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Kamelot are a band that is relatively new to me considering I just picked up "Karma" and "4th Legacy" at the same time. Not to say that I had never heard of them, which would be kind of hard considering there is quite a bit of talk surrounding this band. I had just never purchased any of their previous albums.

Kamelot are a power/prog band with a lot of symphonic elements incorporated throughout their music. I know exactly what your thinking, "Oh, how original" but to be honest this band offers a little more than you would expect. With the band name being Kamelot I was all set to hear your basic sword and sorcery lyrics along with the 16th note guitar rhythm but what I got was some really well played power metal that never once referred to dragons and knights as well as more than enough variety in the songs to make them easily distinguishable from each other.

There are quite a few highlights on this album so I will just have to start a little list…heh. Highlight #1 was the excellent guitar work. The riffs have excellent variety and never once give you the feeling that you have heard all of this before. Highlight #2 From what other people have told me about the band they were always mentioning the vocals and I do have to agree the vocals are really good. The best description I can come up with is a heavier version of Geoff Tate. Highlight #3 the orchestral arrangements are done absolutely perfectly. They never once get in the way of the song itself and really add an extra dimension to the music. Finally highlight #4 is the excellent lyrical content. Like I mentioned before I was all set for a power metal version of a bad Dungeons and Dragons story and surprise, surprise not one mention of a dragon anywhere. The final three songs are where the lyrics really differentiate themselves from most power metal. The last three songs are a trilogy about the true-life story of Elizabeth Bathory, a woman who killed people in order to bathe in their blood because she thought she would look young forever by doing so. Now I ask you, is that the normal lyrical content for a power metal band? I didn't think so either so I will have to give out bonus points in that respect as well…:).

The only bad thing I can really say about the album is the bonus track "Ne Pleure Pas". It is the same exact song as "Don't You Cry" but done in French which seemed really pointless as a bonus track. However, mentioning this is just me being picky.

Overall I would say this would appeal to any fan of power metal as well as those with just a passing interest in the genre. This is a really well done album with no real downside and well worth the purchase price.

Track by track

Regalis Apertura (Intro)-N/R
Forever-8.5
Wings of Despair-8.5
The Spell-8
Don't You Cry-7.5
Karma-8.5
The Light I Shine on You-8.5
-Elizabeth Trilogy-
I. Mirror Mirror-8
II. Requiem for the Innocent-9
III. Fall From Grace-9.5
Ne Pleure Pas (Bonus Track)-7.5