Noise Records
Karma is a highlight in the ever-growing discography of Kamelot. What is remarkable about Kamelot is that the band's sonic ambiance takes on a distinctly European appeal – energetic riffs, swaths of synthed-out interludes, over-arching and intent laden drama – and yet the band is from Tampa, Florida. The state, known more for it's sunshine, retirees, hot Latin scene, and notorious 'Florida man' antics, isn't the first place that comes to mind when one desires emotional, over-the-top symphonic metal. Here's the thing about Kamelot – they're globally massively popular and yet somehow they stay off of the American metal radar. How come? Despite touring with several headlining gigs across the states, Kamelot still doesn't whet the whistle of the average American metal connoisseur.
Could it be their flashy looks?
The band from the back cover of the Karma booklet
The back cover to the subsequent album Epica
The boys do wear their fair share of mixed textiles, but what metal band hasn't been accused of decking themselves out entirely in flashy black outfits?
Could it be their lack of presence in the metal community? Certainly not. The band was founded back in 1992 by Thomas Youngblood who is still an active member of the band. Kamelot is about to release their twelfth studio album, and have toured across the planet both headlining and with acts such as Nightwish, Delain, Battle Beast, Dragonforce, Firewind, Alestrom, and Iron Maiden. They're also played the stages at Wacken.
Could it be their lack of talent? Again, certainly not. Karma is a really solid effort through and through. If you were looking for a gateway drug into the high-octane, theatrical world of power metal, Karma is a fantastic place to start. The album is really well balanced and well produced. Miro and Sascha Paeth produced the album, and Paeth alone has worked for Rhapsody, Epica, Edguy, Avantasia and After Forever. No strangers to mixing huge power tracks, Paeth and Miro finesse song placement and soundscape integration very successfully on Karma. No one element out shines the other throughout the album, which is an impressive feat for a genre known for it's speed and huge vocals. Check out the title track which embodies this balance, "Karma":
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaY6DLTAEAM][/youtube]
Roy Khan is the vocalist for this album. Khan has since left the band, and many fans have missed his presence. His vibrato and tone are distinct and set Karma, and Kamelot, apart from many other power metal offerings. For the fans who miss Khan, you can check out his first-ever solo track here. Spoiler: It's a song about God's glory. In a recent article from blabbermouth.net, Khan sites his reason for leaving Kamelot as simply being burned out. However, there is a religious aspect to Khan that Youngblood suspects also fueled his decision to leave the band, but pauses before expanding upon that thought too much. As devout Christian, it seems that Khan is using his vocals to praise God these days, instead of singing about Elizabeth Bathory as he did on the tryptic of songs on Karma – Elizabeth I: Mirror, Mirror; Elizabeth II: Requiem for the Innocent; and Elizabeth III: Fall From Grace.
However, Karma has it's personal and vulnerable moments. Track "Don't You Cry" is supposedly a dedication to the father of Youngblood, who died when Thomas was still just a little boy. Be warned, the user comments on this video are tear-jerking, as many have sought this song as a catharsis for the passing of people in their own lives:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crZ3OMS-fBU][/youtube]
The most popular song and my personal favorite track off of the album is "Forever". Here is a live version of it featuring Khan:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqqPYySZnVY][/youtube]
The melody of the song is based a beautiful Scandinavian composition by Edvard Gieg. He's an orchestral version of "Solveig's Song":
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3N1yBEGbw][/youtube]
Kamelot is through and through symphonic power metal, and I just don't think American sensibilities are currently trending in this genre. Karma is a catchy album full of thoughtful melodic choices and flares of individual talent. Without beating around the bush, I could see how this album could be viewed as corny or as taking itself too seriously. For the most part, the album's lyrics focus on raw, pensive emotion mixed with dramatic imagery. The desperation of the emotions can come off as heavy-handed. However, some folks like that kind of thing. Additionally, the songs are extremely well-written and often integrate smart progressive moments. There isn't a dud track on the entire record. So, while this album isn't for everyone, I do think it's an often over-looked great recording.
